La Loire by bike
Discover the Loire by bike with an 800 km itinerary, the banks of the Loire, the Châteaux, the troglodyte villages, the wine cellars and the grape varieties of Anjou and the Loire, a breathtaking route...
Here are some websites to help you organise your cycling trip:
www.loireavelo.fr
www.lavelofrancette.com
www.francevelotourisme.com
www.anjou-velo.com
www.anjou-tourisme.com
Le Château de Saumur
A fortress in the 13th century under the rule of Saint Louis, then the palace of the Dukes of Anjou... The Château de Saumur majestically overlooks the Loire. Successively the residence of the city's governors, a prison and then an arms and munitions depot, the monument has been home to the municipal museum since 1912. Over the last ten years or so, the Château de Saumur has been the subject of a meticulous restoration campaign.
Find here all the news and activities in all seasons: www.chateau-saumur.fr/a-voir-a-faire/animations
In September, come and take part in the Château's harvest with your family.
Le Cadre Noir
Le Cadre Noir, established in Saumur since 1825, is a corps of elite French riders, instructors at the National Riding School.
Traditional French horse riding, of which Le Cadre Noir is the most illustrious representative, has been included since 2011 on UNESCO's “List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.
Go behind the scenes of a unique site in France!
Immerse yourself in the heart of Le Cadre Noir universe thanks to guided tours, Mornings, Galas and share a special moment in contact with the horses.
Le Château de Brézé
According to the archives, the Château de Brézé was built in 1063, and is considered to be the largest underground fortress in Europe...
Over a kilometre long, the circuit has been open to the public since 1998 for small groups or individuals.
Take advantage of your visit to taste their special vintages. (10 kms south of Saumur)
The Château was listed as a Historic Monument on the 6th of March 1979.
L'Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud
A 13-hectare site on the border between Angevine, Poitou and Touraine, Fontevraud Abbey is one of the largest monastic cities in Europe...
Founded in 1101 by Robert d'Arbrissel as a Benedictine monastery, Fontevraud Abbey was a double monastery until the French Revolution, when it was converted into a penal establishment until 1963.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, the monastic complex now comprises two of the original four monasteries.
The largest is the Grand Moutiers monastery, which is open to the public and houses the abbey church, the Romanesque kitchen and the 12th-century chapel of St Benoît.
Some of the buildings now house seminar rooms.
The Saint Lazare priory, whose church dates back to the 12th century, has been converted into a hotel.
Le Château de Montreuil-Bellay
A historic Château and wine estate.
Between the power of the Middle Ages and the refinement of the Renaissance, stroll through the hanging gardens above the River Thouet, climb the fortifications and ramparts, admire the medieval kitchen, the unusual canons' dwelling and its seigniorial oven, the magnificent vaulted cellars and then wander through the richly furnished rooms of the Château.
Le village de Rochemenier
Troglodyte village of Rochemenier, one of the region's not-to-be-missed sites.
The village of Rochemenier is located on the plain and offers visitors two old farms with dwellings and outbuildings dug into the rock and house several hundred farming tools and furniture, a farmyard with rustic animals and an underground chapel.
Le Château de la Mothe Chandeniers
A magnificent little gem of romance in its green setting to visit without delay.
And if you feel like it, become a co-castle!
Bioparc de Doué la Fontaine
Twenty minutes from Le Petit Hureau, the Doué la Fontaine Biopark is located in a remarkable troglodytic site made up of old sand pits...
You'll discover a collection of spectacular animals in a maze of rocks in the heart of luxuriant and sometimes wild vegetation.
The Doué la Fontaine Biopark plays an active role in protecting endangered species.
Its location in a troglodytic site makes it one of the most beautiful zoos in Europe.
The visit lasts 3 hours.