The small town of La Chatre is located to the south-east of the Indre department, about 30 kilometres south-east of Chateauroux, the department 'prefecture' town, and within the Boischaut natural region that is well known for its association with the author George Sand.
Exploring La Châtre
There are several sites and buildings of interest to discover as you explore, and although a visit doesn't take long a detour is recommended when you are exploring the Indre. Your visit will start in the heart of the old town, where La Chatre has preserved several of its original medieval half-timbered buildings.
The most important of these is on the Place Laisnel-de-la-Salle and called the Maison Rouge, and dates from the 15th century. Unfortunately most of the windows were replaced with larger windows during the 19th century, but the style of the house remains intact, as does the ornate original doorway. Another important medieval house can be seen on the Place du Marché.
The Church of Saint-Germain in La Chatre dates from the 14th century although the church suffered damage during the Wars of Religion and was largely rebuilt in the early 20th century, with the work finished in 1904.
The main highlights are inside the church where you can see two (quite recent) stained glass windows and an interesting painted stone statue of the Pieta (the Virgin Mary and the body of crucified Jesus).
Be sure to also see the very old stone bridge called the Pont des Laies, with its two unequal stone arches across the river.
Perhaps the most imposing individual monument in La Chatre is the imposing square donjon, the remaining tower of the Chauvigny fortress and for a long time the local prison. The donjon now holds the George Sand Museum - George Sand was a prolific and highly regarded 19th century female author, with many documents that the enthusiast will find fascinating and also an exhibition of local paintings from the Vallée Noire.
You can also see the Carmes Convent and also a stone fountain called the Fontaine Sainte Radegonde. Ask for the leaflet with a suggested route in the La Chatre tourist office, which also highlights several other houses of historical interest.
If possible we suggest you visit La Chatre on a Saturday, when a weekly market is held in the Place du Marché, to see the town at its most lively.
Attractions nearby
Close to La Chatre at Lourouer-Saint-Laurent you can visit the renaissance style Chateau d'Ars, an attractive castle dating from the 14th-16th centuries. Although the castle is only open to the public when exhibitions are being held, these usually cover most of the months from May to October and typically showcase the work of local artists and photographers.
The Chateau de Sarzay can be seen a few kilometres west of the town. To the north of La Châtre you can see another castle in Saint-Chartier, and visit the house where George Sand lived in Nohant-Vic.
You can find more travel ideas in the Indre guide and the Loire Valley guide.
Arrange a visit to La Chatre
Hotels in La Chatre
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Map of La Chatre and places nearby
Visit near La Chatre with France This Way reviews
Nohant-Vic
The 18th century French manor house where George Sand lived is the main attraction in the village of Nohant-Vic
Nohant-Vic guide
Saint-Chartier
Take a stroll through the grounds of the castle here in the quiet town of Saint-Chartier
Saint-Chartier guide
Gargilesse-Dampierre
Gargilesse-Dampierre is a very small village, but also very pretty and in a lovely setting. Don't miss the frescoes in the church crypt!
Gargilesse-Dampierre guide
Chateauroux
A little remote from the main tourist routes, Chateauroux is quite a sprawling town but has some sites of interest in its historic centre
Chateauroux guide
Argenton-sur-Creuse
There are several churches of interest here in Argenton-sur-Creuse, and a very pretty walk along the banks of the Creuse river
Argenton-sur-Creuse guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Indre
Tourist classifications for La Chatre
La Chatre is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)
Address: Châtre, Loire Valley, 36400, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.583056, longitude 1.987778
Plan your visit to La Chatre, Indre
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- George Sand House: national monument (5 km)
- Jardin du domaine de George Sand: remarkable garden (7 km)
- Neuvy-Saint-Sépulchre collegiale St Etienne (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (14 km)
- Jardins du prieuré Notre-Dame-d'Orsan: remarkable garden (19 km)
- Eglise de Saint-Georges (Saint-Jeanvrin): religious monument (19 km)
- Les jardins artistiques de Drulon: remarkable garden (31 km)
- Eglise de Saint Martin (Ineuil): religious monument (32 km)
- Jardins du château d'Ainay-le-Vieil: remarkable garden (33 km)
- Chateauroux: ville fleurie 4* (33 km)
- Eguzon-Chantome: village d'etape (35 km)
- Jardin-arboretum de La Sédelle: remarkable garden (35 km)
- Pierres Jaumetres: site of natural beauty (37 km)
The French version of this page is at La Chatre (Francais)