Around Le Puy-Notre-Dame are approximately 1,500 hectares of vineyards. Historic lanes, the Notre-Dame Collegiate Church and the underground galleries of the Cave Vivante du Champignon offer further ways to explore the town. This provides several specific points of focus for planning a trip: routes, winegrowing and heritage.
Explore circular routes and winegrowing
Four marked circular routes pass through vineyards, surrounding hamlets and characteristic village lanes. They range from 4 to 40 km in length, making distance a practical starting point for choosing a route. At the same time, the routes pass through varied settings: vineyard landscapes, hamlets and lanes are all part of the route described.
The Circuit d’Interprétation Viticole is a 3.7 km walking trail, making it shorter than the shortest of the four circular routes. Eight interactive information panels in French and English explore winegrowing activities throughout the year. The panels focus on seasonal tasks and give the trail its own thematic emphasis.
The RĂ©galade educational trail complements this approach with regional grape varieties, vine pruning and grape blossoms. True-or-false questions are included at two stops. Comparing the themes can help you choose a route: the Circuit focuses on winegrowing activities throughout the year, while RĂ©galade features grape varieties, pruning and blossoms, supplemented by quiz questions.
The collegiate church, town walls and underground history
Le Puy-Notre-Dame was one of Anjou’s 32 walled towns. Historic gateways and town walls have been preserved in its old lanes. The Notre-Dame Collegiate Church dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and has welcomed visitors for more than 700 years. The church houses the relic of the Sainte Ceinture, which has been the focus of an annual pilgrimage for centuries.
The Cave Vivante du Champignon is located in a former tuff quarry dating from the 16th century. Tours are offered through 16th-century troglodytic dwellings where cultivated and wild mushrooms are grown. A slideshow and staged displays explain the cave’s history, tuff geology, marine fossils, troglodytic dwellings and local history. The underground galleries were later reused by generations of mushroom growers and winegrowers. At the end of the visit, a tasting of wines from the family estate Le Clos Saint-Maur is offered. Check the availability of tours and tastings in advance.
Cycling routes and walking stages
Le Puy-Notre-Dame is less than 5 km from the Vélofrancette route. If you are planning a cycling trip, check the route conditions before setting off. The Voie des Plantagenêts offers another option for planning a longer route: one stage runs from Doué-la-Fontaine to Le Puy-Notre-Dame, and the next from here to Thouars. For a longer hike, it is advisable to check the stage details in advance.
Discover more destinations: Les Rairies, Blou, Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges, Cheviré-Le-Rouge, Saint-Melaine-Sur-Aubance, Saint-Sylvain-Dʼanjou, Cizay-La-Madeleine, Le Longeron
For the broader travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.
