About us and How a house in Saumur became home

We’re Mandy and Willo, both originally from Ireland, and La Maison Trumeau is our home in the heart of Saumur.

We bought the house in December 2018, although the story began much earlier. Years of holidays exploring France, usually with food, wine and a few vineyards involved, which had left us particularly fond of the Loire Valley. Eventually, we decided we wanted a place of our own here: somewhere we could spend more time, continue exploring the region and, importantly, have enough room to gather friends around the table.

Falling for Saumur

Saumur gave us much of what we were looking for: a beautiful historic town, the Loire River on the doorstep, wonderful food and wine, and vineyards stretching out in almost every direction.

But it was also somewhere we could imagine living.

Being in the centre of town mattered to us. We loved the idea of walking to the Saturday market, restaurants, cafés and wine bars and still having a peaceful place to come home to. That remains one of the things we value most about living here.

Saumur gradually became much more than our French escape. It became home.

Bringing the house back to life

Built around 1850, La Maison Trumeau had been empty for several years when we bought it. Behind the work that needed doing were beautiful high ceilings, marble fireplaces, original details and a rather fabulous Art Deco staircase.

What followed was a complete renovation.

We wanted to respect the character of the house without making it too precious — somewhere elegant, certainly, but also comfortable, relaxed and meant to be lived in.

Over the years we've filled it with French antiques, brocante finds, vintage crockery, artwork and things we've simply fallen for along the way. There is usually another project in progress somewhere.

A house made for gathering

When we bought La Maison Trumeau, we imagined a house full of people. That part hasn't changed.

What we hadn't anticipated was how much the house would shape what came next.

Over the years we've welcomed people here to learn upholstery, explore the wines and food of the Loire, cook together, create, celebrate and simply spend time in Saumur.

Today, La Maison Trumeau is our permanent home and the base for our retreats, workshops and experiences. Some guests come to learn a new skill. Others come for the food and wine, to explore the brocantes or simply to experience a little of everyday life in this part of France.

Whatever brings you here, we want you to feel less like you're passing through and more like you've had the experience of life here, beyond the usual tourist trail.

Welcome to La Maison Trumeau

Despite being only a short walk from the centre of Saumur, step through the doors and the pace seems to change. The house and garden have a calmness that still surprises us sometimes.

We wanted a home where people could gather, eat, learn, laugh, make things and feel comfortable enough to settle in.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Mandy & Willo