Saumur is an important town on the Loire river towards the south-east of the historical Anjou region, between Angers and Tours and in the heart of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park.
Explore Saumur
France This Way review: although the Chateau de Saumur is one of the less interesting castles in the region, it provides an attractive backdrop to the town which also has several other sites of interest and historic monuments, many built with the white stone and grey slate rooves characteristic of the area, and a visit to Saumur is indispensable when you are exploring the Loire Valley.
You can park near the castle and walk down to the town (not very far) or park in the town centre, probably in one of the car parks along the river, then explore the town centre before walking up to the castle. We suggest the second option because the tourist office in Saumur is next to the river and can give you useful information before you start exploring...
Start your visit from Saumur Tourist Office with a walk along the river front. Pass the classical style theatre, an imposing building from the 19th century, to reach the Town Hall, a very impressive building that partly dates from the 15th century although a large wing was added in the 19th century, in neo-gothic style. You can walk around the left side of the cathedral to see the rear of the building, which is equally impressive.
Continuing along the riverfont you reach the Hotel de Belvedere, a 19th century house in the classical style that was originally a hotel and features a belvedere overlooking the river, then a 15th century tower called the Tour Papegault which was a corner of the ramparts that surrounded Saumur in the 15th century.
If you continue a few hundred metres further aong the river you can see the Chapel of Notre Dame des Ardilliers, most notable for the large dome added in the 17th century, as well as more imposing townhouses that belonged to the Mayaud and Charlemagne families. After exploring the riverfront you can take a pleasant wander around the town.
In the heart of the town centre you reach Place Saint-Pierre, which was the heart of medieval Saumur and still has several charming medieval houses in colombage that were built in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Church of Saint-Pierre here was built in the 12th century although the facade that dominates the square was rebuilt in the 17th century. There are also several cafes around the Place Saint-Pierre which is a pleasant place to take a coffee break.
In the streets behind the large CPAM building which rather spoils one side of the Place Saint-Pierre (rue Dacier, rue de l'Ancienne Messagerie et rue Bizard) there are two more important buildings: the 15th century Maison du Roi, where many Kings and Queens stayed in the 16th century, and the Hotel des Abbesses de Fontevraud with its tower and facade rebuilt in the 19th century.
Before leaving Saumur town centre you can walk to the south-west beyond the tourist office to see the Church of Saint-Nicholas, a church with origins in the 12th century (although modified several times since) and, behind the church, the Place Charles de Foucauld which is dominated by the Cavalry School, a large series of buildings in the classical style. (In our opinion this is the least interesting part of your visit so can be omitted if your time is limited.)
From the town centre you can climb up the steps to the château and enjoy some spectacular views of the town and the lovely stone bridge crossing the River Loire below. In the Château du Saumur you can visit several historic rooms and the museum that is inside the castle buildings. For details of the castle see Chateau du Saumur.
When you have finished exploring you can take a well deserved pause to sample the delicious sparkling white wine ‘methode champenoise’ which is made in the region!
Attractions nearby
Saumur is famous for its elite riding squad, the Cadre Noir, and you can visit their base, the Ecole National d’ Equitation in St Hilaire St Florent, a suburb of Saumur. Various galas and shows take place throughout the year.
The region around Saumur is well known for its prehistoric traces such as troglodyte caves and dolmens. Until the dark ages these caves were a very popular place to live and you will see many as you tour the region. To the south of Saumur, those at Rochemenier are perhaps the most interesting, with a whole underground village being found in the carved out rock. The dolmen at Bagneux is also impressive.
The renowned Fontevraud abbey is a short distance north of Saumur, and not far to the east you can visit the Manoir de Launay (the Manoir du Roi René), an attractive turreted manor house, built before the excesses of Renaissance architecture had completely pushed aside medieval simplicity.
Explore elsewhere in the Anjou. You can find more travel ideas in the Maine-et-Loire guide and the Pays de la Loire guide.
Arrange a visit to Saumur
Hotels in Saumur
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Map of Saumur and places nearby
Visit near Saumur with France This Way reviews
Chateau de Saumur
The Chateau de Saumur stands in an impressive location with views across the Loire river
Chateau de Saumur guide
Montsoreau
Montsoreau, listed as a 'most beautiful villages in France', also has an interesting troglodyte vilage to explore
Montsoreau guide
Candes-Saint-Martin
In the village of Candes-Saint-Martin, a 'most beautiful village in France', you can see the Vienne river, a medieval collegiale church and a lovely viewpoint
Candes-Saint-Martin guide
Candes-Saint-Martin collegiate church
The collegiate church of Candes-Saint-Martin has numerous medieval statues incorporated in the facade and porch
Candes-Saint-Martin collegiate church guide
Fontevraud Abbey
The Fontevraud Abbey has a great deal to see: it is one of the largest abbey complexes in France and most visited abbeys in France
Fontevraud Abbey guide
Chateau de Montreuil-Bellay
The Château de Montreuil-Bellay is an impressive 15th century castle surrouned by medieval ramparts and furnished n period style
Chateau de Montreuil-Bellay guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Maine-et-Loire
Tourist classifications for Saumur
Saumur is classified as a historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)
Address: Saumur, Pays de la Loire, 49400, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 47.26, longitude -0.076944
Plan your visit to Saumur, Maine-et-Loire
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Loire-Anjou-Touraine: regional natural parc (11 km)
- Montsoreau: most beautiful village (11 km)
- Candes-Saint-Martin: most beautiful village (13 km)
- Collegiale Church (Candes-Saint-Martin): religious monument (13 km)
- Fontevraud Abbey: national monument (13 km)
- Abbaye Notre Dame de Fontevraud (Fontevraud Abbey): religious monument (13 km)
- Prieuré de Notre-Dame de Cunault (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault): religious monument (15 km)
- Eglise de Notre Dame (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault): religious monument (15 km)
- Montreuil-Bellay: recommended detour (15 km)
- Parc zoologique de Doué-la-Fontaine: zoo or wildlife park (19 km)
- Chinon: secteur sauvegarde (26 km)
- Aubigne-sur-Layon: ville fleurie 4* (30 km)
Market days in Saumur, France
Regular market(s) are held in Saumur each Wednesday & Thursday & Saturday & Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Saumur (Francais)