Filled with filled with postcard-pretty villages, endless amounts of chateaus and elegant towns I think the Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful places to explore in France. Angers, the capital of the Maine-et-Loire department in western France, is one of these charming cities!
It’s not hugely known as a tourist destination instead it attracts more discerning visitors in the know but me and Scott Balaam flew out to explore this intriguing city on a long weekend.
I found it was elegant but laid-back place filled with gorgeous half-timbered architecture, excellent museums, impressive chateaus, art galleries galore and some seriously great shopping! But there were just a few things I didn’t like as well and I’ve outlined these at the end of the article…
I started with one of the city’s most iconic landmarks the fine and very striking Château d’Angers, a medieval fortress that has stood guard over the Maine River for over 800 years.
It was a very photogenic place with towering ramparts, imposing towers, and sturdy walls. Inside, I especially loved the intricate Tapestry of the Apocalypse which depicts the end of the world! Yikes!
I fell in love with the city’s historic centre which was dripping with architectural treasures, from the elegant Renaissance facades of the Adam House, also known as the House of Artisans.
This was a stunning and very well-preserved example of Renaissance architecture that when we took a wander inside discovered now houses workshops and studios for local craftsmen.
As we strolled around the city, we stumbled across the zen-like Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Angers which was housed in an impressively preserved former abbey made of stone. Inside it showcased a superb collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts spanning centuries of European history.
I was a big fan of its tranquil courtyard which was dotted with modern art including some sculptures, some of which was very quirky!
We also stumbled across Musée Pincé, a hidden gem tucked away in a fine former mansion overlooking the Maine River.
Here, we wandered through its richly decorated rooms, admiring its vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts spanning centuries of history.
Pretty buildings aside, I personally thought that Angers was an incredible place to shop and I loved wandering around its many independent boutiques, shopping for elegant French clothes and accessories as well as quirky trinkets and souvenirs.
The main square was called Place du Ralliement and I really liked this gorgeous historic square which was also the lively hub of the city’s social and cultural life.
From early-morning strolls to late-night gatherings, the square buzzed with life as locals gathered to enjoy a leisurely meal, sip coffee and people-watch in outdoor cafe, or simply soak up the charming atmosphere.
Surrounded by elegant buildings, lively cafes, and bustling shops we sat in the middle of the square people-watching on a deck chair with a cocktail in hand and thought it was a great place to spend a few hours in the sunshine.
Elegant shop fronts and ornate balconies line the square but to me the Grand Théâtre d’Angers really stood out. It was housed in a stunning neoclassical building and it continually hosts cultural events such as operas, ballets, and theatrical performances throughout the year. We stumbled across an elegant light show projected on the front of the building on our trip.
