Angers, France: Gateway to the Loire Valley

Is Angers France Worth Visiting?

Yes, Angers is a moderately sized city in France. It is both historically and culturally significant and is an excellent hub for exploring the western side of the Loire Valley region.

Angers was the first stop and basecamp during our week in the Loire Valley. As a moderately sized city in France it offered many things to see and do, good hotel choices and a plethora of restaurants and food options and the train station was located right in the city.

We flew into the Nantes Atlantique Airport from London, picked up our rental car and proceeded to the route A-11 for our 103 kilometer drive to Angers. We were both nursing colds that we picked up during our travels to London so we didn’t have as much energy as usual.

Staying in the city made acquiring take out food nice and easy, except on Sunday when our choices were somewhat limited (note to self - damn near everything is closed on Sundays). We were glad that we planned an extra day for this part of the trip so that we could rest a bit and get back to good health. Despite how we felt we had a memorable time in Angers and recommend it as a basecamp for exploring this part of the Loire Valley.

Founded by the Gauls around the 3rd century BCE, the settlement, then known as Juliomagus, prospered under Roman rule, boasting impressive infrastructure and becoming a pivotal regional center. With the collapse of the Roman Empire, Angers experienced successive waves of conquest by various Germanic tribes before ultimately falling under Frankish control in the 9th century.

Under the Carolingian dynasty, Angers grew in importance as the capital of the County of Angers, later evolving into the powerful duchy of Anjou. The Middle Ages saw the city flourish as a center of learning and culture, exemplified by the establishment of the University of Angers in the 13th century and the creation of masterpieces like the Tapestry of the Apocalypse.

Angers reached its zenith during the Renaissance under the House of Valois-Anjou, becoming a hub of artistic and architectural innovation. However, the religious conflicts of the 16th century, notably the Wars of Religion, brought turmoil and destruction to the region, stalling its progress.

The French Revolution ushered in a new era of change, with Angers playing a significant role in the revolutionary movement. Since then, the city has continued to evolve, blending its rich heritage with modern innovation to become the vibrant cultural and economic center it is today.

Angers is located in the western part of France in the Pays de la Loire region. It is approximately 300 kilometers from Paris, 350 kilometers from Bordeaux, 90 kilometers from Nantes and 110 kilometers from Tours.

There are 22 castles and chateaux in the vicinity of Angers, France. We visited just three during our two night stay. We visited Chateau D'Angers, Chateau Brissac and Chateau Breze on our way to Chinon. During our trip research these stood out for us. You may find others worth visiting as well.

Click the map image to view a larger Google Map.

Since our primary purpose for visiting Angers was to serve as our base camp for exploring Chateaus in the area we spent most of our time there doing just that;

In addition to the Chateaus that we visited above you can explore other Chateaus in the area if you have time. Some of these include:

• Château de Plessis-Bourré: Approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Angers, this fairy-tale castle features a unique blend of medieval and Renaissance architecture. It's surrounded by a moat and offers guided tours showcasing its history and well-preserved interiors.
• Château de Serrant: Situated about 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of Angers, Château de Serrant is renowned for its extensive library, which houses over 12,000 books. The castle's architecture spans various styles from medieval to Renaissance, and it is set amidst scenic gardens and parkland.

• Terra Bonanica: This botanical theme park offers a fascinating journey through the world of plants. Visitors can explore themed gardens, interactive exhibits, and educational attractions that showcase the biodiversity of plant life.
• Cathédrale Saint-Maurice d'Angers: This stunning cathedral dates back to the 12th century and is renowned for its Gothic architecture and beautiful stained glass windows.
• Museum of Fine Arts: Located in a former 13th-century abbey, this museum houses an impressive collection of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts spanning from the 14th to the 21st century.
• Jardin des Plantes: This botanical garden offers a peaceful retreat from the city hustle. It features a wide variety of plants, including medicinal herbs, roses, and exotic species, as well as a small zoo and a picturesque lake.
• Old Town (Quartier de la Doutre): Take a stroll through the charming streets of Angers' historic Old Town, where you'll find medieval timber-framed houses, quaint shops, and cozy cafes.

• How can I get to Angers, France?

  By Train: Angers has a train station that is served by the TGV Atlantique line, which connects major cities such as Paris, Nantes and Bordeaux. The Angers-Saint-Laud station is the main station and serves as a hub for both regional and high-speed train services.

  By Plane: Nearby Nantes has a regional airport with direct flights to London and other major cities in Europe. From Nantes you can take the train or rent a car and drive to Angers.

  By Car: Angers is easily accessible by car via major Autoroutes. From Nantes take the A11 autoroute (toll road) east towards Angers. The trip takes 1 to 1.5 hours. From Paris take the A11 southwest towards Le Mans. It will typically take between 2.5 to 3 hours.

• Where should I stay in Angers?

  We were able to easily find a hotel within walking distance of the Chateau d’Angers. The rooms were quite small in the one that we chose. A great way to look for places to stay is to use a website like Search Expedia. We’ve found it useful to use one platform like Expedia when we book places to stay during our trips. Especially longer trips that include multiple stops. We can easily log into one website and double check and see our reservations all located in one place.

  As is typical in France and other European countries, it can be tricky to find a hotel with parking but there are several parking lots located in the city. Sometimes your hotel can offer suggestions regarding the best place to park nearby if they don’t have their own parking available. See our link below in the next section, for a Google Map displaying parking lots in Angers.

• Where should I eat in Angers?

• Parking in Angers: As is common in nearly all French cities, parking can be a challenge. Here is a link to a Google Search Results Page for public parking in Angers France.
• Restaurants in Angers: Here is a link to a Google Search Results Page for restaurants in Angers France.
• Wikipedia Article for Angers France: Here is a link to the Angers France Wikipedia Article.
• Google Image Gallery for Angers France: Click here to view the Google Images set for Angers France.
• Website for Angers France: Click here to visit their Website.

The following list contains links to all of our other French Destinations, click any blue colored link to go to that page.