Tavant travel guide

Visit Tavant (Centre-Loire Valley, France)

The small village of Tavant is situated about 11 kilometres south-east of Chinon in the Indre-et-Loire department (in the Centre region).

Exploring Tavant: the medieval church and frescoes

It would be easy for this small village to go unnoticed. It falls within the Regional Natural Park of Loire-Anjou-Touraine and has towns such as Chinon, picturesque villages including Montsoreau and Crissay-sur-Manse, and the castles at Langeais and Villandry all within easy reach...so visitors are not usually struggling for things to see!

However we suggest that you find the time to visit Tavant when you are in the region, in particular to visit the church in the village.

The Church of Saint Nicolas in Tavant has been on the list of historic monuments since October 24, 1914. It is a roman style church, dating from the 12th century, and has remarkable wall paintings in the choir and in the crypt.

The 27 frescoes in the crypt, unique in the world, date from the middle of the 12th century. These frescoes were rediscovered in 1862 and restored in 2012 in order to reveal all their original colour.

The influence of the East and in particular the Byzantine art, is recognisable in the frescoes because of the pictorial style. Some of the iconographic subjects represented are still an enigma, while others among them are more identifiable, such as the representation of the Biblical events such as the descent into hell, the scene of temptation, and the Descent from the Cross.

Guided tours of Tavant church and crypt are conducted throughout the year to enable the public to discover this mysterious place. For more information, including visitor information and opening hours, contact the Town Hall or see Tavant church.

This information was in part supplied to us by the Mairie of Tavant.

Attractions nearby

A short distance east of Tavant you can visit the village of Crissay-sur-Manse, a very small village but pretty to visit when you are here, and a similar distance to the west you can visit the Chateau de Rivau. These three places together make for a pleasant excursion from the Loire Valley.

Not much further and you can visit Chinon with the Château de Chinon and the castle and village at Azay-le-Rideau: both of these are very charming, and the town of Chinon is among our favourites in the Loire Valley.

You can find more travel ideas in the Indre-et-Loire guide and the Loire Valley guide.

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Map of Tavant and places nearby

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Chateau du Rivau

One of the more modest castles in the region, both the Chateau de Rivau and its associated gardens are very pleasant to explore

Chateau du Rivau guide

Crissay-sur-Manse

Explore the lovely stone houses and narrow streets in the tiny village of Crissay-sur-Manse

Crissay-sur-Manse guide

Chateau de Chinon

Château de Chinon retains more medieval elements than most Loire Valley castles

Chateau de Chinon guide

Chinon

As well as the castle, Chinon has a very impressive medieval centre to explore and lovely river views

Chinon guide

Chateau d'Ussé

The imposing Chateau d'Usse, next to the Loire, is an imposing medieval-renaissance castle surrounded by gardens and park

Chateau d'Ussé guide

Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau

Not the most luxurious or largest castle in the region, it is the beauty and waterside location that gives the Chateau d'Azay-le Rideau its special charm

Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau guide

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Indre-et-Loire

Address: Tavant, Île-Bouchard, Chinon, Loire Valley, 37220, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 47.1249, longitude 0.3889