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Ambillou-Château

Situated near the southern border of the Gennes area on the Angers-Poitiers road (D761), is a wealth of wide open spaces, mixed farming, vineyards and tree nurseries, linking the Coteaux du Layon hills to the Aubance.

Many traces of the past can be found here, along the roads and the shelly-sand tracks, such as roadside crosses, priories, marks of religious missions and vineyard lodges.
The wash houses or wells remind us of rural traditions in every village. Explore the Saumurois church, one of the église accueillante (open and welcoming churches), with its stained-glass windows, Stations of the Cross and the 15th century apse.

Not to be missed :

• The traditional game boule de fort
• The Château of "La Grézille" (16th century) and the chapel
• Sauné, characteristic villages with numerous cave dwellings in tuffeau
• Hilay, a village, characteristic of the area with shelly sand cave dwellings

Chemellier

Nestling close to the forest, Chemellier opens out on a fertile, open plain where various crops grow, such as cereals, shallots and seeds.
This charming village offers the visitor a dolmen, wash house, and small lake. Explore the tuffeau houses in the hamlets and the old troglodytic houses.
One of them is the birthplace of the famous sculptor, Henri Bouriché, who sculpted the Stations of the Cross in the church.

Not to be missed :

• The discovery trail
• The lake fair
• The flea market in September
• Fishing at the lake
• The fire service lamb bake
• The traditional game boule de fort

Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault

These three villages have gradually become one town. They have adapted to local needs and activities since ancient times, becoming: ports or centres for fairs or pilgrimage etc. The crenellated tower of Trèves, overlooking the Loire, is a relic of the old fortress of Foulques Nerra, Count of Anjou.
Cunault's Priory is a jewel of Norman art. It is probably the largest French Norman church without a transept. The dimensions of the nave, the elegance of its columns and the magic of the light are stunning.

Not to be missed :

• The archeological sites : roman camp, gallic oppidum
• The ruins of Saint Maxenceul
  
• The churches : Saint Aubin, Notre Dame des Tuffeaux
• The Prieuré : hotel and restaurant, member of the "Grandes Etapes Françaises" - Troglodyte cellars and restaurant

Coutures

Coutures, at the foot of a cliff studded by cave dwellings, overlooks the prosperous agriculture plain that gave its name to this village. Coutures came from latin "culturae": cultures. Here people traditionally cultivate artichokes. The countryside is characteristically Saumurois with fields, vineyards and hundred-year-old woods.
The plain is dominated by the imposing château of Montsabert at the foot of which can be found the "Européen" campsite in a park full of ancient trees.
Several dolmens testify to the very ancient presence of inhabitants in this region. Throughout the area, the tuffeau outcrops are dotted with extraordinary cave dwellings.
A perfect example of these dwellings is the troglodyte Manor of the Caillère, and also the artist, Richard Rak's studio and exhibition room at the caves of la Garde.

Not to be missed :

• The traditional game boule de fort
  
• The trails - Dégustation in local wine cellars
  
• The artichoke fair (mid-September)

Gennes

Gennes is set on the banks of the Loire, at the foot of the steep vineyards slopes which lead up to the church of St Eusèbe. The town stretches from the banks of the Loire, down to Milly, a little village nestled in the small Avort stream valley. The commune also encompasses the wooded plateau.
The wealth of heritage in Gennes illustrates an intensive activity over the centuries, from prehistoric times through the Middle-Ages up to the 19th century and World War II, including :

• An impressive number of megaliths, in particular the dolmen of "La Madeleine"
• The 2nd century ACE Gallo-Roman amphitheatre with remains of superstructures unique in Western Gaul
  
• The church of St Vétérin (11th to 15th centuries)
  
• The church of St Eusèbe with a memorial to the "Cadets de Saumur" (WWII regiment)
  
• The watermill of Sarré, complete with its original 13th century wheel, gears and millstones, still in use today
  
• The park of Joreau, offering fishing, footpaths and a fitness trail

Grézillé

Grézillé is situated on the western edge of the Saumurois plain. The commune has a total area of 1.762 hectares, about 600 hectares of which are wooded or open land. It is flanked by the river Aubance and is part of the forest of Milly.
During the 18th century a large part of the population lived in troglodytic dwellings in the surrounding hamlets (la Fosse, Bourgneuf, la Bâchellerie, Sablon and la Blinière). This troglodytic way of life, can still be seen in the hamlets where two, out of the three local restaurants are in troglodytic settings.
The Château of Pimpéan, with its 15th century chapel, is the architectural and historical jewel of Grézillé.
There is also a leisure area and a fishing lake.

Not to be missed :

• The 19th century church of Saint Hilaire, built in the Norman style
• The Château of Pimpéan, 15th century
• The Mill of Gasté
• A 12 km trail

Le Thoureil

An old river port, stretching along the Loire with beautiful town houses, watch towers and the old inns (16th to 19th century). of the river boatmen.

A little further downstream, the imposing Abbaye de Saint-Maur, one of the oldest abbeys in Anjou, shelters a beautiful Carolingian cross decorated with interlacing patterns.

Water sports such as sailing, water skiing, canoeing and fishing are all possible along the Loire while marked trails lead past little-known sites such as ten standing stones and three dolmens, the charming little church in Bessé and the Manor House in Cumeray.

Louerre

The town centre boasts a 13th century church and a washhouse where the river Aubance springs from the ground and the old presbytery.
A hundred meters further on, the tower of Beauregard looks down upon the forest allowing the visitor to appreciate a panoramic view which covers several kilometres.
The name of this little village, Louerre, meaning on the edge of wood, comes from its location between plain and forest.
Troglodytic hamlets surround the small town and encircle the plain, famous for the battle which took place between the armies of Caesar and Dumnacus, chief of the Andes in 50 BCE.
In addition you could explore the interpretation path in the forest.

Not to be missed :

• The Forest school
• Interpretation path of P.N.R.(Natural Regional Park)
• Trails - Dumnacus's stele and the hamlet of Vau
• The tower of Beauregard

Noyant-La-Plaine

The 11th century cross of St Jacques de Compostelle is decorated with his pilgrim's staff and scallop shell and is evidence of the presence of a formerly frequently used path which crossed the actual village situated on the Angers-Poitiers road.
A number of Neolithic finds have been discovered in the area amongst rare fossils such as the skeletons of whale calves.
Several properties, dating from between the 14th and 19th century are stunning examples of rural Angevine architecture. The church, one of the oldest in the diocese, was built during the 12th century and has two very old bells.

Not to be missed :

• The church
• The cross of St Jacques de Compostelle

Saint-Georges-des Sept Voies

Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies is a unique community in that it does not have a village centre. It consists of a number of villages and hamlets, each one having its own characteristics.
The area is especially attractive for ramblers. As you walk, or ride along the signposted routes and the GR3, you can see dolmens, standing stones, wash houses, old tuffeau buildings and the old Norman priory from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries :

• The Hélice Terrestre of the Orbière is a modern art complex created by Jacques Warminski.
  
• A wind pump built in 1889 to draw water.
  
• The church of St Pierre en Vaux with its 11th century foundations, 12th century bell tower and interior from the 17th and 18th centuries.
  

Not to be missed:

• The tripe fair (last week in August)
• The traditional game boule de fort
  
• The trails of Vieilles Pierres and Vieux Villages