Visit the troglodyte caves near Tours
Photographie: Pierre Thomas
A few kilometers from Tours, the troglodyte caves of Touraine are a fascinating underground heritage site.
Carved from tuffeau, a limestone typical of the Loire Valley, these galleries dug into the hillside are a testament to ancestral expertise.
Long used as dwellings, shelters, or storage areas, they now welcome numerous visitors and wine lovers.
Discover a unique outing during your stay in Tours.
The Tours region boasts a large number of troglodyte sites open to the public, each with its own specialty.
Twenty minutes from Tours, discover the large cellars of Maison Lacheteau, carved over 3 km of tuffeau stone on the banks of the Loire. Formerly a quarry and then mushroom farm, they now house the production of fine Loire sparkling wines.
You'll learn more about the traditional secrets of winemaking and can taste local wines in a sumptuous mineral setting.
Take the opportunity to do some shopping at the cellars' boutique.
📍 Address: Maison Lacheteau - Grandes caves Saint-Roch - 65 quai de la Loire 37210 Rochecorbon
⌚ Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
💶 Prices: €5. Free for children under 12.
An emblematic cellar in Montlouis-sur-Loire, about 30 minutes from Tours, Maison Laudacius is recognized as a Cellar of Excellence.
It brings together 15 winemakers who will offer tastings of their unique Chenin Blanc grape variety.
The tour is conducted with an audio guide, followed by a wine tasting.
📍Address: Maison Laudacius, 2 route de Saint-Aignan, 37270 Montlouis-sur-Loire
⌚Hours: Open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
💶 Fees: Free
Discover this 12-hectare family estate, established in the 18th century, where a passion for wine has been passed down from generation to generation.
The Cathelineau family welcomes you for an educational tour of the cellars, accompanied by a tasting of Vouvray wines: dry, semi-dry, sweet, and sparkling.
A short detour will take you to the Vine, Wine, and Cooperage Museum in the troglodyte cellar.
📍Address: Caves Cathelineau, 24 rue des violettes, Vallée du Vau, 37210 Chançay
⌚Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
💶 Fees: Free
Troglodyte cellars are not only geological curiosities; they also have the ability to preserve wine at the right temperature and with a humidity level that varies little.
They also tell the story of Touraine.
In summer, you'll particularly appreciate their coolness for wine tasting.
A practical tip: bring a sweater; the temperature in the cellar remains cool all year round, around 12°C!
Stay at the Best Western Plus L'Artist Hotel in downtown Tours and enjoy the treasures of Touraine.
Our 53 rooms are air-conditioned and offer all the comforts of a four-star hotel.
Park your car in the hotel garage (for a fee).
If you're visiting in summer, don't miss a visit to the open-air cafés along the Loire.
Carved from tuffeau, a limestone typical of the Loire Valley, these galleries dug into the hillside are a testament to ancestral expertise.
Long used as dwellings, shelters, or storage areas, they now welcome numerous visitors and wine lovers.
Discover a unique outing during your stay in Tours.
Troglodyte caves near Tours: a unique heritage carved from tuffeau stone
The Tours region boasts a large number of troglodyte sites open to the public, each with its own specialty.
The Grands Caves Saint-Roch in Rochecorbon
Twenty minutes from Tours, discover the large cellars of Maison Lacheteau, carved over 3 km of tuffeau stone on the banks of the Loire. Formerly a quarry and then mushroom farm, they now house the production of fine Loire sparkling wines.
You'll learn more about the traditional secrets of winemaking and can taste local wines in a sumptuous mineral setting.
Take the opportunity to do some shopping at the cellars' boutique.
Practical Information
📍 Address: Maison Lacheteau - Grandes caves Saint-Roch - 65 quai de la Loire 37210 Rochecorbon
⌚ Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
💶 Prices: €5. Free for children under 12.
The Cellars of Maison Laudacius
An emblematic cellar in Montlouis-sur-Loire, about 30 minutes from Tours, Maison Laudacius is recognized as a Cellar of Excellence.
It brings together 15 winemakers who will offer tastings of their unique Chenin Blanc grape variety.
The tour is conducted with an audio guide, followed by a wine tasting.
Practical Information
📍Address: Maison Laudacius, 2 route de Saint-Aignan, 37270 Montlouis-sur-Loire
⌚Hours: Open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
💶 Fees: Free
Cathelineau Cellars in Chançay
Discover this 12-hectare family estate, established in the 18th century, where a passion for wine has been passed down from generation to generation.
The Cathelineau family welcomes you for an educational tour of the cellars, accompanied by a tasting of Vouvray wines: dry, semi-dry, sweet, and sparkling.
A short detour will take you to the Vine, Wine, and Cooperage Museum in the troglodyte cellar.
Practical Information
📍Address: Caves Cathelineau, 24 rue des violettes, Vallée du Vau, 37210 Chançay
⌚Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
💶 Fees: Free
A Dive into Local History
Troglodyte cellars are not only geological curiosities; they also have the ability to preserve wine at the right temperature and with a humidity level that varies little.
They also tell the story of Touraine.
In summer, you'll particularly appreciate their coolness for wine tasting.
A practical tip: bring a sweater; the temperature in the cellar remains cool all year round, around 12°C!
Plan your stay in Tours
Stay at the Best Western Plus L'Artist Hotel in downtown Tours and enjoy the treasures of Touraine.
Our 53 rooms are air-conditioned and offer all the comforts of a four-star hotel.
Park your car in the hotel garage (for a fee).
If you're visiting in summer, don't miss a visit to the open-air cafés along the Loire.
