What to See & Do
Saumur Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Saumur Castle | ★★★☆☆ | Castle + Museum | Self | Paid |
| 02 | Wine Houses | ★★★☆☆ | Cellars & Tastings | Guided | Paid |
| 03 | Town Center | ★★☆☆☆ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 04 | Combier Distillery | ★☆☆☆☆ | Distillery + Tastings | Guided | Paid |
| 05 | River Boat | ★☆☆☆☆ | Boat Excursion | Tour | Paid |
| 06 | St. Pierre Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 07 | Notre-Dame des Ardilliers Chapel | ★☆☆☆☆ | Chapel | Self | Free |
| 08 | Notre-Dame de Nantilly Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 09 | St. Nicolas Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 10 | Saumur Market | ★☆☆☆☆ | Food Market | Self | Free |
| 12 | Cavalry Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Cavalry | Self | Paid |
| 11 | Armored Vehicles Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Tank | Self | Paid |
| 13 | Botanical Garden | ★☆☆☆☆ | Garden | Self | Free |
| 14 | Engine Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Engine | Self | Paid |
| 15 | Saumur Tourist Train | ★☆☆☆☆ | City Train Tour | Tour | Paid |
01. Saumur Castle
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Castle + Museums
Visit Self
Cost Paid
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.
02. 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.
03. Town Center
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
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.
04. Combier Distillery
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Distillery + Tastings
Visit Guided
Cost Paid
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.
05. River Boat
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Boat Excursion
Visit 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.
06. St. Pierre Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
07. Notre-Dame des Ardilliers Chapel
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Chapel
Visit Self
Cost Free
This 16th-century chapel is a pilgrimage site known for its Baroque architecture and its large dome.
08. Notre-Dame de Nantilly Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
Saumur’s oldest churche, dating back to the 12th century, it showcases mainly Romanesque and some Gothic styles.
09. St. Nicolas Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
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. Saumur Market
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Food Market
Visit Self
Cost Free
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
Cost Paid
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 Tank Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
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.
13. Botanical Garden
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Garden
Visit Self
Cost Free
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
Cost Paid
Dedicated to the history of internal combustion engines, this museum showcases a wide range of engines used in vehicles, agriculture, and industry.
15. Saumur Tourist Train
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type City Train Tour,
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
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.
