Angers France

Home of the Apocalypse Tapestry, Cathedrals and Abbeys, and a Loire Valley Chateau

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 Chateau 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.

The St Maurice Cathedral sits majestically above the city and can be seen 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 Aubusson tapestries are displayed on a rotating basis and the oldest of the tapestries are displayed in the Chateau.

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.

The city itself is an architectural museum with its chateau, 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.






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.

However, the 70 panel Apocalypse tapestries at the Angers Chateau and the contemporary tapestries at the Jean Lurçat Museum came in a close second.



The Chateau 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 it was turned over to the Ministry of Fine Arts and restore. Today it houses a rare collection of tapestries of the Apocalypse which was made for Louis I of Anjou. The Chateau is built of ardoise which is mined locally in Trélazé, a suburb of Angers. The Anjou region is known for the high quality of this slate and all local buildings must use this slate for their roofs.



The city wall, which was 4 kilometers long, had 4 gates at which points the city walls were reinforce by circular towers. The Villebon tower is one of the remaining towers associated with these gates.

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