Saumur

Saumur (49400)

Saumur and its surroundings possess an abundant and varied cultural and natural heritage. Castles, abbeys, mills and caves make up this beautiful landscape between the Loire and the vineyards, which you can explore on foot, bike or horse ... because the history of Saumur is primarily associated with the cavalry and riding through its prestigious institutions ...

Tourist Office
8 bis quai Carnot, 49400 Saumur
Website - tel : 02 41 40 20 60.
Open daily :

October through May, Monday to Saturday : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ; Sunday and public holidays: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (closed on Sunday from November to January).
June and September, Monday to Saturday : 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ; Sunday and public holidays: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

July and August, Monday to Saturday : 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ; Sunday and public holidays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 


The Tourist Office offers guided tours of Saumur by Segway or by touristic train.


Outdoor market on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Maison des vins d’Anjou et de Saumur
7 Quai Carnot, 49400 Saumur
Tel: 02 41 38 45 83.
Free access.
Opening time:
June through September, Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m./ 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
October through May, Tuesday to Saturday: 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Initiation to the tasting and oenological animations throughout the year.

Located closed to the Tourist Office and facing the Loire River, the Anjou and Saumur wines House is a must for discovering the wines and vineyards of Anjou and Saumur. A selection is made among the most representative wines of the various vineyards of Anjou-Saumur.

Château de Saumur
49400 Saumur
Website 
- tel : 02 41 40 24 40.:

Full price / reduced price: €7 / €5. Free for children under 7 years old. Family package : €20.

Open all year round except in January:
October through March, Tuesday to Sunday: 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
April, May, June and September, Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
July and August, every day: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tours in French and English. Tour documents in French and English. Many events, exhibitions and shows for the whole family.

History
Overlooking the Loire, the existence of Château de Saumur is mentioned in a text as early as the year 968.
At the beginning of the 11th century, Foulque Nerra, Count of Anjou, seized the castle. It remained in his family until 1203 and the defeat of John Lackland.
Starting from 1360, the fortress became a castle. It was widely expanded, lit by numerous windows and even gained in height. Over the following centuries the castle underwent a few adjustments. In the late 16th and early 17th century a new fortification, located on the city side, was erected. In the 19th century the palace became a state prison and an arms and ammunition warehouse, which in turn saved it from destruction. Finally, in 1906, it was chosen as the location for the municipal museum of the city and large-scale restorations were begun and still continue today.

The museum

The museum of the city is located in the apartments of the Dukes of Anjou and the abbey. Through didactic museum displays, it shows a collection devoted to decorative arts from the Middle Ages up to the 19th century (furniture, sculptures, paintings, tapestries, ceramics ... ) and a collection dedicated to harnessing and riding throughout the world (saddles, stirrups, bits, uniform ... ).

Access to the belvedere (from mid-June to mid-September): Panorama on the Loire. Visit of 30 minutes, every day in July and August. Price: €3.

For children
Game booklet for children from 7 to 12 years old: «Inquiry at the Château de Saumur! ».

Église Notre-Dame de Nantilly
Rue de Nantilly, 49400 Saumur

02 41 83 30 31.
Opening time:
April through September: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ;
October through March: 9  a.m. to 5 p.m.


Although there was an earlier church from the 9th century on the site, the present church was built in Romanesque style at the time of the establishment of the Abbey of Fontevraud. Its construction was completed in the 15th century by a vast Gothic aisle. It is the oldest church in Saumur.



The nave was built in 20 years, from 1100 to 1120. It surprises by its proportions : 17 meters high and 13 meters wide, which is very unusual for Romanesque building techniques of the time. The choir was completed in 1150 and remains in its original state, which is not the case of the transepts, rebuilt in the 15th century and restored in the 19th century. The bell tower was added at the end of the 15th century and it houses a great bell and a smaller one.

The magnificent organ was built between 1685 and 1690. Today it retains its organ case and original instrumental structure (unique in the region).


The beautiful tapestries exhibited inside the church during the summer (July and August) are exceptional. They date from the 12th and 13th centuries and are dedicated to the Virgin. They alone merit a tour of the building.

Saint John Chapel
Rue Corneille, 49400 Saumur

Tel : 02 41 83 30 31.
Opening according to the exhibition schedule.

This chapel was built in the early 13th century by the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem . This is probably one of the greatest achievements of Gothic art in the region. It now houses exhibitions of contemporary artists and antique tapestries.

Église Notre-Dame des Ardilliers
Place Notre-Dame des Ardilliers, 49400 Saumur

02 41 83 30 31.
Open every day, except on Sunday morning:
April to September: 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
October to March: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In the 15th century, a resident of the town discovered a pietà (sculpture of Mary holding Jesus in her lap) in a field near a source already renowned for its healing properties. It was rapidly worshipped and attributed many miracles. A chapel dedicated to the pietà was built in 1553 and the site became an important place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary. In 1614, the large architectural ensemble that is visible today was built. Of note in particular is the impressive Baroque altarpiece of the main altar.

Musée de la Cavalerie de Saumur
Place Charles de Foucauld, 49400 Saumur
Website - Tel: 02 41 83 69 23.
Full price / reduced price: €7 / €4. Free for children under 7 years old.
 Family package: €18.
Open from February to October:
February, March, April and October: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Fridays.
May, June and September: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed on Fridays.
July and August: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This museum is housed in the prestigious buildings of the old stables of the Cadre Noir. It retraces the history of the French cavalry from the 15th century to the present day.

Le Cadre Noir de Saumur
Institut Français du Cheval et de l’Équitation
49400 Saumur
Website - tel : 02 41 53 50 60.
Price for a guided tour (1 hour) :

Full price / reduced price: €8 / €6 / 4 to 16 years old: €6. Free for children under 4 years old. Family package : €26.

Open from mid-February to early November :

Guided tours are scheduled Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (departure of the last visit). Closed Saturday afternoons, Sunday, Monday mornings and public holidays.

 Guided tour in English available in summer.

With your guide, discover the daily operation of the Riding School (large arena, stables, saddlery ... ), its mission and the history of this prestigious institution.

Opportunity to attend a performance by the horse-riding troop, the Cadre Noir de Saumur.

Centre équestre Saumur-Petit Souper
Avenue de l’École Nationale d’Équitation, 49400 Saumur
Website - tel : 02 41 50 29 90.

Located near the Ecole Nationale d'Equitation (National School of Equitation), ideal for an equestrian experience. Suitable for all ages (3 years old and up), visitors can learn to horseback ride, take courses or enroll children in day camps during the school holidays.

Le Dolmen de Bagneux
56 Rue du Dolmen 
Bagneux, 49400 Saumur
Website - tel : 02 41 50 23 02.
Full price / reduced price : €4 / €2. Free for children under 6 years old.

Opening time:

January through June and September through December, daily, except Wednesday : 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

July and August, daily : 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 



The Dolmen of Bagneux is an extraordinary megalithic monument erected 5000 years ago. Composed of 15 slabs weighing more than 500 tonnes, it is one of the architectural jewels of the Neolithic era.

Prehistoric tools and explanatory panels illustrate the visit of the site.

Le Musée du Champignon (for the family)
Route de Gennes, 49400 Saumur

Website - tel : 02 41 50 31 55.
Full price / reduced price : €9 / €8/ 6 to 18 years old: €7. Free for children under 6 years old.

Combined ticket includes Pierre et Lumière and the Musée du champignon :

Full price / reduced price: €15 / €14 / 6 to 18 years old: €12. Free for children under 6 years old.

Open daily from mid-February to November 11th :

February, March, October and November : 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ; April through September : 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Tour documents in 4 languages​​.



The many cave formations along the Loire Valley help to promote the growth of many mushrooms. This culture is an integral part of the heritage of the Loire Valley. During the visit (exploration of the mushroom farm, participation in workshops) visitors will discover the many secrets of mushrooms ...

Pierre et Lumière (for the family)
Route de Gennes, 49400 Saumur
Website - tel : 02 41 50 70 04.
Full price / reduced price : €9/ €8/ 6 to 18 years old: €7. Free for children under 6 years old.

Combined ticket includes Pierre et Lumière and the Musée du champignon :

Full price / reduced price: €15 / €14 / 6 to 18 years old: €12. Free for children under 6 years old.

Open every day from February to November 11th :

February, March, October, November : 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ; April through September : 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Activities and sculpture workshops for children. Cellar temperature is 15° C (60°F), be sure to bring a jacket.



Pierre et Lumière (Stone and Light) is a miniature park that pays tribute to the soft stone that helped build the castles of the Loire: tuffeau stone. During the tour visitors will discover twenty sculptures carved into the rock: churches, villages, castles .... sure to delight young and old.

Bicycle rental in Saumur

Véloc’Agis
Garage solidaire Agis Auto
388 Rue Robert Amy, 49400 Saumur
Tel: 02 41 40 25 50.

Détours de Loire
10 Route de Rouen, 49400 Saumur
Website - tel: 02 41 53 01 01.
Détours de Loire allows you to rent a bike at one location and drop it off at another, thanks to its many rental points. Everything is provided for crossing the Loire by bicycle. Many possible rental formulas.

Boat rides on the Loire in Saumur

Compagnie saumuroise de navigation Saint-Nicolas
Les docks de la Loire, 5 Rue Bonnemère, 49400 Saumur
Website - tel : 06 63 22 87 00.
Open from April through October. Departure : Quai Lucien Gautier, opposite the City Hall of Saumur.

Shuttle Saumur / Montsoreau
« Coche d’eau » 
(Water coach)
This shuttle service allows you to go to the château de Montsoreau on the Loire.
Discovery Cruise

50-minute narrated cruise.

Pôle Nautique
Base de Loisirs Millocheau

1 Rue Eric Tabarly, 49400 Saumur

Tel: 02 41 51 17 65.
Canoe Rental, with or without a guide. Discover the Regional Nature Park of Loire-Anjou-Touraine. Several routes are possible, from half-day to multi-day trips.

Accommodation in Saumur

Hôtel Saint Pierre ****

8 Rue haute Saint Pierre, 49400 saumur
Website – Tel: 02 41 50 33 00.
Room from €115.
Against the standardization, this partner hotel of the Luxury and character Hotels chain offers 14 rooms that are real nests of decoration and where it is good to live for a weekend in Saumur.

Restaurants in Saumur

The selection of restaurants proposed below consists of restaurants that offer a good price/quality value. “Formule” corresponds to a lunch special with a starter and a main course, or a main course and a dessert. The “menus” usually consist of a starter, a main course and a dessert, for lunch or dinner.

L’Alchimiste – cuisine with fresh products
6 Rue de Lorraine, 49400 Saumur
Website - tel : 02 41 67 65 18.
"Formule" : €21. "Menu" : €24.

Le Pot de Lapin – cuisine from the market
37 Rue Rabelais, 49400 Saumur
Tel : 02 41 67 12 86.
Main course around €20.

Les Ménestrels – cuisine with seasonal products
11 Rue Raspail, 49400 Saumur
Website - tel : 02 41 67 71 10.
"Lunch formule" : €19.50. "Menu" from €37.

L'Escargot – French traditional cuisine
30 Rue du Maréchal Leclerc, 49400 Saumur
Tel: 02 41 51 20 88.
"Menu" from €21.

L'Aromate – Seasonal cuisine
42 Rue du Maréchal Leclerc, 49400 Saumur
Website - Tel: 02 41 51 31 45.
"Lunch formule" €16. "Dinner menu" from €33.

Le Gambetta – Gourmet cuisine
12 Rue Gambetta, 49400 Saumur
Website - Tél : 02 41 67 66 66.
"Lunch menu" during the week €30. "Dinner menu" from €36.