Saint Denis de l’Hôtel…

A charming French village, alongside the river Loire

Our village ...... 2 Leisure & culture ...... 3 Strong in sports ...... 4 Water, still or running ...... 5 All year around, the 4 seasons of Saint Denis de l’Hôtel ...... 6 Spring ...... 6 Summer ...... 6 Autumn ...... 7 Winter ...... 7 What to do and see while visiting us ...... 8 Close proximity ...... 8 Within a 20 miles radius ...... 8 A bit further away ...... 8

Website: www.ajsdh.fr Phone : +33 6 80 91 58 61 Email: [email protected] 1

Our village Located in the department of ‘’, that is part of region ‘Centre’, close to the ‘Chateaux de la Loire’ area and at the doorstep of ‘la Sologne’, our village sits on the right bank of the Loire river, about 20 kilometers east from Orléans, the regional capital. The village hosts a population of almost 2900 inhabitants, named Dionysiens & Dionysiennes, scattered on a 7700 acres (2600 hectares) area, part of the renowned Val de Loire, registered in 2000 to the UNESCO World Heritage. We enjoy a very pleasant continental climate, our region is very much open to tourism, and we have nearby the ‘forêt d’Orléans’, the largest forest in .

our town hall, yesterday… … and today!

our riverside, yesterday… … and today!

Saint Denis de l’Hôtel is easy to reach: a highway puts us only 90 minutes from Paris, an expressway brings us from Orléans in 20 minutes, a bridge over the river takes us to and the Sologne wilderness, and the Orléans airport is located on our grounds make possible further trips. In the past, Saint Denis de l’Hôtel has had a long tradition of wine production, and transportation over the river; today, our interest lays more on cultural heritage, natural environment, a renovated city center, a growing potential for business and agriculture, and very impressive sports facilities.

Website: www.ajsdh.fr Phone : +33 6 80 91 58 61 Email: [email protected] 2

Leisure & culture The landmark of our village is undoubtedly Maurice Genevoix, member of the French Academy since 1946, elected perpetual secretary as of 1958, and also very prolific writer and poet, with a total of 56 books written during his long life 1890-1980. He won a few important awards such as the Goncourt prize (Raboliot, 1925), the Blumenthal prize (Remi des Rauches, 1922), and the National Gran Prize for his overall production (1974). We have two places in Saint Denis de l’Hôtel that relates to him: the Maurice Genevoix museum, located next to the church and set within a former wine house, displaying numerous pictures, books, press clips and artifacts on Maurice Genevoix life and works; and his house in Les Vernelles where he lived until the end of his life.

Maurice Genevoix museum Maurice Genevoix His house in les Vernelles

Right behind the Maurice Genevoix museum is our church. Built during the 12th century, demolished in 1567, rebuilt then on until 1637 (date engraved above the main entrance), what make that church unusual is that it has no pillars inside, the whole roof, made of chestnut wood and looking alike an upside down boat skeleton, is just held by the side walls.

Quite long time ago, around the 17th century, the river was heavily used for transportation by water, Saint Denis de l’Hôtel had a harbor to handle the commercial traffic (wine, vinegar, wood, bells…). It was high, but ceased with the advent of railways in the early 1900’s. As part of the revival of that place, an association is actually building a replica of an ancient wash-boat (see pictures on the front page).

We also have the Chateau de Chenailles, a 16th century castle set in the middle of woods at the outskirts of the village, used to host several kings of France for short stays. It is said that the famous Henri the 4th once had an argument with duchess Gabrielle d’Estrée, so bad that she rushed out thru the wood, taking refuge in a village nearby (Châteauneuf) in a house now called the ‘belle-sauve’ (the beautiful escapee); she lost one of her boots during that run, boot that is today on display at the museum. Privately held and therefore closed to visitors, it is a nice place to walk by, not only for its size as a private property, but also due to the history behind it. We also have a public library where books can be borrowed on loan, a multipurpose public room, and a municipal park that is quite large with a playground for small children, a cascade, shrubs and trees, and a walking path alongside the river.

Chenailles castle Playgrounds in park Henri Coullaud Multipurpose public meeting room

Website: www.ajsdh.fr Phone : +33 6 80 91 58 61 Email: [email protected] 3

Strong in sports Saint-Denis-de-l’Hôtel is very strong in sports, due to the combining of well-designed infrastructures, very dedicated help of volunteers and professional support of trainers and managers. This provides for a wide array of disciplines attracting not only lots of inhabitants but also many people from neighboring villages. To this end, Saint Denis de l’Hôtel was recently once again nominated as the ‘most sporty village of the Region Centre’, with a number of registered sports members almost equal to the overall number of inhabitants! Many types of sports can be practiced throughout numerous indoor and outdoor places: - A gymnasium for basket-ball, martial arts, badmington, archery, fencing, and some school activities - Multiple soccer fields - Both indoor and outdoor tennis courts - Pétanque (small iron bowls) fields - An olympic size cycling ring, with a 333 meters track - An airfield allows, in addition to handling small commercial flights, for parachuting, flight training, model aircrafts & helicopters flying…

In addition to on-going practice, several of these sports have had departemental, regional, national and even international tournaments or championships organized in Saint Denis de l’Hôtel; as an example, a France / Ukraine soccer game for the 18-years teams old was organized in 2009. Also in 2009 was the local fencing team named ‘best fencing team in France’. In July 2011, the France cycling championship will be organized on our premises.

Entrance to the city stadium covered tennis courts covered multipurpose sports arena

2004 awards ‘most sporty city in the Olympic-size cycling ring region’

soccer fields and the a winner is… fencing

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Water, still or running Saint Denis de l’Hôtel sits alongside the longest (1013 kilometers) and nicest river in France; it starts in Mont Gerbier-de-Joncs in Massif Central, and runs up to Nantes where it merge with the Atlantic Ocean. Up to the middle of 19th century, many boats were navigating the river to carry people and goods of all kinds: building materials, coal, wood, linen & fabric, anchors, salt, hay and wine, people and materials. Ships were characterized by of flat bottom, and a large square sail to benefit from eastward winds hanging off a high mast that could be taken down to pass under bridges. By 1840, the train started replacing ships to carry passengers whilst transport of goods lasted a bit longer. A local association, Ancre & Loire, rehabilitates such boats, maintaining the tradition in terms of building techniques and materials.

The river was often called ‘Royal River’, due to the large number of castles that were built directly on its banks – Sully, , Meung sur Loire, , , Chaumont, , , Ussé, all those in Région Centre, – and where members of royal families had spent time therein. Described as the last wild river in France, it is a lush of beautiful scenery and rich natural environment. With large meanders, vast sandy islands and alluvial forests, the is multiple and changing. The entire river has been registered as a Site of Community Importance of the European network Natura 2000, to protect its fauna and flora, as well as places of passage for migratory species. Historically, the river, nearby streams and adjacent ponds like ‘la fosse aux blancs’ in our village have attracted fishing, many species are abundant: perch, carp, pike ... only a few commercial fishermen still carry their traditional way of business.

One way to discover the river is canoeing: at your own pace, you cruise down the royal river, pass by islands for wildlife viewing, or admire the scenery in different lights. An 800 kilometers track has been organized along the river for the cyclists to explore its landscape and its cities. In our department, 150 km of trails are part of it. Every even year around September, a major event celebrates our river: the ‘Caravane de Loire’. Throughout the department and through various villages like Saint Denis de l’Hôtel, residents celebrate the river with various attractions: entertainment, fireworks, musical concert, and dozens of traditional boats sailing down...

‘la fosse aux blancs’ pit canoeing on the river traditional boats on the river

Wildlife nearby, Saint Denis de l’Hôtel in the background

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All year around, the 4 seasons of Saint Denis de l’Hôtel

Spring Lots of events in spring! On Easter, the children participate in a large egg hunt in the beautiful Henry Coullaud park, along the Loire; trees in the park are in full bloom. It is the ideal starting point for hiking; the St Denis Cycling association organizes numerous events, some organized at our cycling ring, place where the national championship will be hosted in July 2011. The ACADMG, association for cultural and entertainment also organizes many cultural oriented events, including movie pictures sessions run in the multipurpose room, sculpture and paintings exhibitions, a flea market, a fund-raising hike and outdoor activities to discover other areas. It is also an opportunity for all of us to participate to a great event: Montgolfiades de Loire: many hot air balloons take flight in the late afternoon from the airport and fly the Loire at sunset; show guaranteed! The town remembers various events in the history of France to celebrate the commemoration of May 8, 1945 end of war, and the June 18th 1940 Charles de Gaulle appeal. Finally, in late May, when the days lengthen, neighbors gather around a table and a drink to celebrate Neighbors’ Day.

Spring’s beauty hot air ballons over our village Neighbors day gathering

Summer The first day of summer is celebrated with music: several bands of different style invade the neighborhoods of the town and all the people gather to celebrate the longest day of the year. The months of July and August are not left out. We have the national holiday celebration on July 14, with distribution of lanterns for children, then the population goes to the park Henry Coullaud accompanied by our local band, to watch the fireworks. The evening ends on the Place du Gris Meunier with popular dance music. The next day, a parade of elected town officials and firefighters takes place. Summer is the time to enjoy relaxing moments; our public librarian rides a bike (picture on the side) to moves around different neighborhoods of the village to go meet people, propose books on loan, and make it an enjoyable moment for those alone or elderly. In August, the ‘centre des Bouleaux’ hosts the National birch breeding Belgian Shepherds, the opportunity for everyone to discover this wonderful breed of dogs to discover their exceptional faculties thru dressage and beauty contests and demonstrations.

The library on the move Practicing roller in the street Dogs contest

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Autumn Holidays are behind; it is time to get back to school and activities for the whole families. Early September, we have the ‘forum of associations’ where all groups of interest, whether cultural, sports, nature or humanitarian gather in the multipurpose gymnasium to present their activities, schedules, and attract new members The sweetness of the Indian summer gives us a chance to enjoy the magnificent scenery before us, and the opportunity to celebrate the royal river with the ‘Caravane de Loire’, a gathering of boats wandering from village to village along the river or a canal; numerous events are organized, concert, theater plays, fireworks; it is also the time to discover or rehabilitate the ‘marine de Loire’, the navigation from the past, with boats renovated by sailing enthusiasts, such as ‘Ancre & Loire’, our local association. An unforgettable festive event! Heritage Days, every third weekend of September, are for all the opportunity to discover or rediscover the sites of importance and the history of our region: open day at Maurice Genevoix museum, the communal facilities can be visited, same for the ‘Musée de la Marine de Loire’ in nearby Châteauneuf-sur-Loire. It is also time for our local theater troop, the TRAC, to propose shows and plays for the pleasure of all of us.

Caravane de Loire in Saint Denis de l’Hôtel Annual gathering of all associations

Winter To celebrate the end of the year, the town organizes a Christmas parade: parade of various associations, mascots and Father Christmas. A large Christmas market allows everyone to stroll and look for some gifts to please their relatives for the holidays. Celebrations past, it's time for everyone to exchange new year wishes with a drink, the mayor of the town presents to all his good wishes and share with us the communal investment made and those to come or in progress. Each year, many associations such as horticulture, veterans or seniors organize gathering around the ‘galette des rois’ cake, a famous French tradition. In winter we can keep warm participating to some loto games in the multipurpose room. In Jargeau, just across the river, it is time for the big carnival, running for two consecutive Sundays: parade, music and attractions invite us to keep ourselves in a good mood, and share some friendly instants.

Loto game during winter time Christmas market, inside… …and outside

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What to do and see while visiting us

Close proximity A bridge on the river separates Saint Denis de l’Hôtel from Jargeau, on the other bank. The two villages are very complementary. The significant things that Jargeau brings to local tourism are the winter carnival in February, its beach on the river with beach cabins set for the summer period, the Roty museum, whilst being a stopover for people on Loire à vélo, the dedicated cycling track that goes alongside the river, up to the Atlantic ocean. And , a village next to us, offers a magnificent 18-holes golf course.

Jargeau beach in July Jargeau’s famous carnival 18-holes golf course in Donnery

Within a 20 miles radius For people visiting us a few days, plenty of sites can make your stay very enjoyable. About 7 kilometers away, we have the city of Châteauneuf, a nice village that host the Musée de la Marine, where you can discover almost everything about the way the river was used in the past centuries to carry all kind of merchandises and payloads. In addition, they have a public park with a kid’s playground and lots of rhododendrons. Some 14 kilometers away from our village is the Chateau de Chamerolles, property of the Department: a very nice castle, a park with specially designed gardens, a building for temporary expositions, and a permanent showing about perfumes: the way they are made, the art of smelling… and a shop to buy some! Orléans is only 22 kilometers away from Saint Denis de l’Hôtel: a big city, about 300 000 inhabitants with the outskirts, 3 bridges crossing the river, a cathedral, and the well known yearly Johan of Arc celebrations, lasting for several days with parades, shows, enlightening of the cathedral…

Marine museum, Chateauneuf Castle in Chamerolles Johan of Arc celebrations, Orléans

A bit further away A bit further away, at about 90 minutes drive, are three areas of interest. Southwards is the Sologne, a wild area made of forests, ponds, nice small brick villages, and very appealing restaurants; this is the place to go if you want to have a nice and quiet walk in some forest, visit a ancient brick factory, or go hunting. Very different, westwards is the area of Châteaux de la Loire, numerous castles that have been erected alongside the river. Would be too cumbersome to enumerate the variety of places, but you might decide yourself depending on the distance, or the type of visit: some castles are renowned for their gardens, others for the decorations in the rooms inside, other for stables or armors… Third, going southeastwards, are some famous wine areas like Sancerre and Pouilly, offering both a nice view on the hills and vineyards, and the opportunity to visit wine producers, enjoy some wine-tasting exercise, and buy some bottles to take back.

Website: www.ajsdh.fr Phone : +33 6 80 91 58 61 Email: [email protected] 8