Ancien hôtel de la Guérinière

The former Hôtel de la Guérinière is one of the town's few buildings dating from before the French Revolution.

On 8 June 1794, after the 1,235 inhabitants of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil had been transferred to Saumur, the town was burnt down by Republican General Turreau's "Colonnes Infernales", on the orders of the Committee of Public Safety.

Today, only the old Hôtel de la Guérinière remains, with its recently restored turret and porch, to bear witness to the existence of the old town.

After the crossing of the Loire, the Revolutionary Committee met here, with General Moulin at its head. It is said that he dressed in trousers tanned from human skin, and it was under his command that the first executions began, including the one at Champs des Martyrs at Christmas 1793. He was replaced by General Legros in 1794, who continued the executions.