Major city · France
FontevraultFontevraud-l'Abbaye
Half a day for the abbey and its Plantagenet tombs, then move on. One night if you want to cycle the Loire or visit nearby châteaux.
Fontevrault is a small town in the Loire Valley best known for the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, burial site of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. The abbey is the only reason to stop; the town itself has little else. Most travellers visit as a day trip from Saumur, Chinon or Tours, or as a stop on a Loire cycling route.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Airports
- TUF · NTE
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Fontevrault17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fontevrault, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTUF Tours Val de Loire (About 1 h 15 min by car; limited flights.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerBeer (demi)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Museum or sight ticketAbbey entry€12 (≈ US$14) (check)
- Budget bedHotel double in Saumur, a night, per room€60 (≈ US$70)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TUF Tours Val de Loire (About 1 h 15 min by car; limited flights.) · NTE Nantes Atlantique (About 1 h 30 min by car; more connections.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Care
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Care
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fontevrault: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable. For the abbey and nearby châteaux, a car or bicycle is needed. Bicycle hire available in Saumur.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Fontevrault village
A handful of B&Bs and a hotel near the abbey; quiet after 20:00.A handful of B&Bs and a hotel near the abbey; quiet after 8:00 PM.
Saumur
15 min drive; more restaurants and hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–150 (≈ US$95–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × €100 | €100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Abbey entry2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Bicycle hire (half day)2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €36 |
| Trip total≈ €200 per person per day, bed included | €400≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer (demi) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Abbey entry | €12 (≈ US$14) (check) |
| Bicycle hire (half day) | €20 (≈ US$25) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Abbey ticket office closes earlier than the site; check the official site for seasonal hours.
- No ATM in the village; bring cash for small purchases.
- Cycling routes are flat but can be windy; check wind forecast.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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FontevraultFontevraud-l'Abbaye
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
Most embassies are in Paris. The nearest consulates are in Nantes (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Saumur → Fontevrault: about €25–35 (≈ US$30–45)
- Train Saumur → Tours: about €10–15 (≈ US$12–18), 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-bee-EN sa koot)
- Où est l'abbaye ? — Where is the abbey? (oo ay la-bay)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON, seel voo play)
No ATM in Fontevrault; bring cash.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fontevrault. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the abbey and nearby châteaux with verified hours and ticket prices.
- Cycling route pages along the Loire from Saumur to Fontevrault.
- Eat pages for La Licorne and other village restaurants.
Sources
Ask about Fontevrault
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