WHAT TO SEE & DO
Overview Table
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saumur Castle | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Castle | Self | Paid € |
| 2 | Wine Houses | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Cellars & Tastings | Guided | Paid € |
| 3 | Town Center | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Town Center | Self | Free |
| 4 | Combier Distillery | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Distillery + Tastings | Guided | Paid € |
| 5 | River Boat | ✦✧✧✧✧ | River Boat | Tour | Paid € |
| 6 | St. Pierre Church | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church | Self | Free |
| 7 | Notre-Dame des Ardilliers Chapel | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Chapel | Self | Free |
| 8 | Notre-Dame de Nantilly Church | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church | Self | Free |
| 9 | St. Nicolas Church | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church | Self | Free |
| 10 | Food Market | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Food Market | Self | Free |
| 12 | Cavalry Museum | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Museum - Cavalry | Self | Paid € |
| 11 | Armored Vehicles Museum | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Museum - Tanks | Self | Paid € |
| 13 | Botanical Garden | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Garden | Self | Free |
| 14 | Engine Museum | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Museum - Engine | Self | Paid € |
| 15 | Tourist Train | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Tourist Train | Tour | Paid € |
1. Saumur Castle
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Castle + Museums
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Château de Saumur
Saumur Castle, built in the 10th century has seen numerous transformations over the centuries and was fortified in the 13th century. The castle also hosts 2 museums.
A museum of decorative arts featuring ceramics, furniture, sculptures, and tapestries.
A horse museum that includes items such as horseshoes and farriery tools, as well as artworks on the equestrian theme.
The castle’s belvedere is open from June to September for guided visits only, and only in French. It offers a view of the entire city and the Loire River.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
2. Wine Houses
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Cellars + Tastings
Visit Guided
Cost Paid
Saumur is renowned for its sparkling wines, and the local wine houses offer guided visits and tastings. Visitors can explore underground cellars, learn about traditional wine-making processes, and sample a variety of regional wines, including Saumur Brut and Saumur Champigny.
3. Town Center
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Walking Around
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
The heart of Saumur boasts charming streets lined with half-timbered houses, boutique shops, and cafes. The central square, Place Saint-Pierre Square, is a lively spot surrounded by historic buildings.
4. Combier Distillery
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Distillery + Tastings
Visit Guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Distillerie Combier
Established in 1834, this distillery is known for producing premium liqueurs, including Triple Sec and Absinthe. Visitors can tour the facility, learn about the distillation process, and taste a variety of spirits crafted from traditional recipes.
The guided visits are mainly in French, but the guide can also give some explanations in English.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
5. River Boat
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type River Boat
Visit Guided Tour
Cost Paid
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A boat ride on the Loire River provides a perspective of Saumur and its surroundings. These excursions offer views of the town and the Loire River, often accompanied by guided commentary but in French. Depending on the guide, you might receive some explanations in English.
Provider
Croisières Saumur Loire
⚙️ Hours & Prices (Official Website)
Provider
Loire Evasion
6. St. Pierre Church
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Church
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Église Saint-Pierre du Marais
St. Pierre Church, situated in the heart of Saumur, dates back to the 12th century and features both Romanesque art and Gothic architecture, as well as a 17th-century Classical-style façade.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
7. Notre-Dame des Ardilliers Chapel
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Chapel
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Chapelle Notre-Dame des Ardilliers
This 16th-century chapel is a pilgrimage site known for its Baroque architecture and its large dome.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
8. Notre-Dame de Nantilly Church
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Church
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Église Notre-Dame de Nantilly
Saumur’s oldest churche, dating back to the 12th century, it showcases mainly Romanesque and some Gothic styles.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
9. St. Nicolas Church
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Church
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Église Saint-Nicolas
Located near the river, this church, dating back to the 12th century, features a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles and also has some mural paintings inside.
10. Food Market
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Outdoor Food Market
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Names
Marché Saint-Pierre
Marché du Centre-Ville
The Saumur food market is located on the main square of the town, Place Saint-Pierre, and takes place on Saturday mornings.
11. Cavalry Museum
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Calvalry Museum
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Musée de la Cavalerie
Situated in a historic military academy, this museum explores the history of French cavalry. Exhibits include uniforms, weapons, and artifacts, tracing the evolution of cavalry from the Middle Ages to modern times.
12. Armored Vehicles Museum
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Tanks Museum
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Musée des Blindés
Musée Général Estienne
This museum houses an extensive collection of tanks and military vehicles, highlighting the history of armored warfare. It features exhibits from World War I to the present, offering insights into military technology and history.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
13. Botanical Garden
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Jardin des Plantes
The garden was established in the 19th century as a public park in place of the former garden of a convent.
14. Engine Museum
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Engine Museum
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Musée du Moteur
Dedicated to the history of internal combustion engines, this museum showcases a wide range of engines used in vehicles, agriculture, and industry.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
15. Tourist Train
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Touist Train
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
French Name
Petit Train Touristique
A tourist train offering audioguided tours of Angers’ main attractions and historic sites for a convenient way to explore the city.
The train itinerary starts in front of Saumur tourism office.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN LOIRE VALLEY
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Things to Do in Chenonceaux Village
Things to Do in Cheverny Village
Things to Do in Fontevraud-l’Abbaye Village
Things to Do in Montrésor Village
Things to Do in Montreuil-Bellay Town
Things to Do in Montsoreau Village
