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A must-see: the Happy-culteurs of Champigny sur Veude (the station).

Integrated into the landscape of the Châteaux du Val de Loire, the Château du Rivau is a medieval fortress built in the 15th century from foundations dating back to the 13th century. Le Rivau is renowned for its stables from the 15th century when they were still only made of wood. Knowing its reputation for its steeds, Joan of Arc stopped at Rivau and came to look for combat horses in 1429 before joining the siege of Orléans. But the castle is especially famous for its gardens (labeled “Remarkable Garden”) evoking legendary tales and stories. Hidden behind a tree-lined enclosure, it is partially visible from this side of the road.

The Notre Dame church was built in 1635 by Pierre Le Mercier.

Park Richelieu

Built in the classical style between 1633 and 1639 under a plan directed by Cardinal Richelieu from 1631. Built in the Italian style, it was adapted to French taste by architects and builders Pierre and Jacques Lemercier.

The Sainte-Chapelle de Champigny-sur-Veude was built in Champigny-sur-Veude from 1499 and mainly during the first half of the 16th century; it is one of the seven holy chapels. The neighboring castle was unfortunately destroyed by Richelieu in 1635, who felt that it was overshadowing his castle which was under construction. Today, only the old outbuildings remain. One of the last vestiges is this magnificent royal chapel, saved by the Pope because it had the status of Sainte-Chapelle and housed the Holy Relics of the Passion of Christ. Founded in homage to Saint-Louis, it consists of a four-bay nave and a triumphal arch portico. The nave has 11 huge stained glass windows, each 8 meters high, whose remarkable stained glass windows retrace the life of Saint-Louis, from his coronation in Reims to his death. They were offered by Claude de Longwy to Louis II and Jacquette de Longwy for their marriage in 1538.

The Château de Champigny-sur-Veude was built from the 16th to the 17th century by order of Louis de Bourbon, Prince of La Roche-sur-Yon. It has largely disappeared today, only the old outbuildings, the current "castle" and the Sainte-Chapelle remain. The original fortress was built in 1090 by Fulk IV of Anjou. In 1635, Cardinal de Richelieu, who had built a property nearby and who was worried about the superior influence on his castle, bought it and ordered the total destruction of the castle. Only the outbuildings and the Sainte-Chapelle escaped this destruction thanks to the intervention of Pope Urban VIII, who had officiated there a few years earlier. They constitute the remains that we can admire today.

A hiking trail takes you around the lake while a bird observatory helps you recognize the species that frequent the lake and its surroundings. The fish farming complex of Assay is made up of a large 33 ha pond, created at the beginning of the 17th century, as well as an 11 ha wetland made up of small ponds used for pike farming. Its large surface of water and the presence of a vast reedbed make it an important site for the nesting and wintering of birds. The adjoining wetland is home to remarkable flora and many protected insects such as the southern damselfish.