Places of Interest - France

Saumur is a medium-sized city in the Loire Valley and has a number of interesting sights. Besides a large number of museums (of which "Musée des Blindes" stands out the most) it has two medieval churches and a number of very beautiful half-timbered houses. The city has, like many French cities in this area, a beautiful castle on a hill overlooking the "Loire". Finally, the city is known for its cave dwellings; large blocks of stone were cut out of the rocks in the area so that large holes were created. The poor population (mostly farmers) used the dens as a dwelling and built a façade with a door and windows. During the French religious wars, the "Huguenots" hide in these cave dwellings while nowadays, because of their ideal temperature, they are used as a wine cellar or mushroom farm. Some are still permanently inhabited even though most are reserved as holiday homes

Saumur - Saint Nazaire: there are not many direct trains from Saumur to Saint Nazaire - perhaps 3 times per day. We have bought a regional ticket here for 45 euros (maximum for 5 people) which is valid for two days in the whole region "Low Loire".

• Name: Musee "des Blindes"

Address: 1043 Route de Fontevraud

Price: 7.50 euros (5 euros if you want to film or photograph)

Time: 09:30

Website: www.museeblindes.fr

Content:

Gigantic halls (sheds) full of tanks and armored cars. Everything is divided into sections; there is a WWI and WWII hall where the militairy stuff of the Allies, Russians and Germans is separated from each other but still together. There is also a shed where the "big" important people of WWII are placed in different vehicles. Finally, there are some rooms where the weapons from the Cold War are exhibited. At the end of the hall models were place (1:72) and larger models of each part of WWII. The souvenir shop is full of everything that has to do with the war; books, soldiers, models, clothing, helmets and magazines. Well worth it.

TIP: there are signs everywhere that you are obliged to pay extra if you want to take pictures (or movies) but we never paid and took countless pictures.

• Wild camping spot: "the river Le Thouet"

Content:

Far from ideal; we found a wild camping spot near the river in the south of the city. It is south of a large boulevard where in principle the city begins. It is advisable to walk down the asphalt path completely and they are planting new trees nearby. You can find a spot on a hill. You will not be the first to go camping here – a lot of stuff is lying around here (watch out for the glass) but you can stay here for free for a night and visit the museum the next day which is not far from here.