Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Saumur
POP 29,587
There's an air of Parisian sophistication around Saumur, but also a sense of laid-
back contentment. The town is renowned for its École Nationale d'Équitation, a na-
tional cavalry school that's been home to the crack riders of the Cadre Noir since
1828.
Sights
ÉCOLE NATIONALE D'ÉQUITATION
(National Equestrian School; 02 41 53 50 60;
www.cadrenoir.fr
;
rte de Marson;
adult/child €7/5)
Three kilometres west of town, outside of sleepy St-Hilaire-St-
Florent, the École Nationale d'Équitation is one of France's foremost riding
academies.
Advance reservations are essential for the one-hour guided visits (four to 10 per
day; enquire about the availability of English-language tours). If you happen to be in
town for one of the semi-monthly
Cadre Noir presentations
(adult/child €16/9)
do
not miss it: they are like astonishing horse ballets.
Riding School
Sleeping
CHÂTEAU DE VERRIÈRES €€€
( 02 41 38 05 15;
www.chateau-verrieres.com
; 53 rue d'Alsace; r €150-210, ste
€260-290; )
Every one of the 10 rooms in this impeccably wonderful 1890
château, ensconced within the woods and ponds of a 1.6-hectare English park, is
different.
Castle Hotel
HÔTEL SAINT-PIERRE €€
( 02 41 50 33 00;
www.saintpierresaumur.com
;
8 rue Haute St-Pierre; r €70-155;
)
Squeezed down a minuscule alleyway opposite the cathedral, this effortlessly
smart hideaway mixes heritage architecture with modern-day comfort: pale stone,
thick rugs and vintage lamps sit happily alongside minibars and satellite TV.
Historic Hotel
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