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What to See & Do in Angers, France | |
| Prime sight in Angers is the mighty Château d'Angers, a massive medieval fortress with a long history and, within it, the priceless Tapestry of the Apocalypse. | ||
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Angers is a charming small city (about 150,000 inhabitants) just 300 kilometers (186 miles) southwest of Paris in the Loire region (map). If you want to get a sense of "real" France, a place that is not inundated with tourists, Angers is a great place to visit. It has a long and illustrious history, and a variety of things to see and do. A good way to get oriented to Angers is to follow the "Blue Trail," a self-guided walking tour of the historic area of the city. Also called the "Historic Center Circuit," it is outlined on a map you can get from the Tourist Information Office, on Place du Président Kennedy across from the Château d'Angers. It will take you in a circle from the château and you will see the lovely Cathédrale St-Maurice; the Maison d'Adam, with wood carvings dating from the 15th century; a variety of museums, galleries, and historic monuments; the central Place du Ralliement and its 19th-century theater; and lots more. Château d'AngersThe historic center of Angers is dominated by the great Château d'Angers, a medieval fortress supported by 17 towers and surrounded by a moat. To see the château and the city from a bird's-eye view, follow the chemin de Rond along the ramparts of the fortress. Here are some other suggestions for your visit. More... Tapestry of the ApocalypseWithin the fortress, now a museum, is the Tappiserie de l'Apocalypse, the 100-meter-long Tapestry of the Apocalypse woven between 1377 and 1382, depicting scenes from the Bible's Book of Revelations. It's even longer (and taller) than the famed Bayeux Tapestry. The Tapestry of the Apocalypse is a stunning work of art, both historical and religious, and should be savored. More...
Maison d'AdamBehind the cathedral on the Place Sainte-Croix is the well-preserved Maison d'Adam, a half-timbered town house dating from the early 1500s decorated with delightful carved wooden sculptures. Plan to take a little time to examine the surprising variety of creatures and poses, and imagine how people 500 years ago would have seen them. More... Museums of AngersLes musées d'Angers, or museums of Angers, include 6 museums and the "artothèque, where residents can "borrow" works of art. Ranging from fine arts to sculpture to contemporary tapestry, and also encompassing natural sciences and a castle, the museums have something for everyone. More... Cathédrale Saint-Maurice d'AngersAngers was the power-center of the Counts of Anjou, who beautified their capital city with the Cathédrale Saint-Maurice-d'Angers, an early Plantagenet Gothic building with a 12th-century main portal and stained glass dating from the 1100s to 1500s The organ dates from 1758. The grand cascade of steps in the front leading down to the river Maine is the Montée St-Maurice. More... Carré CointreauThe delicious orange-flavored liqueuer Cointreau is only distilled in one place in the world, and it's right outside of Angers. You can enjoy a tour and tasting and learn the history of this famous drink. More...
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