Attractions and Places To See in Loire-Anjou-Touraine - Top 20

A castle-palace of the Dukes of Anjou in the 19th and 19th centuries, the Château de Saumur, where King René resided, is the last example of the princely palaces built by the Valois dynasty. It served as the residence of the city's governors, a prison, and later an arms and ammunition depot. It was purchased by the city in 1906 to house the municipal museum, now the Musée de France. Today, we discover the rich collections scattered throughout the former apartments of the Dukes of Anjou in an educational museography. Want to know more? Click here: https://www.ot-saumur.fr/en/castles-and-country-houses/Saumurcastle-5261718/

Very nice gravel along the banks of the Loire. Know that you are not alone here. Enjoy together, each at their own pace.

The Fête du Thoureil, a festival of Loire barges, is an Angevin tradition that takes place every year in spring on the banks of the Loire at Thoureil, in Maine-et-Loire, between Saumur and Angers. The programme includes barges and old Loire sailing ships, and Loire festivities. It is considered the first festival of Loire barges between Nantes and Tours.

Here you are in front of the 'Sleeping Beauty Castle'. Once upon a time there was a castle with a magical aura, overlooking the Indre and the Loire… so beautiful that it inspired Charles Perrault to write his Sleeping Beauty. Young and old, immerse yourself in castle life and the scenes from this fairy tale come to life before your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand, Le Nôtre and the Blacas family, who still live in this illustrious castle in the Loire Valley.

Once upon a time, there was a castle with a magical aura, overlooking the Indre and the Loire… so beautiful that it inspired Charles Perrault to write Sleeping Beauty. Young and old, immerse yourself in castle life and the scenes from this fairy tale come to life before your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand, Le Nôtre and the Blacas family, who still live in this illustrious castle in the Loire Valley. PREPARE YOUR VISIT: 2025 From 15 February to 31 March: 10am – 6pm. From 1 April to 30 September: 10am – 7pm. From 1 October to 11 November: 10am – 6pm. Prices: Adult (+ 16 years): € 14.50 Child from 8 to 16 years: € 7.50 Child (under 8 years): Free

If you follow the routes, be careful not to end up on a highway without bicycle lanes

Overlooking the Indre and the Loire, Ussé stands majestically like a fairytale castle. Its history begins well before the construction of the current monument, under the leadership of Gelduin I who had the first stronghold built more than a millennium ago. A new building, more solid and more sumptuous, was built in the second half of the 15th century by Jean V de Bueil, victorious in the Hundred Years' War and captain of King Charles VII. The elegance and finesse of the Renaissance will soon further embellish the Château d’Ussé. Over the centuries, the rooms have been decorated and richly furnished. The visit allows you to discover, after passing through the entrance hall, a unique guard room: the splendid 17th century trompe l'oeil ceiling imitating marble covers a beautiful collection of weapons and oriental objects. The refinement of Ussé reaches its peak in the 17th century salon, a completely renovated room which bears the evocative name of Vauban, the famous Marshal whose daughter married the Marquis de Valentinay, son of the illustrious owner of the castle. Generations come and go while Ussé continues to tirelessly improve. The latest modifications date from the 19th century, when the Countess of La Rochejacquelin decorated the tops of the doors, installed the spiral staircase in the entrance hall and built a neo-Gothic gallery. The Château d’Ussé is a monument that leaves you dreaming both for its architecture and its history. The route along the walkway takes you into a completely different world: that of fantastic stories and fairy tales. Through beautiful depictions of wax figures, everyone is immersed in the world of Sleeping Beauty. We can of course see the fairy Carabosse, Prince Charming and the three benevolent fairies godmothers of Princess Aurore. A fun nod to Charles Perrault who, seduced by the Château d'Ussé, chose to make it the scene of his famous tale. The park of the Château d'Ussé is an exceptional setting, notably composed of the French garden designed by André Le Nôtre in 1664. In addition, the shadows of the cedars of Lebanon, offered by Chateaubriand to the Duchess of Duras in the 19th century, rub shoulders with the stones of the Sainte-Anne d'Ussé chapel can also be visited. Built between 1535 and 1538 at the request of Charles d'Espinay and Lucrèce de Pons, it retains an absolutely remarkable lintel. Ussé is a completely private estate belonging to the same family for more than two centuries. The Duke of Blacas invites you to browse the furnished rooms of his incredible home and to discover each year a new exhibition of costumes from various eras. From the underground to the attic, including the King's bedroom, the stables, the incredible grand staircase and the kitchens, this monument is an encouragement to delve into our history and to re-immerse ourselves in the most famous tales of our literature. .

The castle is definitely worth seeing, especially with children. The Tolkien exhibition, well, and perhaps the 150 Stirrups aren't something you need to see. But the knights' armour, the furnished rooms and the castle itself are interesting for small children. In 1-1.5 hours you can see everything for free, adults 8 euros.