Saumur
18 km from Camping Paradis les Nobis d’Anjou, do not miss to visit Saumur, an essential stop during your stay in the Loire Valley by campsite.
Recognizable by the elegant silhouette of its Renaissance castle perched above the Loire, Saumur is best known for its equestrian destiny: it was in the 16th century that the first riding academy was founded there. The famous Cadre Noir, a corps of elite riders, gives world-renowned galas.
Straddling the Loire and dominated by its Renaissance castle, Saumur is home to many treasures. Very lively, the city organizes all summer many activities on the theme of the horse, the Loire or the Middle Ages.
The Saumur cavalry school can be visited: you can discover, in the company of a guide, the training rides and the Grand Manège, the saddlery, the costumes and the stables. Family friendly, the visit offers direct contact with the school’s horses, and the opportunity to admire them at work. The Cavalry Museum traces the history of the French cavalry, from its birth under Charles VII to today.
Museums & Wineries in Saumur
Saumur is home to many other museums and sites to visit, especially around wine and military traditions, but not only! The tank museum exhibits a collection of 200 war machines from all over the world, from the first tanks of 14-18 to the last Leclerc. Another museum dedicated to thermal engines, houses restored specimens dating from the mid-19th century to the present day.
Local know-how is showcased through the opening to the public of the Combier distillery, the oldest in the Loire Valley that is still active, or the Mushroom Museum : set up in a mushroom farm in operation, it allows you to learn more about mushrooms and the methods of cultivation and harvesting.
Many cellar visits Saumur Brut and spirits are possible in Saumur and the associated neighbouring municipalities: go to Ackerman, Langlois-Château, Bouvet-Ladubay, Robert & Marcel, Veuve Amiot, Louis de Grenelle, or Gratien & Meyer to unlock the secret of fine bubble wines and enjoy tastings.
Castles and art in Saumur
Still under the rock, the troglodyte site Pierre et Lumière welcomes you in a magical universe : in an underground gallery, twenty of the most beautiful monuments and sites of the Loire Valley have been meticulously carved in tufa stone and highlighted by sublime lighting. Art lovers or enthusiasts, do not miss the Bouvet Ladubay contemporary art center in Saumur, which hosts works by César, Basquiat, or Combas.
The Château de Saumur, perched on a rocky outcrop above the Loire, is an old fortress modified and redeveloped into a pleasure castle by the Dukes of Anjou in the 14th and 15th centuries. It houses a collection of decorative arts objects and an exhibition around the horse. Its gardens are a pleasant place to walk and offer a unique view of the city and the Loire.
Events in Saumur
The city center of Saumur is easily discovered on foot, strolling through the pedestrian streets, but can also be visited by horse-drawn carriage or tourist train. Make a stop at St. Peter’s Square, where you can admire old half-timbered houses and cool off on the terrace. Around the Grand Théâtre, the city comes alive on market days.
Many events and demonstrations punctuate the year in Saumur. During your stay, do not miss the Cadre Noir galas, the harvest festival at the castle, the Loire sailors’ festival in June, or Anjou Vélo Vintage.
3 activities not to be missed in Saumur
The city center is easily discovered on foot, through the pedestrian streets. Make a stop at St. Peter’s Square, where you can admire old half-timbered houses.
Visit the Cadre noir of Saumur, the National Riding School inscribed in 2011 by UNESCO on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Accompanied by a guide, learn about stables, saddlery, rides, horses at work, and costumes.
Do not miss the Fête de la LOIRE in Saumur, barges, traditional flat-bottomed boats invade the Loire to the delight of spectators.
Visit the castle of Saumur built in the 14th and 15th centuries. It houses the Museum of Decorative Arts that of Harnachement.
If you are looking for a holiday rental near Saumur, contact the campsite**** Les Nobis at 02 41 52 33 66 for availability.
