Meung-sur-Loire

Meung-sur-Loire

The Loire-side town of Meung-sur-Loire benefits from a privileged geographic position: to the north lies the agricultural region of Beauce and to the south starts the remarkable Sologne forest. Its historic centre is curled around the Collegiate Church, the Château, a medieval door referred to as “Porte d’Amont” and the Place Martroi, livened up every Sunday by a colourful market.

In Gallo-Roman times, the town was called Magdunum, a term meaning “fortified market” through a the presence of a fortress. Its inhabitants are called “Magdunois” and “Magdunoises”.

Interesting features of the town

# Historic heritage

THE MEDIEVAL TOWN

The medieval town offers its charm and elegance. Stroll through its old streets lined with half-timbered and stone houses and let the soft babble of the Mauves (small rivers crossing through the town) soothe you. The town has retained many classified ancient monuments.

• The Saint-Liphard Collegiate church houses the relics of Saint-Liphard, a cousin of Clovis, who had come to live as a hermit in Meung-sur-Loire in the 6^th century. Its architecture mixes both the Romanesque style with its famous 11^th century porch tower and the Gothic style with the height of the nave and the development of circular transepts, a unique feature in the Loire valley.

• The Porte d’Amont: built in the 13^th century, it was the main door to the city when the latter was still surrounded by ramparts.

• The mills: Meung-sur-Loire is a unique site in France with its 37 water mills still visible for a basin extending over 8.40 kilometres.

THE CHÂTEAU DE MEUNG-SUR-LOIRE

The Château de Meung-sur-Loire is one of the largest and most ancient châteaux of the Loiret department and was once the prestigious residence of the Bishops of Orléans until the French Revolution.

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LA MONNAYE CULTURAL CENTRE

The Cultural Centre of Meung-sur-Loire is named “La Monnaye” as a tribute to the function performed on this spot by the “Maison de la Monnaie” (money house) in the 17th century, where a copper coin, “Liards”, were minted. It is made up of three permanent exhibition spaces.

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# Natural site

THE “JARDINS REMARQUABLES”

Two public gardens with the “Jardins Remarquables” label (remarkable gardens) are present in Meung-sur-Loire: the Jardins de Roquelin and the Jardin Arboretum d’Ilex. These green havens will offer you a true bucolic break and will not fail to surprise you!

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THE MAUVES

These man-made streams extend over 42 km and cross through Meung-sur-Loire to drain into the Loire river, in Baule.

THE DEPARTMENTAL NATURAL PARK DES COURTILS ET DES MAUVES

This park takes its name from the old gardens where vegetables used to be cultivated (“Courtils”) and the small rivers (“Les Mauves”) criss-crossed by many walkways. The northern part of the park is characterised by a wetland, comprising a willow and poplar forest. To the south, the Mauves converge into a single arm. There is also a reed bed, forming a good shelter and nesting place for the local fauna. The prairies are home to meliferous flora. Grazing sheep keep the grass coverage low and ensure a large diversity of insects.

Major events

• Elles au Centre, in March
• Festicolor, late May or early June
• La Fête du Pont, late August
• Gaston Couté Festival, last weekend in September

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Available in the town