Mennetou-sur-Cher, Commune in Loir-et-Cher, France
Mennetou-sur-Cher is a medieval commune in the Loir-et-Cher department, situated along the Cher river in central France. Its historic center is still enclosed by 13th-century walls, with three round towers and three surviving gateways that once controlled access to the town.
The town was founded in the early 13th century under King Philippe II as a fortified settlement. Much of its defensive structure survived the following centuries largely intact, making it one of the more complete examples of medieval town planning in the region.
Since 1974, the village has had a group called the Tastandouillettes, dedicated to the local andouillette sausage. There is even a vending machine in the village where visitors can buy this specialty, showing how seriously locals take their food traditions.
The historic center is closed to cars, so visitors park outside the walls and enter on foot through one of the old gateways. Guided tours are available in summer, including evening walks by torchlight, and a guidebook in French, English, and Spanish can be picked up at the local tourist office.
One of the surviving gateways still has a working drawbridge dating from the 19th century, originally built to protect the town. A plaque near the Porte d'En-Bas records that Joan of Arc may have passed through here in 1429, adding an unexpected layer to an already old entrance.
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