Angers France – My Top 6 reasons to visit
My France blog on Angers France was the beginning of my adventure in Angers’ French immersion program. Come with me as we explore the town and its sculptures, the Château and its amazing Apocalypse Tapestry and other beautiful sites in Angers.
What makes Angers France different from other cities in the Loire Valley? Angers is located on the river Maine, which is the shortest river in France and the other Loire Valley cities are locate on the river Loire which is the longest river in France. I fell in love with the city and its people this summer while living here for a French immersion program called CIDEF.
View of St Maurice Cathedral from the Chateau Gardens
I claimed there are six reasons to visit but if you count individually each of the amazing museums that number will rise!
Saint-Maurice Cathedral
The St Maurice Cathedral sits majestically above the city, visible from many locations. It is particularly noted for its stained glass which dates from the XII through XX centuries and its collection of tapestries and frescoes. The church displays the Aubusson tapestries on a rotating basis. The oldest of the tapestries reside in the Château.
Saint Maurice Cathedral
Ronceray Abbey & Church of the Trinity
There are many churches and abbeys to explore in Angers France. One of these is the Ronceray abbey and church of the Trinity which are found just over the Verdun bridge in the area of the city known as La Doutre. This area is full of history and rich in monuments.
Ronceray Abbaye
Historical Architecture
The city itself forms an architectural museum with its château, timbered houses, abbeys, and churches. The historical architecture is a vibrant part of the city and is part of what makes Angers so beautiful. I would definitely classify these sites as part of Angers’ museum culture. The area between the Chateau and the Cathedral is of particular interest because it is the oldest part of the city. Enjoy a walk along the narrow cobblestone streets where you will find houses from the X, XII and XIV centuries.
La Doutre neighborhood near Ronceray Abbaye
Amazing Museums
If you want to explore more museums, you will find that Angers has something for everyone. My favorite was the David d’Angers Gallery with its amazing sculptures, not to mention the historical restored abbey in which it is housed.
David d’Angers Museum
However, the 70 panel Apocalypse tapestries at the Château d’Angers and the contemporary tapestries at the Jean Lurçat Museum came in a close second.
The Château
The Château d’Angers ( or Angers Castle) was built around 1232 as a fortress because Angers had become a border outpost. Over the years it has been everything from an ammunition depot to a hospice to a prison. In 1951 the Ministry of Fine Arts took over to restore it. Today it houses a rare collection of tapestries of the Apocalypse made for Louis I of Anjou. The Château is built of ardoise which is mined locally in Trélazé, a suburb of Angers. Known for the high quality of this ardoise slate, all local buildings in the Anjou must use this slate for their roofs.
Chateau d’Angers
Villebon Tower
Fountain at the base of the Villebon Tower
The city wall, which extended 4 kilometers in length, had 4 gates. At these points, circular towers reinforces the wall. The Villebon Tower is one of the remaining towers associated with these gates.
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