In the heart of Savonnières village, you will find the Fountain’s Mill. According to the archives of the village, the mill exists since 5th century (Testament of St Perpet but this text is probably from 17th century).
The archbishop of Tours pointed out the mill in 1365. At the time, the mill was the Lord of Savonnieres property then from 1532 to the Lord of Colombiers (ex name of Villandry). From 1791, the Mill has several owners.
The older part of the mill was independent of the others parts. It could date from 13th century or 14th century.
The Mill was out of order in 1949. The wheel of 7 meter of diameter has disappeared.
The hydraulic system is original : the little stream which have its source at the place “les Fontaines” feeds a water reserve.
Visit only on booking.

Contact : Mr. Deffontaines
Le Grenier du Moulin
10 bis rue du Paradis – 37510 SAVONNIÈRES
Cell phone : +33.6.19.76.33.71
Web Site : http://legrenierdumoulin.pagesperso-orange.fr
Email : legrenierdumoulin@wanadoo.fr

The first church, built towards 480 by the holy bishop Perpet, was made up only of one nave covered with thatch. It underwent modifications in XII^th , XIII^th and XV^th centuries. In 1516, Jacques de Beaune, Lord of Ballan expanded the church and made further modifications (heightening of the vault and construction of the choir). The splendid central stained glass window was offered by Jacques de Beaune and his wife, Jeanne Ruzé in 1516. The choir shelters three bells dating from 1647, 1872 and 1881.

The Barn is built on 2 meter high artificial hillock, which isolates it of the waters of the Loire or of the Cher. The walls were built between XIIth and XIVth centuries. The products stored in this tithe barn ensured the provisioning of the Saint Martin's abbey of Tours. The goods were then transported by boat from the harbours of Berthenay and Portoville to Tours. The whole of the frame, made up of seven firms, impresses by its not very common dimensions.

The Manor of Becthière was built in XVème century. The building’ structure is flanked by large turrets in corbelling with three of its angles - the fourth turret was destroyed at the time of later work. The central door of the principal frontage was redesigned during the XVII^th century. At the same time a staircase with right slope and with profiled balusters is assembled in the hall. Today, the manor shelters a convalescent home.

The Ballan-Miré water mill was built on the Cher in 1513 by Jacques de Beaune, baron de Semblançay, when he moved into the Carte Castle. The Large Mill, intact for four centuries, has been the only authentic testimony of the masonry of Jacques de Beaune.