In the bright summer sun the pretty town of
Saumur
on the banks of the Loireriver,
gives off a
yellow glow as
its buildings of white tufa
stone reflect the
light. Whatever way you choose to enter
the town it is the graceful chateau you will appreciate
first because of its dominant position overlooking the
Loire.
The town itself
is one that immediately gives you a welcoming feeling and a
desire to stop and rest a while! There are a number of restored older town
houses and around place St-Pierre you will find several
inexpensive restaurants with menus to suit most pockets. You
cannot fail to be impressed when walking along the riverside
with the chateau overlooking you on one side and the river
on the other.
Saumur has a long history with horses as it was home to the
French Calvary Academy, and is home to the Cadre Noir
horsemen, based at the French National Riding School, whose
performances of riding tricks and skills only helps confirm
their status as some of the best horsemen in the world. The
annual Carousel (an equestrian show that takes place in
July) draws thousands of visitors.
Saumur
is also
home to the ArmouredAcademy
(which replaced the Calvary)
and there is a tank museum- Musee
des Blindes- with the largest
display in Europe
and perhaps the world. The collection offers an opportunity
to have an uninterrupted technical and historical overview
of the tank since its first appearance on the battlefield.
Missed opportunity here however as it's a case of 'look,
don't touch'-kids young and old would just love to climb
on/sit in a real 'Tiger' tank!!
The originates
from the 14th century but it was in the 15th
that it was made into a comfortable residence by Duke Rene
d’ Anjou. During its long history it has been the governor’s
house, a jail before the town purchased it in 1906 to
restore and turn it into the tourist attraction it is today.
The former royal apartments now house two museums – ‘Musee
des Arts Decoratifs’ and
Museedu
Cheval’. The first houses European china and tapestries with
the second located in the attic of the chateau being
dedicated to equestrian pursuits where you are taken into a
world of saddlery from across
the world –all lovingly worked.
Within
the Anjou region 28 different wine labels happily live
together withtwo grape varieties
dominating the scene: Chenin for white wines like Saumur,
Saumur-Champigny as well as
rosés: Cabernet d'Anjou, Rosé de
Loire and Rosé d'Anjou. The
Saumur wines never fail to please with their sparkling
variety being just what you need, well chilled, on a hot
summer’s day to get that light feeling that allows you to
slip into ‘French mode’ easily.
About 7km from Saumur at Parnay,
you can taste and buy red and sparkling Saumur-Champigny
wines from the troglodyte caves of the Château
du
Marconnay.
The Grande Tablée of
Saumur Champigny
1st and 2nd August :
At Place de la République in Saumur for two nights only, the
biggest restaurant in the world is formed using two
kilometres of tables. 3 tonnes of galia melons and red
fruits, 2,5 tonnes of cold meats and 3000 bottles of Saumur-Champigny
are served. Numerous musical presentations help make this
evening a rousing success.The
food is not brilliant but the occasion is amazing - and the
wine's not bad, either.
The Meadow House is a two bedroom cottage in the charming village of Blou 15km north of Saumur. The terrace and garden overlook the meadow. In summer you can enjoy the shade of the pergola, barbecue and hammock for relaxing on holiday Your stay will be romantic, quiet with a true taste of France..
Saumur
is also
home to the 
