Tuffalun

Tuffalun is a small commune in the Maine-et-Loire department, in the Pays de la Loire region, formed in 2016 through the merger of several villages in the Saumur area. Its name refers to tuffeau, the white limestone quarried locally for centuries and used in the construction of the châteaux and manor houses of the Loire Valley. The commune lies within a typically rural Anjou landscape, characterised by vine-covered slopes belonging to the Anjou-Saumur wine appellation and by former troglodyte cellars carved into the tuffeau rock, some of which have since been converted into homes or wine storage spaces. The area is close to Doué-la-Fontaine and Saumur, larger towns offering shops, markets and notable heritage sites, including Saumur Castle and the National Riding School. The surrounding countryside is well suited to walking and cycling, with routes linking the wine-growing villages along the Loire. The mild, oceanic climate supports vine cultivation and orchards in the region. Tuffalun therefore makes a quiet base from which to explore the Saumur area, combining troglodyte heritage, vineyards and the gentle character of Anjou.