Saumur is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, between Angers and Tours. With good train service and easy access by car from major highways, the city is easily reached from most major French cities.
Here, we present all the practical options for getting to Saumur, depending on your starting point and your preferences.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to Get to Saumur
Here's a quick summary:
- By train from Paris Montparnasse: about 2 to 2.5 hours (TER or with a transfer in Tours or Angers) - Book your train tickets now
- By car from Paris (3 hours 20 minutes), Angers (1 hour), or Tours (1 hour) - Rent a car here
- By plane: The nearest airport is Nantes Atlantique (about a 1.5-hour drive) - Compare available flights.
- Day trips from Paris: Visit Mont Saint-Michel and the châteaux of the Loire Valley, including the town of Saumur
WHERE TO STAY IN Angers
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Downtown, to enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
Hôtel L'Oisellerie - see photos and availability
Hotel 21, Foch - prices, pictures and availability
In the surrounding countryside, for greater peace and quiet
Hotel Château des Forges - see photos and availability
Where is Saumur? Map
Saumur is a town in the Maine-et-Loire department, located in the Pays de la Loire region. It runs along the Loire River at the confluence with the Thouet River, between Angers to the west and Tours to the east. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the entire Loire Valley.
Here are the travel times from the major nearby cities:
- From Paris: about 3 hours and 20 minutes by car, 2 to 2.5 hours by train (with a transfer)
- From Angers: about 1 hour by car, 20 minutes by train
- From Tours: about 1 hour by car, 30 minutes by train
- From Nantes: about 1 hour and 50 minutes by car, 1 hour and 10 minutes by train
- From Le Mans: about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes by car
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
By train from Paris and the cities along the Loire River
The train is a convenient way to get to Saumur. The train station is located on the left bank of the Loire River, about a 10- to 20-minute walk from the historic center across the bridge. There are car rental agencies nearby.
From Paris
Saumur does not have a regular direct TGV service from Paris. The trip departs from Paris Montparnasse with a connection in Tours or Angers, and takes a total of 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the schedule. We recommend that you check the schedules in advance to choose the fastest option based on your departure date. Consult timetables and book your train tickets.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
From other cities in the Loire region and the Greater West
Saumur is well connected to the region's major cities via TER trains. Here are the main routes:
- From Angers: about 20 minutes; several trains per hour
- From Tours: about 30 minutes, regular service
- From Nantes: about 1 hour and 10 minutes, sometimes with a transfer in Angers
- From Le Mans: about 1 hour and 30 minutes by regional train
We recommend that you book your tickets in advance, especially during the summer and school holidays. Rates are lower several weeks before departure. Consult timetables and book your train tickets.
The Saumur Train Station
The Saumur train station is well-equipped, with shops and car rental agencies right nearby. From the plaza, you can reach the historic center on foot by crossing the bridge over the Loire (about 10 to 20 minutes) or by taxi in just a few minutes.
By car
A car offers the greatest freedom for exploring Saumur and the surrounding area. The Loire Valley is a great place to explore at your own pace, stopping along the way at castles, wineries, and the villages you pass through. In fact, that's our preferred way to get around when exploring the region.
The Main Routes
- From Paris: Take the A11 highway toward Le Mans, then the A85 toward Saumur. About 3 hours and 20 minutes nonstop. Expect to pay a toll.
- From Angers: Take the A85 highway or the national highway eastbound. About 1 hour.
- From Tours: Take the A85 highway westbound. About 1 hour.
- From Nantes: Take the A11 highway, then the A85. About 1 hour and 50 minutes.
- From Bordeaux: Take the A10, then the A11 and A85. About 3½ hours.
The roads around Saumur are wide and well-marked. Access to the city center remains easy, even for drivers who are not used to French city traffic.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers' beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
Rent a car
If you're arriving by train or plane, renting a car once you're there is a great way to explore the region at your own pace. Several agencies have counters at the train station or in the immediate vicinity. We recommend that you compare offers in advance: rates vary significantly depending on the season, with higher prices from June through August. Compare car rental offers.
Parking in Saumur
Parking in the city center is metered. Among the convenient options, the Centr'Halles parking garage is strategically located just a stone's throw from the main attractions. In addition, the city offers 1,825 free parking spaces located within a 20-minute walk of downtown. Find out more about parking here.
By plane
Saumur does not have a commercial airport. The nearest airport is Nantes Atlantique, about 120 km away, or a 1.5-hour drive under normal conditions. For international travelers, Paris CDG and Paris Orly are good alternatives, especially if you’re combining your stay in the Loire region with a stopover in Paris.
It's time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
From Nantes Atlantique Airport
Nantes Atlantique Airport is served by numerous European airlines and offers long-haul flights via connecting flights. From the terminal, the most direct way to get to Saumur is by rental car: there are rental agencies at the airport, and the route via the A11 and then the A85 is straightforward and well-marked. We recommend this option to travelers who want to head straight out on a road trip through the Loire region as soon as they arrive. Compare available flights.
You can also take a shuttle or tram to Nantes first, and then take a train to Saumur (about 1 hour and 10 minutes, with a transfer in Angers). This outfit is a good choice if you don't want to drive.
DISCOVER Angers
From Paris CDG or Orly
If you're arriving in France via Paris, the easiest way is to take the train from Gare Montparnasse. A ride on the RER or by taxi from CDG or Orly will take you there in 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the airport; then the train connects Montparnasse to Saumur in 2 to 2½ hours (with a transfer in Tours or Angers). It's an effective combination that doesn't restrict driving.
By long-distance bus
There are very few direct long-distance bus routes to Saumur. Regular routes operated by Flixbus or BlaBlaBus do not always serve the city. If you'd like to use this affordable mode of transportation, we recommend stopping in Angers or Tours and then taking a train to Saumur.
On a day trip from Paris
Are you in Paris and want to explore the Loire Valley without planning a full trip? Guided minibus tours allow you to visit several sites over two or three days, with transportation and stops included. We find this option particularly well-suited for travelers visiting France for the first time who want to see the region’s highlights without any logistical hassles.
Choose a 2-day tour: Mont-Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley departing from Paris—a combination that lets you explore two of the most iconic destinations in northwestern France. You can also choose this 3-day tour: Mont-Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley, departing from Paris—a more leisurely pace for visiting the Loire Valley’s most famous castles, with more time to spend at each location.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
And once you're in Saumur...
Saumur has some wonderful things to discover. The Château de Saumur overlooking the Loire River, the cave cellars, the vineyards of the Saumur region, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud—a 20-minute drive away—and the villages of Montsoreau and Candes-Saint-Martin make for a particularly rich itinerary. We recommend that you plan to spend at least two days exploring the city and its surroundings.
Check out our article “Things to Do in Saumur: Our Top Suggestions” and our article “Where to Stay in Saumur: Our Favorite Hotels and Neighborhoods” to plan your trip.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
