Montbazon Town and Fortress

Begin your morning with a stroll through Montbazon's compact old town, where half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries line the lanes leading to the Porte des Moulins — the sole surviving medieval gate, dating from 1471. Peek inside the neo-Romanesque church Notre-Dame de la Bonne-Aide for its Lobin stained glass, and spot the curious town hall built on stilts over the former riverbed of the Indre. Then climb the rocky spur to the Montbazon Fortress, whose stone keep erected in 991 by Foulques Nerra is the oldest standing donjon in France. Costumed knights guide you through the 36-metre tower, ramparts, and underground passages, while artisan workshops let you try pottery, leather crafting, or axe throwing with your two included tokens. The fortress operates seasonally from April to September — weekends only in spring and autumn, daily in July and August — so check opening days before you go.