Wander around castles

Centuries of history to discover

Angers, the capital of Anjou, is home to one of the 22 castles and châteaux classed as outstanding sites within the Loire Valley World Heritage site. Visiting Angers is an invitation to explore its extraordinary heritage. As well as its castle and châteaux, it has many other fascinating buildings, a historic quarter, French gardens and museums.

The unmissable Angers castle

The fortress of King René

The Château d’Angers (Angers Castle) is located right in the heart of town and is therefore impossible to miss. Standing proudly on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Maine River, it has existed since the 13th century. Its imposing Medieval curtain walls and 17 defensive towers have made it a city landmark. Although a little menacing in appearance from the outside, once you pass the drawbridge, you enter a whole other world. Dark schist stone gives way to lush green gardens that contrast beautifully with the white tufa stone of the various inner buildings like the chapel, châtelet (gateway into the internal courtyard) and seigneurial residence.

The Château d’Angers also houses the Apocalypse Tapestry, the city treasure commissioned by Louis I of Anjou in about 1375. Measuring some 103 metres long and 4.5 metres high on average, it features 71 scenes and is the largest Medieval tapestry series in the world. Since 2023, this masterpiece is inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register.

Visit Château d'Angers

Want to see more of Medieval Angers?

As you stroll through the city centre and wander along the paved streets of the old town next to the castle, you will soon become aware of a strong Medieval influence. The half-timbered houses are exceptional, particularly the Maison d’Adam with its amusing figures. There is also the 13th century Toussaint Abbey whose tufa stone walls and vaulted ceilings today provide the venue for the Galerie David d’Angers.

Jean-Lurçat and Contemporary Tapestry Museum

Discover The Gothic Style Of Angers

In addition to the castle, Angers abounds with unique buildings whose architecture is deeply marked by the Angevine Gothic style, also known as the Plantagenêt style. Be it in the Cathédrale Saint-Maurice, Musée Jean Lurçat or Collégiale Saint-Martin, you will see the particularly rounded vaults that are characteristic of this style. In order not to miss out on any of these city landmarks, follow the site-seeing trail suggested by the Tourist Office.

Angers City Pass, I reserve!

Save time by booking your Angers City Pass online. Once you’ve got it, you’ll have free access to 25 not-to-be-missed sites, plus a whole host of other benefits!

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A Beautiful History Of Châteaux

Nothing is more certain, Angers was a land of royalty! When roaming the region of Angers, you will see many other châteaux. If you include manor houses, Anjou has over a 1000 of them! All highly unique, they are certain to leave an impression on you. Some are privately owned and tell the stories of families of several generations old.

And then there are a few that just have to be seen, like the Château de Brissac, Europe’s tallest château with its seven storeys and 204 rooms (its nickname is the ‘Giant of the Loire Valley’), or the Château du Plessis-Macé, one of the Anjou region’s finest examples of Gothic-style architecture. No doubt, you will also want to see the Château du Plessis-Bourré. It is such a magical place that it has been used as a film location on several occasions, like in the French films Donkey Skin (Peau d’Ane) and Fan-Fan the Tulip. The impressive Château de Serrant with its collection of furniture and works of art is also a must-see.