Montsoreau

Considered the Saint-Tropez of the Loire Valley, due to its proximity with the river, this place is built all along the Loire and features the Château of Montsoreau, the only Loire Valley castle built in the riverbed, and one of the earliest Renaissance buildings in France. Artists and writers, from Rabelais and Turner to Alexandre Dumas and Rodin, contributed to the village's fame.

By plane

Montsoreau is surrounded by five airports, Nantes, Angers, Tours, Poitiers, Rennes and Paris Charles de Gaulle less than two hours. The closest international airports are Tours-Val de Loire Airport (70 km) and Nantes-Atlantique Airport (159 km). The national connections can be made by the airports of Angers-Loire (59 km), Poitiers-Biard (80 km). Loire shuttles connect Saumur to Montsoreau. These airports allow it to easily connect international destinations. The connections between the airports and the village can be made by TGV, TER trains, or car.

• Angers - Marcé airport

• Rennes airport

By train

Saumur and Port-Boulet are the two train stations next to Montsoreau.

• From Saumur :

• TGV - TER

• Saumur train station

  address: Avenue David d'Angers

From Port-Boulet :

• Port-Boulet train station

  address: Place de la gare

• Tours train station

  address: 1 place du Général-Leclerc

• Saint-Pierre-des-Corps train station

  address: 67 rue Fabienne Landy, 37700 Saint-Pierre-des-Corps

A system of regular shuttles by train connects the train stations of Tours and Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (price of a bus ticket).

By bus

The Saumur-Val de Loire agglomeration Bus network connects Montsoreau to Fontevraud, Turquant, Parnay, Souzay-Champigny, and Saumur.

By car

Montsoreau is best accessed by the D952 road, along the banks of the Loire. From Paris, Bordeaux or Nantes, take Highway A10.

By boat

• Croisières Saumur Loire

  address: 5 rue Bonnemère 49400 Saumur

By bicycle

Montsoreau is a privileged route of Loire à Vélo, accessible from most major cities and SNCF railway stations by bike.

Montsoreau is a fairly small town, so it could be easily explored on foot.

• Château de Montsoreau-Musée d'art contemporain

  phone: +33 2 41 67 12 60
  address: Château de Montsoreau
  Housed in the first castle of the Loire to have been built, this museum contains the world's largest collection of Art & Language works, assembled by Philippe Méaille during the last 25 years. Art & Language is a British art movement that has invented and deeply influenced conceptual art and music. The museum includes most famous works of Art & Language, including their renowned Mirror piece, and hosts at least two temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists a year, and many conferences. Photography is permitted. Backpacks are not permitted, but there are free lockers after entrance.

• Moulin de la tranchéeHistorical monument

• Dolmen de la PierreléeHistorical monument

• Église Saint-Pierre

Sport

• Boule de fort

• Saumur Bowling

• Tennis courts

• Spa La marine de Loire

Beaches

• Confluence BeachSwimming is allowed. Place very busy in summer, it is advisable to arrive early.

• Water skiingAuthorized practice on the Loire

• Canoeing

  phone: +33 2 41 51 17 65
  Departure from Montsoreau

• Canoeing

  phone: +33 6 23 82 96 33
  Departure from Chinon

• Fishing

  phone: +33 2 41 51 70 22
  Day cards or holiday cards available.

• Jean 2

  phone: +33 2 41 67 12 60
  address: Château de Montsoreau
  Serves slates of delicatessen and local cheeses. Specialty: natural wines and home-made hamburger with french fries.

• Restaurant du Saut aux Loups

• Le pt'it bar

  address: 3 Place du mail

• Le lion d'or

  address: 1 Place du mail

• Créperie la fleur de sel

  address: 4, quai Philippe de Commines

• Créperie la dentellière

  address: 15, quai Philippe de Commines

• Le mail

  address: 13, place du mail

• Bateau l'Amarante

  address: Quai Philippe de Commines

• Le Montsorelli

  address: 5, rue Jehanne d'Arc

• Péniche l'Aigue Marine

  address: Quai Alexandre Dumas

• Restaurant Diane de Méridor

  address: 12, quai Philippe de Commines

• Indian restaurant Le 2

  address: 2, place du mail

Budget

• Camping Isle verte

Mid-range

• Hôtel Le Bussy

Splurge

• Hôtel & Spa La Marine de Loire