Saint-Pierre Market Halls

On this side of the square stand the Saint-Pierre Market Halls, a modest yet deeply historic spot that perfectly reflects Saumur’s spirit of trade and friendliness. Today, the halls are a little quieter than they once were, but that’s about to change. The city has launched an ambitious project to transform them into the “Halles Gourmandes,” a vibrant, modern space devoted to local produce and regional cuisine. The new market will bring together producers, chefs, artisans, and visitors under one roof, with stalls full of fresh products, tasting counters, a central café, and even areas for cooking workshops and demonstrations. The goal is simple: to restore the halls to their traditional role as the heart of local life while celebrating the flavors that make Saumur unique. And what flavors they are! Here, food is more than a pleasure—it’s part of the local soul. It all starts with the “fouée,” a small round hollow bread baked in a wood-fired troglodyte oven—an oven built in a cave or rock house—filled with rillettes, white beans, salted butter, or goat cheese, a warm, convivial specialty that embodies the region’s charm. Then there are the mushrooms, grown in the tuffeau caves, inspiring the delicious “galipettes,” large stuffed mushrooms baked to perfection. “Pommes tapées,” apples dried and flattened by hand, carry on centuries-old traditions, just like the “crémé d’Anjou,” a light and airy dessert of cream and egg whites. In Saumur, sweetness is always paired with celebration: the historic Combier distillery, founded in the 19th century, still crafts fine liqueurs, including the world-famous Triple Sec. And of course, no visit would be complete without mentioning the wine. With seven appellations, the Saumur vineyards are among the Loire’s most distinguished. Saumur-Champigny, Saumur Blanc, Fines Bulles—each bottle tells the story of the tuffeau stone and the gentle Loire Valley climate. Blending the fruits of the land, the secrets of the caves, and the elegance of its wines, Saumur truly captures the art of living, Anjou-style.