July 2015.
We decided to stop here for our lunch break on our tour through France in July 2015. It was really nice sit on the banks of the Loire eating our bread and cheese.

From our lunch spot the view east towards the railway bridge.

The view west to the Pont Cessart. The bridge was built in the 18th century.

Just outside Saumur as we headed for Fontevraud we passed these dwellings which were cut into the rocks.
This area of the Loire Valley is filled with caves and those people who lived in these caves were called troglodytes. People lived in these caves up until the late 1930s in this area. These are not your typical caves. The troglodyte caves were created when tufa limestone was removed to create the beautiful white stoned buildings and cathedrals in this part of France. Today, people are restoring these former dwellings and turning them into restaurants, shops, and B&Bs.