The best walks and hikes around Saint-Patrice

Rigny-Ussé (37) - my childhood village of 500 inhabitants - is a French commune in the Indre-et-Loire department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. It brings together the churches of Notre-Dame de Rigny and that of Ussé. The commune of Rigny-Ussé is located on the left bank of the Indre, about ten kilometers east of its confluence with the Loire.

On the horizon, when the weather is clear, you can see the silhouette of the Château de Ussé. This fairytale castle has a magical appearance that overlooks the Indre and the Loire. It is so beautiful that it inspired Charles Perrault for his Sleeping Beauty. Triggered? Drive there and you will find yourself in a fairytale world. Young and old, immerse yourself in castle life and the scenes from this fairytale come to life before your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand, Le Nôtre and the Blacas family, who still live in this illustrious castle in the Loire Valley.

Bréhémont, a former annex of the parish church of Rivarennes, only became a parish in 1789. The church was built in 1843 in the neo-Gothic style. Three years later, five stained glass windows for the choir and the side chapels (bays 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) were ordered by the Parisian Émile Laurent, who had ties with Auguste Galimard and who had designed the plans. Source: https://patrimoine.centre-valdeloire.fr/gertrude-diffusion/dossier/IM37003094

Here you are in front of the 'Sleeping Beauty Castle'. Once upon a time there was a castle with a magical aura, overlooking the Indre and the Loire… so beautiful that it inspired Charles Perrault to write his Sleeping Beauty. Young and old, immerse yourself in castle life and the scenes from this fairy tale come to life before your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand, Le Nôtre and the Blacas family, who still live in this illustrious castle in the Loire Valley.

Once upon a time, there was a castle with a magical aura, overlooking the Indre and the Loire… so beautiful that it inspired Charles Perrault to write Sleeping Beauty. Young and old, immerse yourself in castle life and the scenes from this fairy tale come to life before your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand, Le Nôtre and the Blacas family, who still live in this illustrious castle in the Loire Valley. PREPARE YOUR VISIT: 2025 From 15 February to 31 March: 10am – 6pm. From 1 April to 30 September: 10am – 7pm. From 1 October to 11 November: 10am – 6pm. Prices: Adult (+ 16 years): € 14.50 Child from 8 to 16 years: € 7.50 Child (under 8 years): Free

You can park your vehicle here.

After the Blessed Virgin Mary, "Sainte MARIA MADELEINE" is the woman most frequently mentioned in the writings of the New Testament. Originally called "Mary of Magdala" after her place of origin on the Sea of Galilee, the name "Mary Magdalene" that is common today has evolved over time. According to the biblical accounts, she is one of the women and men who followed Jesus of Nazareth. According to the testimony of the evangelists, Mary Magdalene is also one of the three women who, after the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, wanted to anoint the body on Easter morning after the Sabbath rest, and the very first person who ever met the Risen Christ.

Overlooking the Indre and the Loire, Ussé stands majestically like a fairytale castle. Its history begins well before the construction of the current monument, under the leadership of Gelduin I who had the first stronghold built more than a millennium ago. A new building, more solid and more sumptuous, was built in the second half of the 15th century by Jean V de Bueil, victorious in the Hundred Years' War and captain of King Charles VII. The elegance and finesse of the Renaissance will soon further embellish the Château d’Ussé. Over the centuries, the rooms have been decorated and richly furnished. The visit allows you to discover, after passing through the entrance hall, a unique guard room: the splendid 17th century trompe l'oeil ceiling imitating marble covers a beautiful collection of weapons and oriental objects. The refinement of Ussé reaches its peak in the 17th century salon, a completely renovated room which bears the evocative name of Vauban, the famous Marshal whose daughter married the Marquis de Valentinay, son of the illustrious owner of the castle. Generations come and go while Ussé continues to tirelessly improve. The latest modifications date from the 19th century, when the Countess of La Rochejacquelin decorated the tops of the doors, installed the spiral staircase in the entrance hall and built a neo-Gothic gallery. The Château d’Ussé is a monument that leaves you dreaming both for its architecture and its history. The route along the walkway takes you into a completely different world: that of fantastic stories and fairy tales. Through beautiful depictions of wax figures, everyone is immersed in the world of Sleeping Beauty. We can of course see the fairy Carabosse, Prince Charming and the three benevolent fairies godmothers of Princess Aurore. A fun nod to Charles Perrault who, seduced by the Château d'Ussé, chose to make it the scene of his famous tale. The park of the Château d'Ussé is an exceptional setting, notably composed of the French garden designed by André Le Nôtre in 1664. In addition, the shadows of the cedars of Lebanon, offered by Chateaubriand to the Duchess of Duras in the 19th century, rub shoulders with the stones of the Sainte-Anne d'Ussé chapel can also be visited. Built between 1535 and 1538 at the request of Charles d'Espinay and Lucrèce de Pons, it retains an absolutely remarkable lintel. Ussé is a completely private estate belonging to the same family for more than two centuries. The Duke of Blacas invites you to browse the furnished rooms of his incredible home and to discover each year a new exhibition of costumes from various eras. From the underground to the attic, including the King's bedroom, the stables, the incredible grand staircase and the kitchens, this monument is an encouragement to delve into our history and to re-immerse ourselves in the most famous tales of our literature. .