Things to do

As well as all the named places to visit, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy various pastimes in the area. The River Thouet, and other neighbouring rivers, have good fishing, as well as canoeing. There are three golf courses within reasonable driving distance, equipment hire available. You can hire bicycles to explore pretty tracks or, for the more energetic, there are signposted walks around the town and beyond.

If it is Saumur’s reputation as France’s centre of equitation that has attracted you to the area, you might like to have an hour’s intensive riding instruction, or go out on a longer hack.

The rivers are a haven for wildlife. You can take a boat trip on the Loire, visit one of the river observatories or join one of the bird-watching walks that are organised from time to time.

And, of course, there is the wine – hundreds of vineyards, many allowing you to taste and buy their wine – and marked wine trails to follow.

For more ideas of things to do in the Loire region, click on this link to the Chateautourisme website: