What to do in Saumur?

Two days is almost too short. But one thing is for sure, these 41^e Heritage and matrimony days in Saumurois (Maine-et-Loire) promise to be more than busy. Last year, the city’s sites welcomed more than 30,000 people rejoices Judith Grima, assistant in particular for entertainment and City of Art and History. It is a long-term job to prepare this event which is dear to us and which allows us to highlight the exceptional heritage of Saumurois, while making it accessible to all. she continues. This year, the national theme, a common thread in France, is structured around the “heritage of routes, networks and connections”with the sub-theme of “maritime heritage” who, in Saumur and its surroundings, will obviously be more focused on river transport specifies the municipality.

The OFF du patrimoine returns with a new escape game

Building on its success last year with a new investigation game that plunged participants into the 18th century on the trail of salt smugglers, the art and history department has innovated for this 2^e edition of the OFF du patrimoine. An intense preamble, which this year will take the form of an escape game. Until Sunday, September 22, 2024, the curious are invited to participate in The ultimate secret of the tower in the heart of the Grénetière tower. This year, the bar has been raised a notch with an intermediate level assumes Catherine Russac, head of the Saumur Town of Art and History department. The troupe of actors from the Trésor des Ducs d’Anjou will accompany us once again, on this game designed from A to Z by the service teams .

Practical information: Game without financial participation. Open to all from 14 years old. Duration: 1 hour. Maximum of five players per team. By reservation at 02-41-83-30-31 or [email protected].

Matrimony still in the spotlight

For the third year in a row, these days will also focus on matrimony, meaning the strong desire to highlight the cultural heritage of women of yesterday and today. If the first year had aroused emotion among a certain number of people, which we overcame without difficulty, we continue to fully assume this heritage – matrimony reorientation supports Jackie Goulet from the outset. It is in this sense that several meetings around women winemakers, gastronomic producers or even winemakers are organized. In Saumur, on the side of the media library and the Veuve Amiot cellars. And in several municipalities, such as Gennes-Val-de-Loire, Doué-en-Anjou, Le Thoureil or even Les Rosiers-sur-Loire.

Circuits, the perfect compromise

Strolling in the Saumurois on dedicated routes to combine nature and architectural discoveries, on foot, by bike, on horseback and even by canoe? It’s possible! Whether from Montsoreau to Gennes-Val-de-Loire, on the Loire (plan the day), or even, on the entire Saumur coast, through a 30.5 km cycle loop, all opportunities are good to venture out and visit. Between Blou and Neuillé, a walking circuit (4 hours), also allows you to observe the landscapes of the valley, while stopping at two churches.

Practical information: More information from the Saumur tourist office on 02-41-40-20-60.

New things to discover

If many sites play the game every year, there are also those who embark on the adventure of these European Heritage and Matrimony Days in Saumurois. This year, 8 Saumur sites and 16 urban area sites have been added to the list says Judith Grima. The opportunity to discover, among other things, a video of the old wall of Saumur, made in 3D by a student or to visit the historic 18th century apartments of the Hôtel Blancler, with ceremonial lounges and antechambers. It is also possible to participate in guided tours of Gennes-Val-de-Loire in the 19th century^e century or even to discover the ancestral art of apple tapping in Turquant.

Key figures

On this 41^e edition, 35 municipalities will participate out of the 45 that make up the Saumur Val de Loire agglomeration. In total, 215 events, including 68 in Saumur and 147 in the rest of the agglomeration are scheduled. It took the city’s teams 6 months to contact the owners, convince some of them to open their doors and thus allow visitors to have a wide choice of places to discover.