A green weekend to discover Angers and Terra Botanica

Spend a weekend in the countryside, get together as a couple or as a family and simply take the time to enjoy life! Take a stroll through a theme park dedicated to the world of plants, savor the beauty of the countryside aboard a traditional boat, stroll through the parks and gardens in the heart of the city… Visiting Angers means discovering a lively destination, full of charm, and in just a few steps, finding yourself in the heart of nature. Welcome to France’s leading green city*!

Day 1: Nature bath at Terra Botanica

This weekend in Anjou begins with a day’s visit to Europe’s leading plant park: Terra Botanica. Terra Botanica is a unique site that raises visitors’ awareness of the world of plants and biodiversity in a fun and educational way. Discover the history of plants and their secrets through 5 immersive worlds. From extraordinary gardens to tropical greenhouses, wander through the park’s 12 hectares, where more than 500,000 plants from the four corners of the globe come to life. Attractions, shows and animations… A colorful sensory journey awaits you. Follow the journey of a drop of water in a 4D cinema, embark on an enchanted world alongside a peddler, become an amber researcher, take to the skies aboard a gigantic balloon**, explore the Mysteries of the Forest… It doesn’t take much to restore your childlike spirit! After a day full of adventures and emotions, catch your breath and enjoy a bucolic boat ride for a moment of pure relaxation!

In 2024, Terra Botanica will be introducing two major new features: the Animal Glade and the Butterfly Gallery. From spring onwards, you’ll be able to observe some fifty free-ranging animals and hundreds of butterflies of different species!

During the summer season, extend your visit until nightfall and enjoy Terra Nocta, an extraordinary sound and light show featuring 5 immersive tableaux. It’s a magical way to round off a wonderful day at Terra Botanica!

A word of advice for those who want to take their time and enjoy all the attractions on offer: don’t hesitate to visit the park over 2 consecutive days.

Day 2: Breathe deeply, nature in Angers is…right in the heart of the city!

After a night in your retro-chic room, followed by a gentle awakening to birdsong, start this second day with a 100% healthy breakfast in an idyllic setting! With its six hectares of greenery, Château des Forges is a haven of peace for nature lovers in search of rejuvenation.

Now it’s time to discover France’s most livable city***! Angers offers the perfect balance between city and nature, with a joie de vivre you won’t find anywhere else. Stroll through the narrow streets of the historic city, admiring the timber-framed houses built in the Middle Ages. At the end of the alleyways stands an imposing fortress, the emblem of the city of Angers: the Château d’Angers. Enter the inner courtyard via the drawbridge and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. Stroll through the remarkable gardens that give the monument its charm. Between vineyards, greenhouses and vegetable gardens, no one could have guessed that these walls were home to so many treasures. You won’t want to leave without seeing the medieval Tapestry of the Apocalypse, a true masterpiece of medieval art listed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World register.

Walk down Place Kennedy and along the castle ramparts to the Promenade Jean Turc. Take a stroll for two and enjoy the gentle rhythm of Anjou.

Head for the banks of the Maine! At the end of the promenade, take the Pont de Verdun to Quai des Carmes and the charming Doutre district. Stroll through the medieval alleyways, then take a lunch break at the Mamie Fada restaurant. This Angevine restaurant, facing La Maine, offers a delightful blend of simple, generous and creative seasonal cuisine.

After a tasty meal, head to the Cale de la Savatte for an immediate embarkation aboard a traditional Loire boat: the Gabare or the Toue, with Vogue en Maine. As you float along, let us tell you all about Anjou’s history, and discover the city in a whole new light. Sail from La Maine to the Île Saint-Aubin ferry on the Mayenne, for a moment of pure escape!

Did you know?

Long ago, the Quai des Carmes, the Cale de la Savatte and the Doutre district were…an island!

This weekend in the fresh air is already drawing to a close. Before leaving the city of Anjou, let yourself be tempted by a last sunbath at the Guinguette du Héron Carré, a green setting on the banks of the Maine. As soon as the warm weather arrives, this is the place to be for Angevins. Listen to a concert, play a game of shuffleboard or Molkky, relax… The festive, friendly atmosphere is sure to win you over and make you want to come back (even more!).

If you’re lucky enough to still have some time to spare, don’t hesitate to continue your stroll and discover the exceptional natural sites close to Angers. The Basses Vallées Angevines, the Ardoisières, the vineyards…are just waiting for you!

Suggested accommodation for your weekend in Angers :

At the Château des Forges, live the life of a château for a weekend and enjoy a unique stay in a verdant setting! A change of scenery guaranteed!

A tip for smart sightseeing:

The Angers City Pass is the key to admission to the Château d’Angers and the Terra Botanica park. Practical and economical, it’s perfect for a day or weekend visit to the city of Angers! Would you like to make the most of Angers and the surrounding area for 3 days? You’re right. The Angers City Pass 72h also exists, so you’d be wrong to miss out.

*Observatoire des Villes vertes de France 2020 ranking, valid for 3 years.

**You’ll need to pay an extra €5 for the lift.

***Classified in January 2024 by the association “Villes et villages où il fait bon vivre”.