Aire de Doué-en-Anjou
Équipements et services
Description
Tourisme
Doué-en-Anjou (Maine-et-Loire, France)
Doué-en-Anjou stretches across a landscape of tuffeau limestone and quarries that shaped its identity. A former stronghold and a new commune of the Saumurois, it remains marked by troglodyte dwellings and a rural heritage visible in its center. The town combines structured tourist activities with a local agricultural life. There is a harmony between mineral nature and the viticultural culture of Anjou.
Heritage and history
The buildings of Doué-en-Anjou bear witness to long occupation: old streets, tuffeau houses and traces of troglodyte adaptations. The cellars and troglodyte spaces have been used as dwellings, storage and agricultural exploitation over the centuries. The town center retains the atmosphere of a small town of character, with medieval elements visible in the stone.
Nature and landscapes
The old tuffeau quarries dominate the landscape, offering cliffs, caves and limestone plateaus. These spaces carved by extraction have created unique settings favorable to local flora and fauna. The vineyard-covered slopes and surrounding meadows complete the picture, with pleasant walks possible on rural paths.
Gastronomy and wines
The region lies within the Anjou wine area, present on nearby slopes. There is also a tradition of underground cultivation, notably mushroom growing in the cellars, which remains a local culinary and economic element. Markets showcase local products and Anjou specialties.
Activities and leisure
The Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine is the main attraction for families and wildlife enthusiasts, set in a redeveloped quarry site. The troglodytes are sometimes open to visits and serve as settings for exhibitions or summer events. Hiking, cycling and discovering the vineyards punctuate a peaceful stay.
Not to miss
- Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine — a zoo set in the quarries, an original route among the cliffs.
- Troglodyte quarries — caves and passages dug into the tuffeau, characteristic of the landscape.
- Historic town center — tuffeau streets and the atmosphere of an Anjou town.
- Coteaux d’Anjou — walks among the vines and discovery of local appellations.
- Local market — regional products and specialties.
