Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, Saumur is surrounded by rivers, castles, vineyards and villages.
Explore charming alleyways, visit small churches and enjoy the peace and quiet.
In this article, we share our selection of the most beautiful villages around Saumur to help you plan your stay.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best villages near Saumur: selection
The Loire Valley is brimming with charming villages and small towns full of character. The list can be very long.
We have:
- selected our favorites and best-known
- listed in order of distance from town
- limited to less than 1 hour's drive from the city
To find all our favorite villages around the Loire castles, see this other article.
1. Candes-Saint-Martin and Monsoreau (20 min)
Why do we love it?
Candes-Saint-Martin still offers a very different experience.
This place is also sometimes listed as Montsoreau.
The 2 villages are actually next to each other: the charming village is Candes but the famous castle on the banks of the Loire is in Montsoreau.
The village is located at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire, a strategic location that allowed the village to develop as a river port.
Here, we like the many houses made of tufa stone, typical of the region and we are sure that you will be surprised by the facade of the church!
Access to the village from Saumur
- Between Angers and Tours, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Saumur = 20 min
Practical information
- Allow 1.5 hours to explore the entire village and the road to the panorama. Add 1h30 to visit the castle of Montsoreau
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets and slopes
- Parking lots at the ends of the village. Very few places in the village
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- See the best rated accommodations around Candes-Saint-Martin
2. Rochemenier: Troglodyte village (25 min)
Why do we love it?
The Village of Rochemenier is an open-air museum.
We really enjoyed wandering from cave to cave, troglodyte house to troglodyte house, discovering how people lived there and learning more about certain techniques.
It's a fun place for adults and children alike.
Access from Saumur
- South-west of Saumur
- 25 min drive
Practical information
- Allow 1 to 2 hours for all explanations, depending on your level of interest.
- Admission €8.50
- Closed in December and January
- Open at least from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed on Mondays
- Official website here.
Alternatives
- Les Maisons Troglodytes des Forges - official website here
- Turquant, wall with house entrances in the village
Find out more about Les Troglodytes de Saumur.
3. Crissay-sur-Manse (55 min)
Why do we love it?
For its calmness. Manu had a deep moment of serenity in this village...
It is not big but absolutely charming.
There are beautiful tufa houses, a flamboyant gothic church, a wash house and the ruins of a 15th century castle that was heavily damaged during the Hundred Years War.
Here, the countryside invites itself into the center: almost everywhere you go you get a glimpse of the fields and nature.
Access to the village from Saumur
- In the south, between Saumur and Tours
- Driving time from Saumur = 55 min
Practical information
- Allow 1 hour to explore the entire village
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Some slopes
- Easy parking around the church
- A few restaurants/cafes - we had lunch on the terrace at the Auberge de Crissay overlooking the countryside and the church. Good products and a great time.
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- To be combined with Chinon and the castle of Azay-le-Rideau
- See the best rated accommodations around Crissay-sur-Manse
4. Béhuard (1h)
Why do we love it?
Béhuard is a very well hidden village. It is known by the locals, but much less by visitors to the region.
It is unique because it is located on a small island between 2 arms of the Loire. So don't miss the entrance from the bridges!
We love to stroll along its main street with the pretty houses along the water.
And we advise you not to miss the village church. It stands on a rock, just a little higher than the rest of the village.
Access to the village from Saumur
- Between Angers and Nantes, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Saumur = 1h
Practical information
- Allow 30min to explore the whole village
- Flat visit
- Large parking lot at the entrance of the village.
- Attention, in case of flood of the Loire, the village will not be accessible
- A creperie / bar
- This village has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Béhuard
5. Savennières (1h)
Why do we love it?
Right next to the Loire River, this site was populated in prehistoric times.
The village developed in the Gallo-Roman period.
But what makes the charm of Savennières are the superb manors and the presbytery, built by the aristocracy of Anjou in the XVIIIth century.
Don't miss the church, which is considered one of the oldest in the region.
And another (very) good reason to visit Savennières is the presence of vineyards all around.
Access to the village from Saumur
- To the southwest of Angers
- Driving time from Saumur = 1h
Practical information
- Allow 30min to 1h to explore the center of the village, more to enjoy the vineyards around
- Easy to explore
- Parking on the Place du Mail or near the railroad tracks
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Savennières
Other villages and towns near Saumur
Le Thoureil
30 minutes away, along the Loire
With its history of inland navigation, you'll find several traditional boats at the foot of the houses.
Baugé-en-Anjou
35 min drive from Saumur.
This small town boasts several surprising historic buildings, including its castle.
Le Puy-Notre-Dame
25 min drive from Saumur.
Small medieval town with beautiful narrow streets and tufa stone buildings.
Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault
20 min from Saumur
Situated on the banks of the Loire, with Tufeau stone buildings, it's a group of 3 villages surrounded by hiking trails.
More ideas in the Loire Valley:
- Best villages near Angers - see list
- Best villages near Tours - see list
- Best villages near Blois - see list
DISCOVER Saumur
- Best things to do in Saumur
- Where to sleep in Saumur: best hotels
- Where to eat in Saumur: best restaurants
- Visit the Château de Saumur
- Visit Fontevraud Abbey
- The most beautiful castles around Saumur
- Saumur's troglodytes
- itineraries: weekend
