Turquant Troglodyte Village
Turquant
A cliffside troglodyte village on the Loire, with artisan workshops in the caves and a windmill built atop the caves.
Turquant lies on the riverbank between Saumur and Montsoreau, where many dwellings have been carved into tuffeau cliffs. One section has been converted into the Village des Métiers d'Art (Village of Craft Arts), where cave workshops produce pottery, leather goods, glass, and more. The village also has a cave workshop that makes traditional dried apples (pommes tapées). North of the village stands the Elpinière windmill, a rare windmill built on top of caves. The village can be explored free of charge, and the Loire cycling route passes through it.
Opening hours
Open all day (workshops open about April–October)
Nearby sights
- Château de Montsoreau
- Candes-Saint-Martin
- Fontevraud Abbey
- Château de Brézé
- Musée des Blindés (Tank Museum)
- Château de Saumur
- Notre-Dame de Nantilly
- Saumur Old Town & Place Saint-Pierre