The Plantagenet royal tombs are here, in France
The abbey church holds the carved effigies of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Richard the Lionheart.
Fontevraud-l'Abbaye: a royal necropolis that became a prison
The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud was founded in 1101 and served as the burial site of the Plantagenet dynasty. Four painted stone effigies survive in the abbey church — Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart, and Isabella of Angoulême — along with a Romanesque kitchen building, cloisters, a chapter house, and a museum of modern art. The abbey ran as a working prison from 1804 to 1963, which is part of why the buildings are so intact. La Loire à Vélo designates a specific spur route to Fontevraud, and Saumur is around 19.5 km away along it.
Things you can do here
What people said
★★★★★
Tim was an excellent host. Communication was superb. Despite the time difference, we received a very prompt response from him when we were planning our trip. Once we arrived in Saumur, Tim met us at our scheduled time…
Visited in June 2025
E-bike rental with SaumurBikeHire Activities nearby
Canoe rentalArtannes-sur-Thouetabout 11 km, to the activity
Reaching the abbey from Saumur by e-bike
The Loire à Vélo spur from Saumur to Fontevraud is around 19.5 km, with a climb inland from the river once you leave Montsoreau. On a regular bike that ascent may put people off; on an ease-see e-bike it doesn't. You arrive at the abbey under your own steam without the climb becoming the story.
The 80 km abbey-and-châteaux loop
A signed 80 km loop connects Fontevraud, Montsoreau, Saumur, Brézé, and Montreuil-Bellay. E-bikes make the whole loop realistic in a day without collapsing the itinerary.
Marion
★★★★★
Thanks again for the great service Tim! You made our dream happen!🚲🚲🚲🏰🥖🧀🍷
Visited in September 2026
