Open House at Domaine Bodineau
Domaine Bodineau invites you to its 'Wine & Co' open house, a friendly event dedicated to discovery and fine tastes.
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Doué-la-Fontaine
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ℹ️Practical info — Doué-la-Fontaine
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Book your Bioparc tickets online and arrive right at opening time to beat the crowds.
- Bring a light sweater even in summer, as the underground troglodyte caves stay quite cool.
- If visiting in July, don't miss the spectacular Journées de la Rose in the local arenas.
- Make reservations well in advance if you want to eat in a traditional cave restaurant.
🍽 Food
🍽
Les Fouées
Small, hot bread pockets baked in a wood-fired oven. Eat them in a troglodyte restaurant.
🍽
Galipettes
Giant stuffed mushrooms baked in a bread oven, a local cave-dining specialty.
🍽
Saumur Wines
Enjoy the local Cabernet Franc at one of the regional wine cellars.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Rose Products
Look for rose water, soaps, and perfumes in the specialized boutiques near the center.
🛍
Regional Wines
Purchase excellent Saumur wines directly from the nearby vineyards.
🧘
Les Arènes
Explore this historic amphitheater which is very tranquil outside of event days.
🧘
Roseraie Foullon
A peaceful rose garden where you can wander among hundreds of fragrant varieties.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
4
Night Market in Doué-la-Fontaine
The town of Doué-en-Anjou invites you to enjoy beautiful summer evenings strolling through the night market.
Secrets of the Cave Dwellings
During a twilight stroll, discover the secrets of the unusual troglodyte dwellings of the Saumurois region.
The Ghost Animal
A poacher is on the prowl... Find the tracks of the threatened animal in this exciting investigative game!
Located in the Maine-et-Loire department, Doué-la-Fontaine is defined by its tufa limestone geology and its status as a center of French rose cultivation. The town sits atop a network of former quarries, which have been repurposed over the years. The primary example is the Bioparc, a zoo built entirely within deep limestone craters, offering animals spacious enclosures sheltered by high rock walls. The surrounding landscape is honeycombed with troglodyte dwellings, underground caves that locals have historically used as homes, wine cellars, and mushroom farms. Many of these subterranean spaces now function as quirky restaurants serving traditional wood-fired fouées flatbreads. As a horticultural hub, the town produces millions of rosebushes annually, a heritage celebrated every July when the ancient stone amphitheater of Les Arènes is decorated with thousands of blooms. History enthusiasts can also examine the stark ruins of a 9th-century Carolingian hall, recognized as one of the oldest standing civil stone structures in France.
- Location: Pays de la Loire, France
- Top sights: Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine · Les Mystères des Faluns · Troglodytes de la Sablière
- Nearby: Saumur (17 km)
- Population: ~11.368
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 81 | 62 | 68 | 54 | 67 | 53 | 51 | 52 | 45 | 83 | 86 | 89 |
Geography
Facts
- Rose production: approx. 7 million bushes/year
- Age of the Carolingian keep: approx. 1,100 years
- Total area: 35.90 sq km
- Troglodyte sites: over 1,000 recorded
- Current population: 11,368
- Elevation range: 48 m to 103 m
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Doué-la-Fontaine (7)
Frequently asked questions
What is Doué-la-Fontaine most famous for?
The town is famous as the French capital of roses and for its fascinating cave dwellings (troglodytes).
What is the Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine?
A globally unique zoo built inside a former quarry, presenting animals in a spectacular rocky setting.
Can you visit the underground sites?
Yes, 'Mystère des Faluns' gives an audiovisual tour through giant underground catacombs in an ancient limestone quarry.
When is the Rose Festival held?
The 'Journées de la Rose' (Rose Days) are held every July when millions of roses bloom in the town's gardens.
What is the oldest site in the town?
The Carolingian fortress (Donjon de Doué) is considered one of the oldest stone castles in France, dating to the 10th century.
Doué-la-Fontaine: where is it located?
Doué-la-Fontaine is located in Pays de la Loire, France.
Doué-la-Fontaine: what is there to see?
Highlights include Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine, Les Mystères des Faluns, Troglodytes de la Sablière.
Doué-la-Fontaine: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Doué-la-Fontaine: why is it worth visiting?
Located in the Maine-et-Loire department, Doué-la-Fontaine is defined by its tufa limestone geology and its status as a center of French rose cultivation.
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