PRE-HISTORY IN THE SOUTH LOIRE REGION
This is a wonderful place for ancient history buffs.
The plain around Descartes in South Touraine is famous for exceptional quality flint. Tools carved from this found their way all over Europe during the Neolithic and Paleolithic eras.
Many of these tools can be seen in the Musee Departemental de Prehistoire (Touraine’s Museum of Prehistory) in the 12th-16th-century Chateau Du Grand-Pressigny.
When you enter the village of Le Grand-Pressigny, follow the signs to the Chateau, up winding narrow roads behind the castle. Park just outside, and walk across the drawbridge over the empty moat. The entrance fee of €4.50/adult is well worth it. What’s left of the castle is interesting anyway, but really fascinating are the prehistoric collections. To the right of the entrance gate is a wonderful collection of, mostly, fossilized shells, but also bones, teeth, and wood. In the old Great Hall in the main building of the castle is the Museum. It’s superbly done with dioramas, and paintings of life as imagined at that time, with items in large cases telling the story of man in this area from very long ago, to the Bronze Age. Some truly wonderful arrowheads of polished jasper merit a visit for themselves!
Climb the watchtower, the Tour Vironne, for a great view of the total layout of the castle, and across town to the valley’s fields. It’s a fascinating place, and although not rated as one of the “biggies” it should be. It’s one of the biggest and best such collections we’ve ever seen.
From the N10, south of Ste-Maure de Touraine, cut across east to Descartes and then on D750 to Abilly and 5km further, Le Grand Pressigny.
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