Savennières: Wine, Heritage and Loire Landscapes

If you are considering Savennières as a destination, you will find a range of attractions: wine visits, historical sites, Loire landscapes and cycling. When planning, the subject is not the only factor to consider; the type of visit also matters: some activities are available year-round, while others require a reservation; for salon visits and events, opening hours or dates are important.

Wine and Visits

Château des Vaults offers year-round visits to the park and vineyard, as well as tastings and sales in the wine cellar. At Domaine Taillandier, the visit begins in the cellar with an introduction to the vineyard and ends with a guided tasting; a reservation is required.

The estate also has a long history: Fief du Vau was founded in 1495 and became Château des Vaults in the 17th century. It is home to one of Savennières’ oldest and most important wine estates.

Churches, Local History and Art

The Church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Romain has been listed as a Monument historique since 1840. The former rectory is documented in written records dating back to 1447. Its preserved salon contains eight painted textile panels with a total length of 19.40 metres.

The salon with its painted canvas works can be visited during Galerie Troismurs+’s opening hours or by appointment with the municipal administration, with or without a guided tour. As opening hours may change, please check visit options in advance.

In Épiré, the Church of Saint-Aubin was the seat of an important parish for centuries, documented since the 11th century. Another historical landmark is the Battle of Roche aux Moines: it took place in Savennières in 1214 between the Capetian and Plantagenet dynasties.

The Oratoire Saint-Romain can be viewed from the public road at Carrefour Leglou, towards Route de La Possonnière. This offers another tangible connection to the local cultural landscape, without requiring a visit inside.

Landscape, Nature and Cycling

The Savennières plateau, with its varied landscapes, connects the valley slopes with the extensive bocage countryside west of Angers. Those interested in landscapes will find a distinctive transition here between the valley slopes and a vast bocage region.

A striking feature of the landscape is La Pierre Bécherelle: the 15-metre-high rock is in Épiré, opposite the northern tip of Béhuard Island. Parc du Fresne and its plane tree provide a favoured habitat for numerous birds and mammals, including rare bat species.

Recreational fishing is still practised on the Loire from the riverbank or by boat; regulations may apply. For cyclists, the signposted Loire à Vélo cycle route passes through Savennières. The “Sur les coteaux de Savennières” trail is also suitable for cycling and starts at Place du Mail.

Market and Local Events

The La Concorde club holds five Boule de fort competitions each year, as well as one pétanque competition and one belote competition. If a competition is important to your trip, check the current event dates, as the annual programme may change.

During the Sunday market, Galerie Confluence is open all day and displays works by the artists present at the time. The artists featured may vary by date, so if you are interested, check the details for the specific market day.

Discover more destinations: Montsoreau, Antoigné, Andrezé, Bouchemaine, Vernoil-le-Fourrier, Neuillé, Chazé-Henry, Martigné-Briand.

For the broader travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.