Tourism and winetourism

GLOBAL RECOGNITION

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 40,000 hectares of vineyards and 350 estates spread over the entire vineyard, the Loire Valley is France’s 1^st wine tourism place.

Amongst wineries, vineyards, estates, troglodytic caves, castles and gardens... There are countless places where you can explore the region and the Saumur wine-growing area. Saumur- Champigny is a proud representative of this touristic area, and there are 76 wineries with direct cellar sales and 24 labelled ‘Tourist Wineries’ which welcome visitors for local tours.

ABBAYE ROYALE DE FONTEVRAUD

The largest monastery town in Europe with a history going back nine centuries. Vine cultivation dates back from 1101 and was practised by the abbesses who lived here. Today, the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud has become renowned for its art, history and culture with, amongst other things, a hotel and a gourmet restaurant.

CHÂTEAU DE SAUMUR

Located on the historic road of the Valley of the Kings, the Château de Saumur is one of the famous of the Loire Valley châteaux. Formerly a royal palace, a prison, and then a weapons depot, the Château de Saumur today opens its garden and doors to visitors and hosts many events. The panorama of the Loire and the city here is breathtaking.

CHÂTEAU DE MONTSOREAU CONTEMPORY ART MUSEUM

A pioneer in the architectural style of the Renaissance, the Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art is an artistic centre of the Loire Valley. Built on a rocky outcrop located in the course of the Loire, its location gives earns it the distinction of being the only castle of the Loire to have been built on the river bed; at the very spot where the Vienne flows into the Loire and becomes the widest river in France.

Whether by VW minibus, river barge, hot air balloon, tandem, horse-drawn carriage, you can explore the winery through means of transport that are full of character.

The winemakers of the appellation will be happy to welcome you for a stay in the region. Contact the union for an individual or collective press reception.