Angers is a medium-sized French city which is the capital of the Maine-et-Loire département in the northwestern region of Pays de la Loire. It offers the traveller a mixture of an typical French night-life, historically rich street-scapes and great shopping opportunities.
Located in the French region which was known as Anjou in the Middle Ages, today Angers is a bustling French city, home to around 150,000 people in the city and roughly 270,000 people in the greater metropolitan area. It's a place with great appeal to historians and travelers interested in discovering France's rich medieval history.
- Angers castle, 2 Boulevard du Général de Gaulle. An impressive defence work from the 9th century, it has 17 black towers. As a bonus, it hosts an extremely large medieval Tapestry of the Apocalypse, really a spectacular set of tapestries which is one of the greatest artworks that has come down to us from the Middle Ages.
- Jean Lurçat and Contemporary Tapestry Museum, 4 Boulevard Arago, +33 2 41 24 18 45. Housed in the 12th century St. Jean’s Hospital buildings. Since 1967, “Le chant du monde” (the song of the earth) by Jean Lurçat is displayed in the patients’ ward. Hanging on the wall is a modern replica of the Apocalypse tapestry of Angers, which Lurçat discovered in 1937.
- Museum of Fine Arts, 14 Rue du Musée, +33 2 41 05 38 00. Since 1796 the Museum of Fine Arts has been housed in the Barrault residence, a late 15th century private home. The collection includes paintings by painters such as Chardin, Watteau, Fragonard, Boucher, David and Ingres). The collection also includes Goldsmith’s work, enamel, and ivory arts.
- Pincé Museum, 32 Rue Lenepveu, +33 2 41 05 38 00. This museum is in the 16th century Pincé residence. It is a museum which primarily focuses on the classical world. In line with this Classical focus the museum includes a selection of Greek & Roman artifacts including pottery & glasswork. There are similar items also on show to commemorate Ancient Egypt, China & Japan also.
- David d'Angers Gallery, 33B Rue Toussaints, +33 2 41 05 38 90. The All Saints Abbey is one of the biggest 13th century abbeys in Angers. Since 1984 it has housed an important collection of plaster models, medallions, marble & bronze statues which were sent by Jean-Pierre David (1788-1856) to his native town’s museum.
- Espace Air Passion, +33 2 41 33 04 10. Created by some local aviation enthusiasts who were determined to safeguard in our memories the role of those great men of the great flying adventure, such as Roland Garros, René Gasnier, etc. The aim of this museum was to give the visitor an opportunity to discover the second national collection of light and winged aircraft in France. Temporary exhibitions, guided conferences, and restoration of the “vieux coucous” demonstrations are organized on an on-going basis.
Jean Lurçat and Contemporary Tapestry Museum, 4 Boulevard Arago, +33 2 41 24 18 45. Housed in the 12th century St. Jean’s Hospital buildings. Since 1967, “Le chant du monde” (the song of the earth) by Jean Lurçat is displayed in the patients’ ward. Hanging on the wall is a modern replica of the Apocalypse tapestry of Angers, which Lurçat discovered in 1937.
Museum of Fine Arts, 14 Rue du Musée, +33 2 41 05 38 00. Since 1796 the Museum of Fine Arts has been housed in the Barrault residence, a late 15th century private home. The collection includes paintings by painters such as Chardin, Watteau, Fragonard, Boucher, David and Ingres). The collection also includes Goldsmith’s work, enamel, and ivory arts.
Pincé Museum, 32 Rue Lenepveu, +33 2 41 05 38 00. This museum is in the 16th century Pincé residence. It is a museum which primarily focuses on the classical world. In line with this Classical focus the museum includes a selection of Greek & Roman artifacts including pottery & glasswork. There are similar items also on show to commemorate Ancient Egypt, China & Japan also.
David d'Angers Gallery, 33B Rue Toussaints, +33 2 41 05 38 90. The All Saints Abbey is one of the biggest 13th century abbeys in Angers. Since 1984 it has housed an important collection of plaster models, medallions, marble & bronze statues which were sent by Jean-Pierre David (1788-1856) to his native town’s museum.
Espace Air Passion, +33 2 41 33 04 10. Created by some local aviation enthusiasts who were determined to safeguard in our memories the role of those great men of the great flying adventure, such as Roland Garros, René Gasnier, etc. The aim of this museum was to give the visitor an opportunity to discover the second national collection of light and winged aircraft in France. Temporary exhibitions, guided conferences, and restoration of the “vieux coucous” demonstrations are organized on an on-going basis.
Angers castle, 2 Boulevard du Général de Gaulle. An impressive defence work from the 9th century, it has 17 black towers. As a bonus, it hosts an extremely large medieval Tapestry of the Apocalypse, really a spectacular set of tapestries which is one of the greatest artworks that has come down to us from the Middle Ages.
For being a fair-sized town, Angers has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and night-life.
There are three cinemas: Gaumont Variétés (Blvd. Foch), Les Quatre Cent Coups (Rue Clavell) and Gaumont Multiplexe (St. Serge).
The main pedestrians strip runs along rue St. Laud. There you will find many cafés, such as Bar du Centre, and bars.
Tourists can do some shopping in "Atoll", a big mall not far (few minutes) from the city center.
- Gliding Club, Zone Sud, Aéroport d'Angers Loire, 49140 Marcé (20 km NNE of Angers (at Angers Airport), +33 2 41 33 50 62. Weather dependent. Gliding club. Trial flights (Le vol d'initiation). Tuition and visiting pilots (range of options and prices).
- Sailing Club, Le PAVOA – Parc de loisir du lac de Maine 75 avenue du lac de maine 49000 Angers (6 km SW of Angers, W shore of Lac du Maine, +33 2 41 73 83 00. Tu–Sa 09:00–12:00 & 13:30–18:00 (check during winter). Sailing dinghy hire, teaching, racing.
Gliding Club, Zone Sud, Aéroport d'Angers Loire, 49140 Marcé (20 km NNE of Angers (at Angers Airport), +33 2 41 33 50 62. Weather dependent. Gliding club. Trial flights (Le vol d'initiation). Tuition and visiting pilots (range of options and prices).
Sailing Club, Le PAVOA – Parc de loisir du lac de Maine 75 avenue du lac de maine 49000 Angers (6 km SW of Angers, W shore of Lac du Maine, +33 2 41 73 83 00. Tu–Sa 09:00–12:00 & 13:30–18:00 (check during winter). Sailing dinghy hire, teaching, racing.
Since Angers is a university town, there are a lot of bars thronged by young people. Passing via the chateau during night one can see groups of young students going to bars. Soft, flastaff, Bolero are few notable ones and popular among students community.