Montval-sur-Loir is a locality of Sarthe, Pays de la Loire region, on the borders of the department of Indre-et-Loire, 35 km south-east of Le Mans.
The city was created in October 2016 following the merger of the municipalities of Château-du-Loir (4648 inhabitants), Montabon (767 inhabitants) and Vouvray-sur-Loir (785 inhabitants), and now has about 6400 inhabitants.
Vital point of the Loir Valley tourist destination, at the end of a valley where flows the Loir, tributary of the Loire, close to the vast forest of Bercé, Montval-sur-Loir remains a crossroads to the prosperous economy (industry, services and vineyards).
A situation that has persisted since the early Middle Ages, Château-du-Loir was a strong disputed stronghold between French and English during the Hundred Years War before being the seat of a powerful seneschal directly dependent on the King of France until in 1789.
Despite the conflicts of the past, Château-du-Loir such as Montabon and Vouvray-sur-Loir (not to be confused with Vouvray in Indre-Loire) have preserved a historic and environmental heritage of quality. The visitors also have a leisure offer provided, which makes the new town, near other strongholds of tourism in the Loire Valley, a popular stop.
On both Château-du-Loir and Montabon and Vouvray-sur-Loir, a historical heritage of interest can lend itself to a circuit in the form of discovery.
It will start in Château-du-Loir by the Saint-Guingalois church, formerly attached to the Récollets convent. Built in the eleventh century, the church takes its name from the relics of Saint Guénolé that were preserved there. Several times remodeled, we notice his Gothic choir of the thirteenth century and his paneled nave of the sixteenth. The transept and the bell tower date back to the nineteenth century. The poet Pierre de Ronsard was prior there from 1569 to 1585 and during this period, the city was popular with the writers of La Pléiade.
Several other ancient buildings testify to the prosperity of the city during the Ancien Régime. This is the case of the manor Riablay built in the fourteenth century became a bed and breakfast and several mansions like the hotel Guillot de la Poterie (XVIII), the home Graslin (XVII), built for a councilor Henri IV, with a remarkable facade, or, of lesser construction, the hotel Maillard (nineteenth). In another style, near the Loir, troglodyte houses have been preserved.
On Montabon, the Church of St. Aignan is worth a look, with a nave of the eleventh century and a choir remodeled in the fifteenth. It is also on the territory of this former village that was built in 1891 a railway rotunda with a swing bridge. At the intersection of the Le Mans-Tours and Paris-Bordeaux lines, the site was used to sort the wagons and ensure their maintenance. Out of service since the 1950s, now classified, being restored thanks to the support of the Mission Bern and the participation of the Montabon Railway Rotunda Association, the site can be visited on a regular basis (inquire at +33 2 43 38 16 60).
In Vouvray-sur-Loir, finally, the church dedicated to Saint-Martin, dating from the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, deserves a detour.
Other sites can give rise to a rewarding visit, such as the amazing audiovisual museum and communication located on the Pôle Sainte Cécile in Château-du-Loir. We discover a collection of a thousand pieces retracing the evolution of audiovisual techniques (phonos, radios, TV) and communication in all its forms (sound, image, writing). The whole is presented thematically. Entry: 4 and 5 euros. Information on +33 6 09 72 17 88.
On Vouvray-sur-Loir, it is the site of the Moulin Pousset which turns out to be a museum with double vocation. On one hand you can visit the old grain mill of medieval origin, its equipment, its paddlewheel, the whole remains in good condition and can still produce flour. The site also hosts a museum of cinematographic projection tracing the history of cinema. Finally, a gallery of artistic exhibitions (free entry) and a pleasant park on the banks of the Loire are also accessible. Open weekends and holidays from Easter to September and all year for groups. Price: 5 euros for the mill, 5 euros for the museum or 8 euros for a group entry. Information on +33 2 43 46 90 24.
These different historic sites such as the green surroundings of the new town, the banks of the Loir and vineyards can give rise to many hiking or mountain biking. Brochures and information on +33 2 43 38 16 60.
For the sportsmen again, on Château-du-Loir, a city stadium, a skate park and tennis courts are available. Contact +33 2 43 79 56 35.
An aquatic center called "Plouf" also offers for swimming as the relaxation of covered pools, outdoor pools in summer, fun equipment. Entry 3 and 4 euros. Information on +33 2 43 38 09 53.
On the cultural level, quality shows (concerts, theater) are regularly scheduled at the Espace Henri Goude (information +33 2 43 79 47 97) and activities are offered at the library, in the old building of the Récollets, and as quality exhibitions in the vault of this former convent (contact +33 2 43 38 03 31).