Chateau d'Angers

About Chateau d'Angers

The Chateau d'Angers is a castle in Angers, Maine-et-Loire, in the western Loire. The castle is situated on a rocky ledge above the Maine River, in a place that has been occupied since prehistoric times. It is designated as a French National Monument. The Castle of Angers is a magnificent mediaeval castle encircled by massive walls and towers: the walls are 500 metres long.

They comprise 17 towers, in contrast to the castles in the Loire valley to the east of Angers. Because they incorporate ornamental lines of black slate and white limestone, and the moat is now filled with gardens and flowers, these defences are less ominous than you might think.


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Explore Chateau d'Angers

Visit Château d'Angers, a towering stronghold with spectacular views of the city and river, a small vineyard, and well-kept gardens. The 104-metre-long Apocalypse tapestry depicting the Book of Revelations is the main attraction here!

Tapestry of the Apocalypse

The famous Apocalypse tapestry is the monument's most attractive attraction. The tapestry is about 100 metres long and 4.50 metres high and was made in the late 14th century. Lambs, horses, eagles, seven-headed lions, manticores, and demons are the real and mythical animals shown on the tapestry. Apart from the Apocalypse Tapestry, the collection contains over a hundred tapestry works that are kept and occasionally displayed at the castle or cathedral.

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Architecture

The architecture of the castle is unique and is lined with elegant black and white striped walls made from slate and limestone quarried in the Loire valley. Because the castle served as a defensive front, it was surrounded by a large defensive ditch. The northern wall currently serves as the main entrance, with gardens planted along the eastern curtain wall. The gigantic mediaeval castle, which has 17 towers, is a stunning piece of mediaeval construction.

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Gardens

Chateau d'Agners' gardens are nearly unreal as they encompass most of the castle and are part of a long-term planning strategy. The central garden features clipped square lawns, box trees, and yews to create a tunnel, while an avenue of lime trees cut into cats' heads leads to the gatehouse. Near the Governor's home, next to the main castle, there is also a well, a topiary, and a rose bush.

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Portrait Gallery

The Chateau d'Angers boasts a large portrait gallery with faces from many periods of history. Paintings, sculptures, and painted window panes show historical personalities and mythological characters. The Virgin Mary, Jeanne de Laval, and "The Tears of Saint John" are among the most popular exhibitions.

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History of Chateau d'Angers

The castle of Angers, which sits on a rocky outcropping overlooking the Maine River, has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. The Count of Anjou first occupied the location in the ninth century, and a palace was built there 300 years later. The Regent Blanche of Castile built a stronghold in the 13th century for royal house troops.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Dukes of Anjou Louis I, Louis II, and King Rene lived a lavish court life beneath the fortress's protection. The castle became the residence of the region's dukes in the 14th century, earning it the nickname "Castle of the Anjou Dukes." The chapel, which was built to hold a portion of the True Cross, was one of the castle's additions. The Chateau d'Angers was a prominent centre for local lords and royal guests during the 14th and 15th centuries. During the 16th century Wars of Religion, a delegate of King Henry III modified the castle to accommodate developments in weaponry. The Army was housed there during the time and served as a prison.

With a variety of animals, fruit trees in the gardens, herbs and vegetables in the hanging gardens, and even beehives and a small vineyard, the Château was self-sufficient. Take a seat in the hanging garden if you have spare time and appreciate the serenity of being so high up and surrounded by fragrant flora.


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Plan Your Visit to Chateau d'Angers

Timings & How to reach
Best Time to Visit
Accessibility
Tips
Timings & How to reach

Timings:

From June 6 to September 4, daily hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

From September 5 to April 30, daily hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How to reach:

By Car: From Tours, take the A85 exit onto the A11/E501 toward Nantes/Angers, or take the N152 southwest to Saumur, then turn west on D952. If you're coming from Paris, take the A11 through Les Mans.

By Train: Three trains pass through Angers every day from Paris's Gare de Montparnasse 1 Et 2. Seven trains run from Tours to Angers train station, located at Place de la Gare, a short walk from Castle of Angers.

By Bus: From Paris City Centre to Bercy Seine, a direct bus arrives in Angers.

Best Time to Visit

Best time of the year: Visit the Chateau d'Angers during the summer season, i.e., from March to August. The town of Angers has warm, gentle weather in the summer, with a pleasant temperature of 19 degrees Celsius.

Best time of the day: The optimum time to visit Chateau d'Angers is in the morning, immediately after opening, and immediately before closing in the evening. During these times, fewer tourists are present in the castle and it becomes easier to explore the place. 

Accessibility
  • Accessible to wheelchair users
  • Loaned wheelchair
  • Elevators \Toilets
  • Dispensers for hydro-alcoholic gel pedals
  • Bookstore and boutique Sanitary Waste Bins for sanitary waste Drinking water point
Tips
  • Under some conditions, photography and videography are permitted on the castle grounds.
  • There is a no-fly zone within the castle grounds. Drones are not permitted to be flown in the region.
  • Commercial photography is not allowed on the premises without prior permission.
  • Hand sanitisers are strategically positioned throughout the castle. For the protection of visitors, hand sanitisers are recommended.
  • In the castle, there are no lockers available. Make careful to plan ahead of time because luggage is not permitted on the grounds of the castle.

FAQs

Where is Chateau d'Angers?

The Château d'Angers is located in 2 Prom. du Bout du Monde, 49100 Angers, France. 

What are Chateau d'Angers hours?

June 6 to September 4, daily, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

September 5 to April 30, daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

What is the best way to get to Chateau d'Angers?

The train is the best way to get from Paris to Chateau d'Angers. Every day, three trains depart from Paris's Gare Montparnasse 1 and 2 and run through Angers. Seven trains run from Tours to Angers railway station, a short walk from Chateau d'Angers, at Place de la Gare.

What is the best time to visit Chateau d'Angers?

The ideal time to visit Chateau d'Angers is in the morning, shortly after it opens, and in the evening, just before it closes. One can experience the splendour of Chateau d'Angers from 10 am to 6 pm. 

Who built the Chateau d'Angers?

In 1232, it was built on the orders of Blanche de Castile, Louis IX's mother. Anjou was annexed to the French monarchy in 1214, the year of the birth of Louis IX, popularly known as Saint Louis.

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