Chevalerie de Sace - Archaeological Site & Botanical Gardens

About

Just 20 minutes from Saumur, the Chevalerie de Sace is a medieval archaeological site where the ruins of an old fortified manor house can be admired. It belonged to Jehan Godin de Sace, a local lord whose power was closely linked to the noble families of Anjou and to the senechalsy of Saumur. Excavations held by the A.R.E.G.H.A.T. organization revealed some 15 000 painted and varnished tiles dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Since 1981 the artifacts discovered during the various archaeological campaigns are showcased in the Museum of History and Archaeology of Brain-sur-Allonnes. In 1990 the organization created a medieval botanical garden adjoining the archaeological site. As of today over 800 species of plants cultivated in the Middle Ages are conserved here.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes