The abbey of St Maur dominates the landscape as you cycle along the riverside on the opposite bank between Saumur and Angers. This abbey dates back to the 6th century and is one of the first places to be sited as producing wine in the Loire valley. The building you see here in the picture dates back to the 17th century (like most buildings of its type it has seen demolition, damage, rebuilding and additions over the centuries). The vineyards that used to belong to the estate are perched high on the hillside above the abbey but today are not the responbility of the abbey.
