Saint-Martin-De-La-Place: Loire, Trails and History

Saint-Martin-de-la-Place lies between the Loire and the Authion, 10 km downstream from Saumur. River views, cycling and hiking options, and historic buildings offer different highlights for a stay. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Martin-De-La-Place, these themes can help you choose a destination that suits your interests.

Loire landscapes and river views

The banks of the Loire open up views across the valley and the southern slope; the panorama also includes the wooded edges of the plateau. At the Bords de Loire, you can visit the Loire freely and enjoy the views across the river. Check visiting conditions before your trip.

At the port, the wooden piles of a raised causeway can still be seen when the water is very low. They date from around 50 AD. Whether the piles are visible depends on the water level and the time of year, so seeing this historic feature depends on specific conditions.

Cycling, hiking and canoeing

Saint-Martin-de-la-Place lies at the intersection of the Loire à Vélo and Authion à vélo cycling routes. Check the route and signage before setting off. For hiking, the flat “De la Loire à l’Authion” trail runs for 13.7 km between the banks of the Loire and the Authion; you should also check its route details before setting out.

On the water, Canoës Terre d’Entente has a canoe base in Saint-Martin-de-la-Place, from which you can explore the Loire. Trips are available for solo paddlers, pairs, or families. They can last from two hours to several days. As operations and formats may vary by season, check availability before your trip.

For planning purposes, the two activities involve different measures: the hiking trail is listed as 13.7 km long, while canoe trips range in duration from two hours to several days. This lets you choose between a set hiking distance and a water-based activity with a variable duration, without treating them as equivalent outings.

Chapel and Château de Boumois

The Prieuré de la Madeleine is the oldest building in the commune. Its chapel was built in the early 12th century by Maurice Roinard, Lord of Boumois, as a private chapel for his château. Château de Boumois is classified as a historic monument. After its destruction during the Hundred Years’ War, it was rebuilt farther north by René de Thory between 1520 and 1530, protected by the levee.

The municipal description lists the period from 1 July to 31 August for individual visitors. If you would like to visit Château de Boumois, check the visiting conditions before your trip.

A Blairie and a later manor house

The history of a former barn is also part of the local landscape. The Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Florent de Saumur established a Blairie in Saint-Martin-de-la-Place, then known as Platéa: a barn used to collect dues and tithes. A neoclassical manor house was built on the site of the former dwelling associated with this Blairie in the late 18th or early 19th century. These two building histories reflect different uses of the same site and add another historical layer to the story of the chapel and château.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: La Ménitré, Gennes, Maulévrier, Meigné-Le-Vicomte, Parnay, Neuillé, Champtocé-Sur-Loire, Saint-Jean-Des-Mauvrets.

Go to the main travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.