Saumur Uncorked

Bienvenu to the First Edition of Our Newsletter!

Welcome to a little slice of Saumur, delivered straight to your inbox. We are delighted to open our doors and welcome you to our perspective on life in this beautiful town and the surrounding region. Through this newsletter, we’ll transport you to the heart of the Loire Valley, sharing stories of French culture, wine, food, owning and renovating in France and the enchanting rhythms of life that make this town a difficult place to leave. Thank you for joining us on our journey—we’re thrilled to help inspire your next adventure in France or simply bring a touch of Saumur magic to your day.

What’s On

There is no question that Saumur, as a town and community, likes a party or 3. Especially over the summer months, there is something on for everyone. From Festivini wine tasting events on the rooftop of the Theatre Dome, food festivals, the infamous Anjou Vintage Velo event and Le Cadre Noir (a series of Equestrian and Dressage shows from April to September) there is certainly something for everyone. The Office of Tourism have recently released their first brochure of the year, link is below, and will give a first taster of what’s to come. There are major events which are advertised widely and more local events, like Le Grand Tablée food festival, which we will help announce here.

We’ll announce ticket sales and events as and when they go live, such as Festivini, which in true French fashion, often announce their dates under the tourism radar.

A few highlights coming up in the Saumur calendar:

• La Dive Bouteille, a brilliant wine festival in the caves in Saumur. Dates are 2nd and 3rd February. Click Here for more info

• Saumurban Trail - a ‘fun run’ type activity for all the family. You can choose a 10km or 18km run or a 10km walk which takes you through the town. And there’s a shorter specific route for children. Run through vineyards and landmarks around Saumur. Date for 2025 is 9th March. More information here

• Saumur Home and Gardens Show - 21st - 23rd March. If you are a home owner in the area this may be of interest. Meet local garden designers, get interior inspiration and find out the latest innovations on sustainable living. Click here for details

• National Book and Wine day - Need I say more. The perfect combo. 5th and 6th April: Click here for more info

• Saumur Marathon for those in the need for a challenge this year, the Saumur Marathon is a serious run. It’s on the 11th May. The route goes past our house, so if you are taking part, give us a wave. We’ll be there and the dogs will give you a paw-five from the window! More info and registrations here

Navigating Rules, Renovations, and Colour Palettes

Living in Saumur comes with its share of charm, history, and, as we’ve discovered, a touch of bureaucracy. One of the joys of being part of our lively neighbourhood WhatsApp group is keeping up with local news and debates. From market updates to restoration projects, it’s a window into the vibrant community life here. But every so often, a story emerges that highlights just how unique – and sometimes perplexing – it can be to own a home in a historic (aka with rules) French town.

Recently, a neighbour found themselves under the watchful eye of the Architectes des Bâtiments de France for something as simple as repainting their front door. The ensuing discussion in the group chat was spirited, as you might imagine. On one side, there’s widespread admiration for preserving Saumur’s stunning architectural heritage. On the other, a collective groan over the ‘who you know’ and red tape that even the smallest repairs can entail.

This reminded us of our own experience during the early days of renovating our property. Before picking up a paintbrush, we made our way to the Mairie to enquire about approved colour options. To our surprise, the “palette” was limited to just four colours: two shades of white, a grey, and a dark green. We’ll never forget the official who, in a moment of candid honesty, admitted he didn’t like one of the whites—leaving us with an unspoken shortlist of three! While it gave us a good laugh, it also drove home an important lesson: renovations in France require not only patience but also a strategic approach.

If you’re planning any updates to your property, here are our top tips:

1. Check the Rules Early – Check your local Mairie or Bâtiments de France for guidelines before making any changes especially if you live in a historic town or conservation area.

2. Tap Into Local Knowledge – Neighbours are an invaluable source of advice, especially if they’ve been through similar processes. Also, keeping them in the loop keeps them on board with your work. All it takes is for one to be disgruntled to cause problems in your project plans.

3. Embrace the Process – French bureaucracy is part of the charm (or so we tell ourselves). While there will be a lot of paperwork, our experience is that it usually goes to plan and timescales (even if it feels long at the start). Patience and preparation go a long way.

Owning a home in a historic French town like Saumur is an adventure, complete with its quirks and rewards. Yes, there’s a fair amount of paperwork, but it’s all part of preserving the timeless beauty that makes living here so special. And as the French say, if you’re embarking on a renovation project: bon courage!

A note about our Spring Food and Wine weekend

We are yet to push our advertising for this on Instagram and we wanted to share some highlights for you here.

 Dates: 24th-27th April 2025

We’re very excited for our upcoming Spring Food and Wine Weekend, crafted to coincide with the renowned Chinon wine exhibition, Les Vignerons dans la Ville (which is on Saturday 26th April).

This exceptional event gathers over 100 Chinon producers in a lively celebration of wine, offering a rare opportunity for us to explore and you can compare two iconic Loire wine regions during one weekend experience. Whether you join us as part of a small group, with friends or family, or on your own, you’ll enjoy a thoughtfully curated weekend filled with tastings, culinary delights, and the magic of French hospitality.

What’s included in this weekend:

• Blind Wine tasting event including a 4-course meal

• 4 -5 winery visits tailored upon the group’s desires and what they want to try

• 2 evening meals in some of Saumur’s best restaurants

• A day in Chinon at the Wine festival and plenty of time to explore the cobbled streets of Chinon and the Fortresse de Chinon.

Our aim (and the reason we set up these limited packages) with our food and wine weekends are:  

• to showcase Saumur as an interesting wine region by visiting a variety of the best and most innovative wine makers in the industry,

• take the management stress out of organising your own tastings, so you have reassurance of visiting good winemakers when you have limited time there

• help people feel at ease in tasting rooms, and not feel intimidated by convoluted jargon, which often dominate the scene.

• we want people to have fun and a memorable time, whether its wine tasting, experiencing the food scene in Saumur and taking in all the charm and beauty of the town and region itself.

  You’ll find lots more information on our website — we’d love for you to join us!

If you or someone you know is planning a trip to France in April, this weekend could be a great addition to the itinerary. Don’t hesitate to share this opportunity or reach out to us for more details.

Here are a few quotes from our September Wine retreat guests

What’s Next?
We hope you’ve enjoyed the first edition of our newsletter. There’s so much more to share about French life, culture, and the magic of the Loire Valley. If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics you would like to know more about, let us know and we can ensure we include them in our future editions! Ask us anything from where to stay, where to eat, things to do, navigating renovations from afar, just let us know here.

And don’t forget to share this newsletter with with anyone who might enjoy a touch of French inspiration.

Santé

Mandy and Willo