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Le Grand Pressigny
The village of Le Grand Pressigny (10
mins.) with its chateau ruins and prehistoric
history is not only a destination for Palaeontologists but also the
discerning tourist. The village has a charm of its own plus all the
practical features of an active
community such as a pharmacist,
doctor, butcher, baker, grocer, bookshop, flower shop, hairdresser
and hardware store.
There is a choice of restaurants with different
set price menus all of which are very good value for money.
There are a couple of typical
French bars one with the untypical name 'The Pre Histo'
to link to the town's palaeontology history !
Market
day here is Thursday (am) with great choice of fresh
veg. and fish.
It
has a very good tourist office in the centre of the village giving
information on the delights of the Loire Valley, Touraine and also of
its close neighbours in the nearby department of Vienne.
The town throws up a few
surprises as you walk around it, no matter what time of
year,like, --Spring by the river --the Summer sun behind the
chateau --
the wild flower field
behind it in Autumn -- the narrow streets
sheltering
from Winter.
There is a heated Municipal swimming
pool by the campsite on the outskirts of the village It has a
standard pool plus paddling pools for younger swimmers. It is
open from the end of June to the end of August from mid morning,
though as with most things in France, closes at lunchtime!
The Chateau:
The
quality of its architecture and gardens make the chateau an
interesting place to visit. The keep, built at the end of XIIth
century was later enhanced by a strong defensive enclosure with
towers.
The chateau was restored around 1560 by Honorat de Savoie, a
loyal lord to the Kings of France. The arcaded gallery built
during the wars of religion around the main courtyard shows the
care devoted to this restoration. There is a panoramic view from
the top of the Vironne tower
The Museum:
Photo: Matthias Rummer, 2002
The chateau also contains the
The
Palaeontology
Museum
located in a more recent (17th
century) building. The reason for its location here is that
Prehistoric man lived in this area for four hundred thousand
years, attracted by the abundant high-quality flint which could
be fashioned into
superb tools
.  Their reputation spread to other countries; in the later Neolithic
age large blades were exported, particularly to the
Alps.
Models, an interactive display and videos complete the exhibition
and give much information on the life of prehistoric man.
The chateau was restored around 1560 by Honorat de Savoie, a
loyal lord to the Kings of France. The arcaded gallery built
during the wars of religion around the main courtyard shows the
care devoted to this restoration. There is currently extensive
works going on at the chateau.There is a panoramic view from
the top of the Tower Vironne.
When visiting Tours pop into the The Hôtel Gouin
on Rue de Commerce as it also gives some details of the
importance of both here and nearby Barrou to
palaeontologists.
The building itself is worth a look.
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