Saumur is a small city and commune in the Maine-et-Loire département of France on the Loire River, with an approximate population of 30,000 (in 2001).

Sights

The region is noted for its beautiful centuries-old homes and churches, fine wines, and mushroom caves. At the Musée du Champignon visitors can find out how mushrooms are grown underground. The city is also famous for its factory where the Edict of Nantes. During the French Wars of Religion, Huguenots used the troglodyte caves to hide. In recent years many of the troglodyte houses have been rebuilt and are open to visitors while others have been restored and occupied.

In the background of the photo, Château Saumur sits high on a spur of the tall cliff looking down on the Loire River at the mouth of the Thouet River. Constructed as a fortified stronghold, after its destruction in 1067 the chateau was rebuilt by a member of the powerful Plantagenet family. In the first part of the 20th century, the city of Saumur acquired the chateau and began a restoration program to house the museum of the decorative arts. In line with the Saumur area's equestrian tradition and its famous “Cadre Noir,” the chateau also serves as a Museum of the Horse.

Saumur has ancient ties to the military, going back to the 18th century when the cavalry school was founded here; this school is now the school of armored cavalry. The Musee des Blindés is dedicated to the history of tank warfare and the Musée de la Cavalerie has cavalry history and depictions of battle scenes and old uniforms.

Miscellaneous

Saumur is home to the Cadre Noir, the École nationale d'équitation (National equestrian school), known for its annual horse shows, as well as the officer school for armored forces (tanks).

Births

Saumur was the birthplace of:

• Anne Lefèvre (1654-1720), better known during her lifetime as Madame Dacier, scholar and translator from the classics
• Charles Ernest Beulé (1826-1874), archeologist
• Coco Chanel (1883-1971), internationally renowned fashion designer
• Yves Robert, (1920-2002), actor, composer, director, writer, producer
• Fanny Ardant, (b. 1949), actress
• Dominique Pinon, (b. 1955), actor

Related usages

• Saumur is an appelation for wines produced in the Saumur region.
• Saumur is the title of a song from hard rock band Trust (whose lyrics express their poor opinion of the city: narrow-minded, bourgeois and militaristic).