Dramatised tours of Saumur, Doué-la-Fontaine, le Puy-Notre-Dame and Montreuil-Bellay.
For Doué-la-Fontaine (departure in front of the Doué-la-Fontaine tourist office).
Louis Langlois: Discovering the old streets of Doué-la-Fontaine.
Marie de Médicis and Louis XIII are on their way to Doué-la-Fontaine. The Baron of Doué-la-Fontaine, Louis Gouffier, Comte de Caravas, asked Louis Langlois, Sieur du Ruau, to check that the town was ready to welcome them. From the nobility to the craftsmen, everyone was working hard to ensure that the King of France and his mother discovered the town's riches: the Marsolle family at the Dagoberderie, the Sailland family at Les Cheminées. This was an opportunity to discover the boom in tanneries, falconry, the collegiate church of St Denis and the Arena...
For Saumur (departure in front of the town hall - place de la République).
Jean Andouis: In the footsteps of Saumur's Protestants.
The Protestant presence in Saumur profoundly changed the town. From the church of St Nicolas, via the town hall, Place St Pierre and the Temple, discover the life of the Protestants in Saumur, and how they influenced the town's urban space. You'll also learn about Duplessis-Mornay, Capelle, Anne Dacier and a certain William Penn.
To Saumur (departure Place Charles de Foucault - in front of the Cavalry Museum).
Let yourself be guided by Lucien Rousteau, a bourgeois, through the streets of Saumur to discover an unusual Saumur, full of surprises. From the Masonic lodges up to the castle to discover the story of a prophetess, the incredible story of Joseph Noblé, the conspiracy of the Knights of Liberty to James Combier, he will also show you how a stone from the Bastille came to be in Saumur.
To Le Puy-Notre-Dame (departure from the Collégiale).
Etienne Bonnefois is on his way to Compostela. Stopping off at Le Puy Notre Dame to see the Virgin's belt, he met a group of pilgrims. This is an opportunity to discover the town and the history of the Holy Belt through the Cordelières convent, the town walls, the houses of the canons, the house known as the Cailleau d'or, Château Roquet and Château Perdriau, where Grignon lived. But also how the rise of the vine has influenced the village.
For Montreuil-Bellay (departure from Rue Georges Girouy - Ruins level).
Louis Havard, sieur de Beauvais: "Montreuil-Bellay at the time of the Longuevilles".
The Duchess of Longueville was assigned to the Château de Montreuil-Bellay. Louis Havart, Sieur de Beauvais, who has been asked to inspect the town, takes the opportunity to tell you all about a Montreuil-Bellay that is thriving despite the troubled times. From the Nobis to the Ardilliers and the Grange aux dîmes, Louis Havard will also tell you about Dr René Moreau, Sestier de Champrobert and Françoise Clausier.
