Saumur, pure elegance in Anjou
Think Saumur, think elegance. The town has a very distinguished air thanks to the chalky tufa stone château perched high on the bank of the river Loire. Many of the buildings are made of the same white stone, giving a harmony that earned the town its nickname of “La Cité Blanche”.
A long equestrian tradition
Saumur elevates equestrianism to an art. Whether you are a horse-lover or not, you’ll rave about the skill and mastery of the Cadre noir riders who give regular gala performances with their majestic mounts.
A trip to Saumur is not complete without a visit to the famous National Riding School.
The instructors continue to teach century’s old traditions and techniques to new generations of top-level riders from all over the world. You’ll feel privileged to watch a morning training session and the splendour of an evening show is simply unforgettable.
Extraordinary geology, extraordinary settings
Local wine growers use the tufa stone caves to mature their delicious softly sparkling methode traditionnelle wines.
Pay one of them a visit and discover the secrets of Saumur’s refined effervescence. The Maison des Vins in the town centre is also a mine of information about the local wines. Drop by and have a chat while you weigh up the merits of the various vintages.
Troglodyte houses are a must-see in the region of Saumur. There are some beautiful tufa stone mansions in town and you can even stay in a troglodyte B&B and experience modern-day cave-dwelling first hand!
Exceptional craftsmanship
Saumur’s age-old enthusiasm for all things equine influences its local culture and crafts. In the leather workshops dotted around town, you’ll find excellent quality traditional boot makers or craftsmen who produce beautiful hand stitched saddles.
Saumur is also home to the famous Combier distillery which invented triple sec liqueur. Once you’ve explored the town, head off to the countryside and visit the many attractions around Saumur, the arts and crafts in the troglodyte village of Turquant or the craftsman soap factory Martin de Candre. Above or below ground, there’s always plenty to do and see!
