Château de Saumur
A castle of white limestone on a bluff above the Loire, depicted in the illustrations of the 'Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.'
Saumur Castle stands on a hill on the left bank of the Loire, built from local white tuffeau limestone. In the 14th century Louis I, Duke of Anjou, remodeled it into a luxurious palace, and its image appears on the September page of the celebrated 'Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.' The castle is now a municipal museum with collections of decorative arts and horse-related objects, and from the ramparts you can overlook the Loire and the old town of Saumur. Admission is about €7, and it is often closed in winter. Saumur is also known for its sparkling wine and its limestone cellars, so you can visit a winery on the way.
Opening hours
About April–October, 10:00–18:00 (closed in winter)
Nearby sights
- Saumur Old Town & Place Saint-Pierre
- Notre-Dame de Nantilly
- Distillerie Combier
- Musée de la Cavalerie
- Musée des Blindés (Tank Museum)
- Dolmen de Bagneux
- Maison Ackerman Cellars
- Musée du Champignon