A town of cavalry and vineyards at the confluence of the Loire and the Thouet, Saumur is recognisable from afar by the white silhouette of its château perched on its rocky spur. Between troglodyte cellars, prestigious stables and half-timbered lanes, here are the places not to miss.
Looking for things to do in Saumur, places to visit near Saumur or an idea for a day out this weekend? Here is a selection of the finest sights to see, all explorable directly on the interactive map.
Open Saumur on the interactive mapPerched some forty metres above the Loire, this white tuffeau château topped with slate was a residence of the dukes of Anjou before serving as a prison and then an arms depot. It now houses the Horse Museum and the Decorative Arts Museum.
See on the map →Go behind the scenes of this school unique in France, where the famous riders in black uniform train: the great arena, stables and saddlery. French classical equestrian art is inscribed on the UNESCO intangible heritage list.
See on the map →One of the largest tank collections in the world, with nearly 800 vehicles retracing the history of armoured warfare from 1917 to today, including many still in working order.
See on the map →This 12th-century Romanesque church, dear to Louis XI, holds an exceptional collection of antique tapestries as well as a remarkable pointed barrel-vaulted nave.
See on the map →Founded in 1834, this distillery invented the famous triple sec. The tour reveals its period stills and its history, in a 19th-century industrial setting right in the town centre.
See on the map →Carved into the tuffeau, these cool cellars host the making of Crémant de Loire. The visit combines light effects, explanations of traditional methods and a tasting.
See on the map →Set in the former stables of the Cavalry School, this museum retraces the history of the French cavalry since 1445 through uniforms, weapons and mementoes.
See on the map →Wander the half-timbered lanes around the Renaissance town hall, then follow the quays to watch the château reflected in the waters of the Loire, especially beautiful at dusk.
See on the map →Between two arms of the Loire, this island has a river beach and a leisure centre with a direct view of the château. A good spot for a break by the water.
See on the map →Find these places and hundreds more — restaurants, places to stay, activities — on the BornToVisit interactive map. Filter by theme, find things to do around you and plan your outing.
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