Le Puy Notre Dame
(Wine village of the Samurois)
The word, "puy" comes from the Celtic "peuch" which means small mountain. In the Loire of the 11th. Century the hill was known as Mary's Mountain. Today the daily life revolves almost totally around wine and mushroom production. The latter has suffered somewhat after the eastern european countries were admited into the EU and their lower labour costs enabled them to undercut french prices. Despite this the Saumur region is still the largest producer of Champignons de Paris.
Wine production has gone from strength to strength with around 70 winemakers in and around the village.
The village is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction in its own right and has several fêtes to entertain its visitors. Foremost amongst these is the famous Grand Prix Retro when over 100 pre-1939 classic cars and sidecars race through the narrow streets. On that day we also organise a grand BBQ for about 40 guests, friends and neighbours, here in the courtyard.
Male and female inhabitants of Le Puy are called Ponots and Ponettes respectively and one of the reason that we love living here is that, male or female, they are exceedingly friendly and receptive being only too happy to pass the time of day. To give an example; just before I settled down to rewrite this webpage today, 9th November, I was talking to Hazel and Johnny who are staying in our smaller gîte. They were walking through a vineyard in Cix, a little hamlet just outside the village when they were spotted by the owner who immediatly whisked them off to his property where he proudly explained all about his wines, introduced them to his daughter and generally showed the utmost hospitality. As they say around here, "c'est normale"
The fact that the village has a bar, restaurant, pharmacy,bakery and small supermarkets is an added bonus to many of our guests who have perhaps holidayed in gites which have been quite isolated and which have necessitated a long car journey to buy even a simple thing like a baguette. The restaurant, "Le Bouchon Ponot", has an excellent and growing reputation serving excellent, well cooked traditional french food from a menu which is full of seasonal fare. The Bakery is literally one minutes walk from our gites making your morning croissants, pain au chocolat etc. easy to obtain.
Le Puy is one of the Loire valley's oldest villages. The first settlement probably being in Roman times. The village and its surroung hamlets are full of ancient and quirky medieval artifacts. We are sure that, like us, you will enjoy wandering its highways and byways.
Le Puy Notre Dame - general information
Click here to see more Photographs of Le Puy Notre Dame
Our Gites and Chambres d'Hôtes, (B&B) are situated in the pretty wine making village of Le Puy Notre Dame situated in the heart of the Saumur vineyards in the ancient dukedom of Anjou. The village itself is unique in its old, historic buildings, its extensive caves and the sheer number of wine makers exercising their craft in the vineyards surrounding the village. Long renown for the quality of its red wine, the village has been awarded its own wine appellation, an immense achievement which has taken years of endeavour. The new appellation is called Saumur-Puy Notre Dame and the first labels appeared on the bottles in 2010.
. Le Puy Notre Dame is becoming a very desirable place to live and has many beautifully restored houses.
Throughout the village you will find wonderful stone built houses each with huge sets of gates protecting the courtyards. Nearly all these were, and many still are, working wineries and, during the vendage, the grape harvest, the village is abuzz with the sound of the vineyard tractors taking their loads of grapes to the wineries for fermentation. The vendage normally starts in late September. The village is the largest wine producing commune in the Saumur appellation with over 1,500 hectares of vines producing around 12 million bottles per year. Unlike many other wine regions the full range of wine is produced from dry whites to dessert wine from reds and rosés to sparkling. Two stunning wines, unique to the region are the Rosé, Cabinet de Saumur and the rare Coteaux de Saumur.
Much of the wine is stored in the 120kms. of caves that honeycomb Le Puy Notre Dame. Originally they were quarries producing the characteristic limestone of the region. This stone, known a Tufa, was used to build chateaux, churches and houses. At its peak the caves were also producing 25,000 tons of mushrooms.
Le Puy Notre Dame is one of five villages which host the "Senteirs d'Interpretation". These are signed walks of between 3 and 7klms. which are designed to show visitors aspects of the surrounding landscapes. The walk in Le Puy shows typical aspects of the Loire Valley Vineyard and starts at the side of the church. The Sentier d'interpretation is one of the innovations introduced by the "Parc Naturel Regional Tours-Anjou" This parc was conceived by the United Nations protect an area of great cultural and natural importance to the world.
Much of the wine is stored in the 120kms. of caves that honeycomb Le Puy Notre Dame. Originally they were quarries producing the characteristic limestone of the region. This stone, known a Tufa, was used to build chateaux, churches and houses. At its peak the caves were also producing 25,000 tons of mushrooms.
Just outside the village in the hamlet of Sanzier is "La Cave vivante du Champignon" This is a commerciam mushroom farm based deep in the caves. Jacky Roulleau, the owner, has also organised an amusing and informative tour. You will love "le Père Jules and his cat, Mistigris!!.....
