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Descartes, France
Centre-Val de Loire · France
Descartes is a small town in Centre-Val de Loire, France with a population of 3,872. Elevation: 121 ft (37 m). Average temperature: 56°F (14°C).
Data updated June 2026
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About Descartes
Descartes is a large village and commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It is approximately 29 kilometers east of Richelieu and about 48 kilometers east of Loudun, on the banks of the Creuse River, near the border of the French department of Vienne, and the border of the region between Centre-Val de Loire and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is famous for the birthplace of the French mathematician and philosopher who invented the Cartesian coordinate system, René Descartes.
People
Economy
FHousing
A+Climate
| Population | 3,872 |
| Population Density | 331 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) |
| Coordinates | 46.9667°, 0.7000° |
| Timezone | Europe/Paris |
| Country | 🇫🇷 France |
| State / Province | Centre-Val de Loire |
| Average Temperature | 56°F (14°C) |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.1 inches (891 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.3 inches (6 cm) |
| Median Household Income | $21,481 |
About Descartes
Descartes is a small town in France (Centre-Val de Loire) with a population of 3,872. The city sits at an elevation of 121 feet (37 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 56°F (14°C). Temperatures range from 43°F in January to 69°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 35.1 inches. The timezone is Europe/Paris.
Income: Descartes vs France
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $21,481 |
| 71% below France avg |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 18.0% |
| 400% above France avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% |
| 77% above France avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 232 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $81,800 |
| 71% below France avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $409 |
| 65% below France avg | |
| Rent Burden | 29.4% |
Ownership & Property
| Housing Units | 1,549 |
Property Tax
Temperature
| Annual Average | 56.4°F |
| 4% above France avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 256 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) |
| Area | 11.7 sq mi (30.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 331/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.9667°N, 0.7000°W |
| Timezone | Europe/Paris |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 1.7 in | Driest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 2.7 in | Wettest |
Descartes has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 41°F in February to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.7") and August the driest (1.7").
Schools in Descartes
5 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collège Roger Jahan | - | - | - | - |
| École primaire | - | - | - | - |
| École Louis Lefé Sainte Marie | - | - | - | - |
| École primaire Balesmes | - | - | - | - |
| École primaire Côte des Granges | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Descartes
8 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| France Bleu Touraine | - | MP3 128 kbps | |
| ALOUETTE INDRE ET LOIRE | - | MP3 128 kbps | |
| RADIO PULSAR | - | MP3 192 kbps | |
| Europe 2 Centre | - | AAC 127 kbps | |
| Radio Elyon | chrétien | MP3 128 kbps | |
| Radio Dynamo | - | AAC 96 kbps | |
| Forum TOURS | - | MP3 128 kbps | |
| Radio Béton - Tours 93.6 | - | MP3 320 kbps |
Museums in Descartes
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archéolab | ||||
| Bataille de Poitiers de 732 | ||||
| Château | ||||
| Hôtel Sully | ||||
| Le Grand Atelier | ||||
| Maison du Patrimoine | ||||
| Maison du Souvenir | ||||
| Maison Musée René Descartes | ||||
| Musée de la Préhistoire | ||||
| Musée du Presbytère | ||||
| Musée la Poterne | ||||
| Musée Mado Robin | ||||
| Musée Minerve |
Libraries in Descartes
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bibliothèque Andrée Chedid | 0.0 | |||||
| Bibliothèque Claude Vieille | 0.0 | |||||
| Bibliothèque Communale | 0.0 | |||||
| Bibliothèque Municipale " Lucien Brossard " | 0.0 | |||||
| Bibliothèque Pédagogique et Culturelle | 0.0 | |||||
| Les Amis de la Lecture | 0.0 | |||||
| Maillé à livre ouvert | 0.0 | |||||
| Médiathèque | 0.0 | |||||
| Médiathèque | 0.0 | |||||
| Médiathèque Châtellerault Centre | 0.0 | |||||
| Médiathèque Georges Rouault | 0.0 | |||||
| Médiathèque le Château des histoires | 0.0 | |||||
| Médiathèque Micheline Réau | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Descartes
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halle | |||||
| Les Halles | |||||
| Marché Azay-sur-Indre | |||||
| Marché Couvert/Salle des Fêtes | |||||
| Marché de la place des Halles | |||||
| Marché Place de l'Eglise | |||||
| Marché Place Milo Freslon | |||||
| Place des Anciens Combattants | |||||
| Place du marché Nouâtre |
Cafes in Descartes
1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Castles in Descartes
2 castles within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Descartes
1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Descartes
1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Descartes
1 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Descartes
3 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Descartes
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Vol'Bière |
Airports Near Descartes
42 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Poitiers-Biard Airport | PIS | Medium Airport |
| Tours Val de Loire Airport | TUF | Medium Airport |
| Aérodrome de Châtellerault-Targé | - | Small Airport |
| Aerodrome de Fougères-sur-Bièvre | - | Small Airport |
| Amboise Dierre Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Archigny Chenevelles Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Azat le Ris Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Blois Le Breuil Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Brigueil le Chantre Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Brizay Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Buxeuil Saint Rémy sur Creuse Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Channay-Rillé Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Château de l'Estang Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Chauvigny Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Chenay Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Chouzy-sur-Cisse Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Couhé Vérac Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Ferme de la Braudière Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Guynem'air Ultralight Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Hommes Volants Ultralight Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| La Flèche-Thorée-les-Pins Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Le Blanc Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Le Fort d'Aslonnes Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Lémeré Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Les Bardellières Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Les Chateaux Ultralight Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Loches Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Loudun Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Montmorillon Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Montrichard Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Morand Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Neuvy le Roi Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Orbigny Les Pallis Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Pontlevoy Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Prissac Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Saint Branchs Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Saint Hippolyte Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Saint-Pierre-de-Chevillé Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Sepmes Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Tours Le Louroux Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Tours Sorigny Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Villentrois Les Mardelles Airfield | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Descartes
3 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Descartes | |
| Poste Annexe | |
| Poste Annexe |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Descartes
5 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Église Paroissiale Saint-Georges de La-Haye-Descartes | |
| Église Paroissiale Saint-Pierre de Balesmes | |
| Église Saint-Pierre | |
| Église Saint-Rémy | |
| Prieuré Notre Dame de Lourdes |
Quick Facts
🇫🇷 About France
Public Holidays in France
11 public holidays this year
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Descartes
What is the population of Descartes?
Descartes has a population of 3,872 residents and is located in France. The population density is 331 people per square mile, spread across 11.7 square miles.
Is Descartes expensive to live in?
The median household income is $21,481, 71% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $81,800 (71% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $409 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.8x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
What is the weather like in Descartes?
Descartes enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winter temperatures average 43°F in January, while summers reach an average of 69°F in July. The area receives 256 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 35.1 inches, with 2.3 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Descartes?
The job market in Descartes faces challenges, with unemployment at 18.0% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. There are 232 business establishments in the area.
How much does housing cost in Descartes?
The median home value in Descartes is $81,800. For renters, the median monthly rent is $409.