CHÂTEAU DE SAUMUR

For centuries, Saumur has breathed to the rhythm of its castle. Visible for miles around from its rocky peak, this fortress is just like the castles in our history books and fairy tales.

Castle-palace of the Dukes of Anjou in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Château de Saumur, in which King René resided, is the last example of the princely palaces built by the Valois dynasty. Originally the residence of the town's governors, then a prison and later an arms and munitions depot, it was bought by the town in 1906 to house the municipal museum, now a Musée de France. Today, the rich collections housed in the former flats of the Dukes of Anjou are displayed in an educational museography.

On the 1st floor of the building, you can admire the Decorative Arts section. Furniture, tapestries and ceramics from the 14th to the 18th centuries are on display. On the 2nd floor, the size of the horse collection, with over 7,200 pieces of harness, books and works of art, means that the themes on display are regularly renewed. And always... an exceptional view over the Loire and the city!

On the second floor of the Château, discover the temporary exhibition "Games and jousting on horseback":
Since Antiquity, the horse has offered mankind its strength and speed, often for the sole benefit of the elite. During competitions, riders and drivers have selected the best animals. They have taken on tough opponents and thrilled the crowds that have come to admire them. Alone against all, in duels or in teams, in a field lined with lices or on open ground, they pushed back the limits of the game, even if it meant risking their lives.
In three sections, the exhibition looks at the birth of the Olympic and Panhellenic Games. Martial games, tournaments, jousts and carousels highlight the various techniques used to train for war over a wide period, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The third section presents the most popular team games: polo, pãto (horse-ball) and buzkachi.

The castle lookout: a unique panorama!
Overlooking the roofs of the château, it offers a magnificent view of the town and the Loire. This guided tour takes in new rooms and a double spiral staircase, a rare testament to the architectural genius of the 14th century.
The belvedere is open to visitors from June 1 to September 30. Duration: 30 minutes per group of 8 people maximum.