The word Puy comes from the Celtic word 'peuch' which means 'small mountain'. In the Loire of the 11th century the hill of Le Puy Notre Dame was known as Mary's Mountain. It is a charming wine-growing village in the heart of the Saumur vineyards. Its daily life revolves, almost totally, around wine and mushroom production, in fact of its small population, no less than 75 families are vignerons. It has discovered (I suspect, with some surprise!) that it has become a popular tourist attraction and has developed, over the last few years several fêtes and interesting events to occupy the time of its visitors. It still remains, however, the same open, friendly place that one expects in this part of rural France. As you wander through its narrow streets you will see many beautiful stone-built homes, surrounded by high walls broken by arched gates and doorways. These have all been, and many still are, working wine chais, and during the vendange (the grape harvest, starting in September) the village buzzes with the small vineyard tractors taking their loads of ripe grapes to the wineries.
