Collégiale de Candes-Saint-Martin, Gothic collegiate church in Candes-Saint-Martin, France
The Saint-Martin Collegiate Church stands at the meeting point of Loire and Vienne rivers, featuring a sculptured facade with two rows of statues and a narthex.
The current church structure replaced an earlier 4th-century building and underwent fortification modifications during the 15th century following the Hundred Years War.
The church contains numerous religious artifacts, including medieval polychrome consoles, statues, tombstones, stained glass windows, paintings, and a decorated altar.
Visitors receive free documentation for self-guided tours of the church, with parking facilities available nearby and staff speaking both French and English.
The church entrance sits unusually on the north wall instead of the traditional west side, supported by a single column beneath a ribbed vault ceiling.
Location: Candes-Saint-Martin
Address: place de l'Église
GPS coordinates: 47.21120,0.07390
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:44
The Pays de la Loire region is full of lesser-known sites revealing the history and diversity of this western France region. Beyond the typical tourist routes, these sites provide an authentic insight into local heritage, craft traditions, and preserved natural landscapes. Among these destinations are castles like Brissac, the tallest in France, and the fortress of Tiffauges, associated with medieval legends. History enthusiasts will appreciate the Gallery of the Apocalypse Tapestry in Angers, a 14th-century textile work, or the Fontevraud Abbey, a remarkable monastic complex. Curious visitors will also find unusual sites such as the Passage du Gois, a tidal road connecting Noirmoutier Island to the mainland depending on the tide, and the Epinay Mill, still operational today. This selection also includes specialized botanical gardens, such as Camifolia in Chemillé, thematic museums dedicated to Jules Verne or early 20th-century rural life, as well as vineyards and manors surrounded by gardens. These locations, often frequented by locals, offer a different perspective for exploring the Pays de la Loire.
Fontevraud Abbey
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Château de Montsoreau
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Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art
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Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park
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Montsoreau Flea Market
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Varennes-Montsoreau Bridge
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The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes
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Château de Môh
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Château Vieux de Candes
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Windmill of La Tranchée
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Moulins à vent du Champ des Îles
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Île Boiret
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Confluence Beach
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Véron EcoMuseum
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Prieuré Saint-Lazare de Fontevraud
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Chapelle Saint-Benoît de l'abbaye de Fontevraud
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Musée d’art moderne de Fontevraud
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Cloître du Grand-Moûtier
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