Montsoreau

Visit Montsoreau, Pays de la Loire

Montsoreau is a classified 'most beautiful village of France' situated between Saumur and Chinon in the Maine-et-Loire department of western France.

Montsoreau is a lovely little village not to be missed if you are exploring the Loire Valley near Saumur. The village is on a quiet stretch of the River Loire near the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers and at the base of a cliff. At this point, the Loire is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is the largest area to be designated a UNESCO site in France.

Explore Montsoreau

Park your car in the Place du Mail and walk along the river front towards the château which rises up majestically above the water. Indeed this is the only one of the Loire castles which has its 'feet in the water' of the river itself.

Make your way up to the higher part of the village which lies along the edge of a main street parallel to the river. The village is charming and it is quieter here away from the road which runs next to the river.

You have some superb views of the château which is now promoted as the 'Château de la Dame de Montsoreau' after the novel by Dumas that revolved around the love life of two ladies who lived in the castle during the reign of Henri III (based on real events), and has recently been renovated and opened to the public.

Montsoreau castle is unusual in that it includes architectural elements from a fortified chateau and other elements of being a renaissance period chateau built as a home rather than with a military purpose.

Next to the castle is the Hotel le Bussy which has a terrace with a superb view of the château and the river. A perfect place to stop for a drink before continuing your walk into the adjoining village of Candes St Martin which like Montsoreau is classed one of the most beautiful villages of France.

You can also visit the old troglodyte village, with homes, doors and windows cut into the cliff and which as recently as the end of the 18th century provided homes to most of the villagers. More recently, mushroom growers have taken over some of the larger man-made caves and a restaurant at the site specialises in stuffed mushrooms.

Boat trips in traditional boats and fishing are popular activities in Montsoreau, which has most facilities.

Photos of Montsoreau (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Montsoreau: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*; One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near Montsoreau, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Chinon 14km; Chateau Chinon 15km; Chateau du Rivau 24km; Oiron Chateau 31km; Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau 31km; Crissay-sur-Manse 33km; Thouars 34km; Chateau de Villandry 37km; Moncontour, Vienne 37km; Bauge 38km; Aubigne-sur-Layon 39km; Chateau de Brissac 41km; Chateau du Lude 49km; Tours 52km; Angers 54km; Chateau d'Angers 55km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Montsoreau

Montsoreau tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Collegiale Church (Candes-Saint-Martin) - religious monument (1km) : Loire-Anjou-Touraine - regional natural parc (3km) : Abbaye Notre Dame de Fontevraud (Fontevraud Abbey) - religious monument (4km) : Montreuil-Bellay - recommended detour (18km) : Loudun - recommended detour (23km) : Eglise de Notre Dame (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (26km) : Prieuré de Notre-Dame de Cunault (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (26km) : Les jardins du château du Rivau - remarkable garden (26km) :

French version: see Montsoreau (Francais)