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An elegant getaway in Saumur

Just a few minutes from the Loudunais region, Saumur exudes a surprisingly gentle energy: a bright town centre, a river that shapes the landscape, cultural sites that are a pleasure to explore and a real identity driven byhorse-riding, wine and tufa stone.

Here, you can go from a horse show to a troglodytic cellar, from a stroll along the banks of the Loire to a visit to a museum, without ever feeling like you’re forcing the pace. The city moves along at a brisk but pleasant pace. It’s this lively mix, rooted in its history, that makes it a destination you won’t want to miss.

Le Cadre Noir: a place of equestrian excellence

It’s hard to talk about Saumur without mentioning this world-renowned institution. At the Cadre Noir, public presentations, commented rehearsals and major galas give you the chance to observe at close quarters the work of the riders and their relationship with the horses. The rigour of the movements and the progression of the exercises are always impressive.

If you don’t know anything about horse-riding, the stands are surprisingly close to the arena, making the experience accessible to everyone. You’ll discover a unique know-how that is still very much alive, giving Saumur a special place in theequestrian world. If you have the opportunity to visit Saumur, it’s a real highlight, as much for the artistic dimension as for the immersion in an exceptional heritage.

Two museums, two special features in Saumur

If you’re a fan of originality, you’ll love what follows. First, we take you to the Musée des Blindés. The site is impressive from the moment you enter: dozens of tanks, historic vehicles, prototypes and restored machines tell the story of a century ofmilitary engineering. The explanations are clear, the exhibits speak for themselves and the occasional demonstrations give a better understanding of how these extraordinary machines work. This is a technical but accessible museum, where you can move freely between the emblematic models and the rarer pieces.

In complete contrast, but just as surprising, the Mushroom Museum immerses visitors in the cool atmosphere of troglodytic galleries. Here you can find out how mushrooms are grown underground, why Saumur is a historic cradle of mushroom production, and what varieties come out of these caves: shiitake, oyster, blue foot… Practical panels, educational areas and a few tastings make learning effortless.

These two very different tours both show what makes the region so special: an assertive blend of history, technique and local know-how.

Musée des Blindes

Saumur's unique underground heritage

If you enjoyed your visit to the Mushroom Museum, you should know that there are other sites to discover in the town’s many troglodytic galleries. Indeed, beneath Saumur, miles of caves dug into the tufa rock create a veritable second landscape, invisible from the surface.

Some of these galleries are still home to wineries, where the wines rest in ideal conditions. Others have been converted into cultural trails, interpretation areas or themed sites to explain the history of these quarries and their successive uses. The visit immerses you in a cool, silent, mineral atmosphere that contrasts with the luminous atmosphere of the Loire.

It’s a complementary and surprising way toexplore Saumur, discovering what the town hides beneath its feet as much as what it exposes in broad daylight.

Tasting operation in Saumur

You can’t leave without tasting the Crémant de Loire, the local emblem made using traditional methods. Visits to the cellars explain how the sparkling wine is made, how it is matured on laths and the role of the tuffeau, whose natural freshness ensures slow, regular maturation. Tastings allow you to taste the differences between the different cuvées, compare the dosage and appreciate the precision of the winemakers’ work.

In town, the Distillerie Combier offers a different kind of expertise. Here, copper stills, old recipe books and historic liqueurs (including the famous Triple Sec) tell the story of theregion’s aromatic identity. The tour includes distillation workshops, explanations of the plants used and guided tastings that reveal the full range of flavours.

Following the course of the Loire from Saumur

Around Saumur, the Loire sets the pace. The river is a constant companion, offering changing panoramas and linking some of the finest Châteaux in the Loire Valley, all within easy reach of the town. To get as close as possible to the river, a trip on a “toue cabanée” is an unforgettable experience: slow navigation, the silence of the river, birdwatching… The river is also an ideal area for soft mobility. The Loire à Vélo cycle route passes through Saumur and offers easy-to-read, safe routes dotted with tufa stone villages and nature stops. The route is just as suitable for experienced cyclists as it is for those who simply want to pedal for an hour between two visits. This not-to-be-missed event, which takes place at the end of June, brings together vintage bikes, retro outfits and routes designed between the Loire and the vineyards. The event also appeals to heritage lovers and those who come for the festive, offbeat atmosphere.

Saumur offers a rich, easy-to-explore and always attractive package. A destination that makes you want to come back, if only to rediscover the simple elegance that is its signature.

Saumur

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