Places to see in ( Saumur - France )
Places to see in ( Saumur - France )
Saumur is a town in western France. Overlooking the Loire river, the Château de Saumur is a medieval castle with a museum displaying archaeological finds, ceramics and tapestries. The National Riding School, home to the Cadre Noir display team, is known for its equestrian shows. The Cavalry Museum traces French military history with exhibits of uniforms and weapons. Hundreds of tanks are housed in the Armor Museum.
Saumur is situated at the southern end of Anjou, at the confluence of the Thouet and the Loire Rivers, in an area of ancient settlement. Saumur dates back to the fourth century BC - it was created as a small village in ancient times called simply ‘Mur’ with people who lived in caves (called ‘habitations troglodytes’), dug along the sides of steep mountain ranges to the east of Saumur. Although best known for the Chateau de Saumur, this attractively located town has other attractions that will also detain you.
Nestling in the heart of the Anjou vineyards, the medieval town of Saumur, nicknamed the pearl of Anjou, is a very scenic place with its magnificent turreted château overlooking the Loire Valley and old town stretching along the wild river. Surrounded by fortifications, the castle of the Dukes of Anjou is houses a decorative arts museum and a horse museum. It also offers a stunning panoramic view over the roofs of the town and the Loire River. Below, the historic centre of Saumur is the perfect place for a stroll – along the narrow streets edged by old houses and around Saint-Pierre square where there are old timber-framed houses and a church containing stalls and tapestries.
The Place Saint Pierre is particularly attractive with the imposing church of Saint Pierre which dates to the 12 and 13th centuries and contains some lovely stained glass windows. Also on the square are some attractive half-timber buildings from the 15 and 16th centuries. If you head uphill from here on the 'Montée du Forté you get to some more charming half-timber buildings. One of these, the Maison des Compagnons was built in the 15th century and is the last of the medieval buildings that was built inside the fortified walls that once surrounded the castle.
One of the key buildings of Saumur is the Maison du Roi (House of the king) which was built in the 15th century. It is a beautiful building and has housed various kings and queens in its time including Charles VII, Henri IV, Louis XIII, Marie de Medicis and the queen mother Anne of Austria. There are a number of elegant mansions in Saumur. The Maison des Anges on Rue Fourrier was built in the 17th century and has cherubs decorating its facade. The Hôtel du Belvédère on Quai Mauaud was originally a hotel for travellers. It has a fine neo-classical facade and and a belvedere offering it great views over the river. The Rue du Temple has a few fine manor houses and the 17th century Hôtel de Sourdé is one of the best.
Among the religious buildings to visit in Saumur are the Chapelle royale Notre Dame des Ardilliers (XIV century), a pilgrimage destination for many centuries. It is a large and beautiful church with a façade adorned with porticos and illuminated from inside by large windows. Another renowned institution of Saumur is its riding school, founded in 1771 with the task of training officers. It was moved to Versailles in 1822, but in 1824 it was back to Saumur, where it still exists, making the city one of the main centres of riding around France, where horses follow a standardized training that lasts five years. The school conceived a horse show, the ‘Cadre Noir’, so called because the Knights (officers and NCOs) wear a completely black uniform and gold spurs. The show consists of displays in which the rider controls the horse from the ground using long reins.
Alot to see in Saumur such as :
Musée des Blindés
Château de Saumur
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Pierre et Lumière
Musée du Champignon
Cadre Noir
Musée de Cavalerie de Saumur
Église Saint-Pierre
Loire Boat Trip
Dolmen de Bagneaux
Musée du Moteur
hôtel de ville, Tours
Wine Tourism
Loire à Vélo
Combier distillery
( Saumur - France ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Saumur . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Saumur - France
Join us for more :