In the
bright summer sun the pretty town of
Saumur
on the banks of the
Loire
river,
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.
It 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
Musee du
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.
From its lofty position you have
great views of the town and river -- it is worth parking
riverside and hiking up the hill to appreciate this as well
as the chateau itself.
