THE PUY DU FOU & THE BLACK FRAME OF SAUMUR

Le Puy-du-Fou in Epesses (85) located in the centre of a forest, between Cholet and La Roche-sur-Yon received the title of best park in the world in 2012. And for good reason, this place does not resemble any other leisure parks. Time travel and the stories of France, and more particularly that of the Vendée await you!

This site gives way to a Renaissance castle built in the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1794, General Louis-Marie Turreau affirmed his desire to plunder and destroy villages and hamlets. On January 26 of the same year, the infernal columns or incendiary columns arrived in Epesses. The castle would not escape the devastating flames. The walls and the left wing were spared.

After having been the property of different families, Maître Louis Savard Notaire acquired the burg and the land in 1947 and restored the premises. The building was classified as a historical monument in 1962. His heir son sold it to the General Council of Vendée in 1977. Philippe de Villiers, then sub-prefect of Vendée, discovered the castle, fell under its spell and wrote his show “La Cinéscénie” which was very successful.

Each year more than 2 million people flock to browse the Park, attend various performances such as the Cinesceny, the Wedding of Fire or the Imaginary World of La Fontaine.

Immerse in the heart of an incredible story staged at the typical Café de la Madelon and do not miss the magnificent shows accompanied by special effects, waterfalls, giant machinery and adventures; a real treat for young and old alike.

Then head to Saumur, the Mecca of French horse riding, for a special guided tour. The Black Frame promises civic and cultural enrichment.

This prestigious equestrian school, which was open to the public in 1968 and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011, educates senior managers of the National Riding School.

After the Revolution, Louis XVIII created in 1815 the school of mounted troops dedicated to the formation of an elite corps for the training of horses. Did you know that the name Black Frame refers to the color of the squires’ outfits?

You will discover the history and the universe of this famous institute, the stables, the large arena, the saddlery, etc. The school’s mission is to transmit this exceptional heritage and to maintain the French tradition of horse riding built over the centuries.

Apart from the reputation of the Black Frame, the city of Saumur invites you to discover its pretty pedestrian streets, magnificent residences and troglodyte dwellings.

On foot or by small electric train, this place will amaze you. Among the many monuments, the castle of Saumur, classified as a Historic Monument, remains the unmissable and emblematic building of the city.

This fortress resembling a fairy-tale castle, erected in the tenth heaven by Thibaud le Tricheur, Count of Blois, offers an absolutely remarkable view.

Alternately the residence of the governors of Saumur, prison, arms and ammunition depot, the city acquired the building in 1906 and today houses the municipal museum, labeled Musée de France.

A stone’s throw away, the city of Angers, capital of Anjou, is full of treasures and historic places. On request, you can visit, accompanied by a guide, the 13th-century royal fortress and the Terra Botanica theme park, revealing the secrets of six centuries of plant history.

Inside the fortress, you can admire the Apocalypse tapestry, commissioned by Louis 1st of Anjou in 1375. This unique work, woven in wool and composed of 6 pieces, describes an illustration between the property and the mall of the last book of the bible.

With its 100 m by 4.50 meters height, it remains the largest perfectly preserved medieval tapestry.

Book this stay combining discovery of our regional heritage and industrial know-how that we have concocted for you. A beautiful, unforgettable cruise that you can share with family, group or friends, during a professional outing or seminar.

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