Saumur Attractions
The medieval town of Saumur, halfway between Angers and Tours, lies on the left bank of the Loire amid the smiling countryside of Anjou. On the outskirts of the town are numbers of cellars hewn from the limestone rock. This is also an important mushroom growing center: three-quarters of all the champignons de Paris produced in France come from the cellars of Saumur. In 1763 Saumur became the depot of the French cavalry, and the National Cavalry School is still based here.
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Château
The chateau at Saumur rises majestically above the Loire valley and was once nicknamed the "castle of love" by King Rene.
Boumois
This chateau is currently under restoration but is still sometimes open to the public. Of particular note is its Renaissance door of carved wood and an outstanding collection of 15th and 16th C. arms and armor, furniture and paintings.
Cavalry and Armored Forces Museum
Northwest of the square, in the complex of buildings occupied by the Cavalry School, is the Cavalry and Armored Forces Museum.
Hôtel de Ville
On the south side of the Place de la République, which lies on the bank of the Loire, are the two buildings of the Hôtel de Ville; the one on the left dates from the 16th C, while the one on the right-hand side of the square is the neo-classical Theater.
Notre-Dame de Nantilly
In the south of the town, west of the Jardin des Plantes (Botanic Garden), is the beautiful Romanesque church of Notre-Dame de Nantilly (12th century; rebuilt in 17th century), with an aisle in Flamboyant (Late Gothic) style and fine capitals.
St Pierre
The church of St-Pierre is also Romanesque, with a 17th C facade. Both churches have fine Aubusson tapestries (15th-17th C).
