Planning to visit Saumur in winter? An excellent decision! By avoiding the high season, you can escape the crowds of tourists at Château de Saumur, and enjoy this ancient troglodyte city in a more peaceful setting.
Find all our tips and photos for discovering this city in the low season (activities, weather, temperatures), and our recommendations for spending Christmas or New Year's Eve here.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Visiting Saumur in winter: is it worth it?
Our review
We recommend visiting Saumur in winter, especially if you don't like crowds. You'll be able to enjoy the monuments and museums at your leisure, most of which remain open during the winter months. Examples include the Musée des Blindés and the Château de Saumur. These are 2 places we particularly enjoyed. But be sure to check the opening times before you visit, as they usually close in January.
What's more, you'll be able to take advantage of Saumur's must-do activities despite the colder climate:
- an exploration of theRoyal Abbey of Fontevraud. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands out for its architectural beauty and unique past - book your ticket here!
- a stroll along the Loire to observe the reflection of the château in the water,
- a visit to the Pierre et Lumière Troglodytic Park (article available soon),
- immersion in the equestrian world at the Cadre Noir,
- a visit to the Saumur cellars and the Combier distillery,
- a stroll through the historic center and its majestic buildings.
When planning your stay, bear in mind that Saumur is very quiet in January, and some establishments may be closed.
Benefits
- The river reflects the castle even in winter on a clear day.
- It's easier to park and get around the city.
- Most tourist attractions remain open (except in January).
- The crowds are smaller.
- New events are taking place this season, notably at the Cadre Noir.
- Hotels are less expensive outside Christmas, New Year's Day and Valentine's Day.
Disadvantages
- It may rain.
- The weather's colder, but the town's atmosphere remains friendly.
- The days are shorter.
- There's less greenery and plants.
WHERE TO STAY IN Saumur
Downtown
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Hotel Saint Pierre - a historic stay! - see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Château La Marquise - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Anne d'Anjou - prices, pictures and availability
In the countryside around
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Angers? Here's our suggestion:
- Hotel Demeure de la Vignole - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Joly Foudres - unusual in barrels - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel de l'abbaye de Fontevraud - prices, pictures and availability
Weather, temperatures and conditions
In winter, the average temperature in Saumur is around 9°C. Bring warm clothes and a good coat to explore the city! It can rain intermittently, but you can also have beautiful sunny days. In very cold weather, snow can also be a problem.
Winter means shorter days. Enjoy the sunset over the river before dinner!
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.
Things to do in Saumur in winter
In winter, Saumur is also full of activities. In particular, you can:
- Visit the Château de Saumur, its 2 museums (Musée du Cheval and Musée des Arts Décoratifs), and its 360° panoramic view of the town from the belvedere.
- Explore the Pierre et Lumière Troglodyte Park (article available soon).
- Stroll through the historic town center, and admire the architecture of medieval houses and ancient troglodytic buildings. See our article on the city's troglodyte sites here.
- Dive into military history at the Musée des Blindés.
- Discover Saumur's troglodyte cellars and vineyards - tempted by a guided tour on the theme of oenology, with wine tasting?
Near Saumur:
- Visit the not-to-be-missed Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, one of Europe's largest medieval monastic towns - book your ticket here!
- Fall under the spell of the surrounding villages, including Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau, which are among the most beautiful in the Loire Valley.
- Discover one of the superb châteaux in the area, especially the Château de Montsoreau and its Museum of Contemporary Art - book your ticket here!
What you can't do in Saumur in winter:
- Visit places that are closed in January.
- Cycling the Loire if you're not well covered and equipped.
- Take a traditional boat trip on the Loire.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
How to get to Saumur
Saumur lies at the center of the Loire Valley, equidistant from Angers and Tours.
- By train: Saumur's SNCF train station serves nearby towns such as Angers (20min) and Tours (30min), as well as Nantes, Lyon and even Paris.
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
- By car: from the capital, take the A11 freeway for 3 hours 20 minutes. To visit nearby towns and the Loire castles, we strongly recommend you use a car. This will make getting around much easier.
- By bike: Saumur is part of the Loire à vélo circuit, so you can opt for multi-day cycling tours that stop off in this pretty town!
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Christmas in Saumur
During the festive season, Saumur has a special charm with its festive decorations and illuminated monuments. We recommend you discover them during your evening strolls. At the Christmas market, located on the Place de la Bilange in the center of town, you'll discover the wooden chalets of small craftsmen. Enjoy mulled wine and chestnuts in a friendly atmosphere.
Every year, the town offers a wide range of activities: workshops for children, shows, horse-drawn carriage rides, musical events (choir, karaoke), a brass band... But also personalized tours to experience the magic of Christmas with family and friends. More info on the official website here.
If not, this will also be an opportunity to sleep in one of Saumur's finest establishments. Hôtel Le Saint-Pierre is particularly renowned for its enchanting decorations - book your exceptional night now!
New Year's Eve in Saumur
Take advantage of the decorations and illuminations throughout the city to mark the transition to the New Year in a warm atmosphere. The city organizes tours around New Year's Eve.
Apart from these highlights, you can take part in events organized by the town's hoteliers and restaurateurs. Some fine restaurants concoct special menus for the New Year. Check out our upcoming article on Saumur's best restaurants.
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
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
