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It was the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty and became one of the intellectual centers of Europe during the reign of René of Anjou. Angers developed at the confluence of three rivers, the Mayenne, the Sarthe, and the Loir, all coming from the north and flowing south to the Loire.
Feb 7, 2020 · Situated close to the confluence of the rivers Loire and Maine – where France’s longest river joins one of its shortest – Angers gave its name to the Anjou region, birthplace of England’s Plantagenet dynasty.
- Gillian Thornton
- Angers Castle
- Apocalypse Tapestry
- Musée Jean-Lurçat
- Musée Des Beaux-Arts
- Angers Cathedral
- Maison d’Adam
- Jardin Des Plantes
- La Doutre
- Terra Botanica
- Logis Pincé
The ultimate symbol of the might of the medieval Counts of Anjou, Angers Castle as we see it was built in 1231. The outer wall rules over the southern part of the city centre, with a curtain that goes on for 660 metres and is strengthened with 17 bulk towers, each 18 metres in height. It’s a truly impressive show of force that belies the daintiness...
In the 1370s, Louis I, the Duke of Anjou commissioned artist Jean Bondol to make the preliminary sketches for what would become the immense tapestry that is presented inside the castle. The Apocalypse Tapestry was finished in 1382 and would have required as much as 85 accumulative years of labour from its weavers at their workshop in Paris. When it...
The 12th-century Hôpital Saint-Jean is a phenomenal piece of Angevin gothic design, and its impressive how much of it is still here. La Grande Salle des Malades (Hall of the Sick), measures 60 by 22.5 metres and has beautiful vaulting, while the granary, 17th-century apothecary and cloister have been almost completely preserved. In the Grand Salle ...
Those in the know rate Angers’ fine arts museum, situated in the renaissance Logis Barrault, as one of the top regional museums in France. And as is usually the way with such attractions there are galleries of European painting paired with exhibitions of archaeology relevant to Angers and its region. The “Parcours Histoire d’Angers” is a trail that...
Constructed in the 13th century but frequently altered down the years, the cathedral is a bit of a mish-mash of styles, but it can be satisfying to work out which part of the church was built when. For instance, the 77-metre-high towers are from the 16th century and in the renaissance style, while the carvings of Christ and the symbols of the Eveng...
Just behind the cathedral on Place Sainte-Croix is a renaissance timber building from the late-15th century, which is unmissable in every sense. It stands at six storeys tall and its beams have an ornate diamond pattern. As is the case with most houses from this era, the upper levels are larger than the ones below, and are propped up by the most in...
Although the current Jardin des Plantes was plotted in the English style at the start of the 20th century, there had been a botanical garden here, just outside the old walls, since botany became fashionable in the 1700s. The park is four peaceful hectares of lawns, woodland, bushes, flowerbeds, a lake, stream and waterfalls, all embellished with sc...
Cross the Maine for a wander in the district once encircled by Angers’ walls. La Doutre is a clutter of streets and alleys, many with covered passageways and lined with timber-framed houses. All you have to do is take Rue Beaurepaire from the bridge and let yourself be drawn down the side streets. Place de la Laiterie has a real village-like feel i...
Terra Botanica isn’t your usual amusement attraction. When it opened in 2010 it became the first theme park based on plants and botany. And if that sounds a bit dry for kids there’s a lot for them to get stuck into, like La Balade des Cimes, a sort of elevated pedal monorail that lifts you above the tree canopy, and exciting 4D CGI movies that show...
This museum of classical and oriental art has been closed for refurbishments for the last couple of years. If it is open when you come, there are Roman ceramics, Egyptian hieroglyphics and a wealth of art from Japan and China, including porcelain, glassware, bronzes and theatre masks. But even of the museum is still being renovated, you’d be remiss...
Visit Angers, the capitale of Anjou by discovering our many castels, by crossing the the wine roads and by revitalising yourself on the banks of Loire river. Meet us at the Tourist Office of Angers.
Angers is situated on the banks of the Maine river in the Pays de la Loire region, and was once capital of the Anjou region of France - it is the seat of a bishopric dating from the third century and prefecture for the Maine-et-Loire department.
Explore Angers, the capital of Anjou, and make sure not to miss its many must-see treasures... A morning of culture at Angers Castle. Start your day at the Château d’Angers, one of the most popular visitor attractions in town. This castle, also known as the Château des Ducs d’Anjou, is one of the most emblematic buildings in town.
Sep 23, 2015 · Angers: Exploring the Capital of Historic Anjou. Angers is sheer delight, la douce France at her best. Handsomely situated along the Maine tributary of the Loire, Angers is luminous and laid back, indulging in splashes of flowers and numerous gardens. They claim it’s the greenest city in France.
