ANGERS – www.angersloiretourisme.com
Just as elsewhere in the Loire Valley, the city of Angers celebrates its historical and geographic endowment: the Loire's largest fortress, renowned Anjou vineyards from the third biggest wine region in France, and amazing gastronomy, brought to table in the restaurants of the pedestrianized historic old town, called the Cité. Even better, woven into this dynamic mix are nearly 40,000 students. Apropos of weaving, not to be missed is the 14th-century Apocalypse Tapestry on display in the castle. For two-wheelers, the Loire à Velo route through town and throughout the wine region makes getting around delightfully easy.
Fun Facts
The Apocalypse Tapestry on display in the Château d’Angers is the oldest French medieval tapestry to have survived to the present day and the biggest medieval tapestry ensemble in the world.
Angers is the largest horticultural center in Europe.
Significant Site
Château of Angers: the Loire Valley's largest fortress, which houses the spectacular medieval Apocalypse Tapestry
Extraordinary Exhibit
Musée des Beaux-Arts: a fine arts museum also covering the history of Angers
Delectable Delights
fricassée de poulet à l’angevine: made with chicken, onions, mushrooms, cream and Anjou wine
Anjou wines: a diverse and heady choice of dry and sweet whites, rosés and fruity reds are sourced from surrounding vineyards in the third largest wine region in France
Legendary Local
Nicolas Mahut: professional tennis player who achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 37 and is remembered for being part of the longest match in professional tennis history
Also in the Area
Terra Botanica: 27 acres of gardens, water features and greenhouses, 275,000 plants... and 40 theme park attractions
Abbaye de Fontevraud: a 12th-century abbey complex containing the tombs of four famous royals: Henry II, King of England; Eleanor of Aquitaine, his wife; their son Richard the Lionheart; and Isabelle of Angoulème, the wife of King John
Access from Paris
by road: about 3 hours (185 miles) via A11 autoroute (L'Océane)
by train: about 1 h 30 min by TGV from the Gare Montparnasse, and about 2 h 20 min by direct TGV from Paris CDG airport
For more about what to see and do in and around Angers, including on the “Art and History in Western France” itinerary, visit www.topfrenchcitybreaks.com.