A VIBRANT CITY WITH A RICH HISTORY

Angers is situated in the heart of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the 16th biggest city in France and not only does it have a rich history but it also offers its current inhabitants a very high quality of life in a dynamic and cultivated environment. 

Included in its many festivals and cultural events are:

• Festival d’Anjou, the second biggest theatre festival in France
• Premiers Plans (short films)
• African Cinema 
• Circus (es)
• Tempo Rives (music)
• Accroche-cœurs (street theatre)
• Winter Sun, to help you get gently into the Christmas mood from the end of November,
• Made In Angers, a not to be missed opportunity to get guided visits of all the main local industrial, horticultural and service companies, or to meet local craftsmen.

A city of art and history Angers boasts many art galleries, museums and places of historic interest:

• The castle of the dukes of Anjou, one of the most spectacular fortresses in France. A place where you can also see the famous tapestries of the Apocalypse, the biggest remaining set of medieval tapestries in the world,
• The Abbey Toussaint was built in the 13th century and was magnificently restored in 1984, with the bold addition of a glass roof. Today this abbey is home to the works of the sculptor Pierre-Jean David (1788-1856) and is known as the David d’Angers Gallery.
• The Museum of Fine Arts, (which, outside Paris, is the 4th biggest museum in France) was ranked best museum of West France by the ‘Journal des Arts’ in 2010,
• The Museum of Jean Lurçat houses the tapestries of this great local artist,
• Natural History Museum,
• Collegiate Church of St Martin.

To explore Angers on foot is not only to discover its pretty pedestrian streets, its lively squares and its many colourful gardens, it is also to discover a city with core eco-citizenship values.

Located in the heart of the third biggest wine growing region of France and the largest vineyard in the Loire Valley, the city of Angers is also a ‘plant capital’ with:

• more than 45 m2 of green space per capita,
• many parks and gardens,
• Terra Botanica, the unique theme park dedicated to European plants,
• and VEGEPOLYS, a global competitiveness cluster for plant innovation.

The CVPO, Community Plant Variety Office (OCVV in French) is an agency created by the European Community. It ensures the implementation and application of the community plaant variety protection system.

A region of excellence, Angers is at the forefront not only in the field of plants but also health and electronics. Angers won recognition of its digital prowess with the award of the ‘label French Tech’.

Angers has international contacts and exchanges with different cities around the world on issues such as the economy, education, culture, health, sport, tourism and social action. These cities are:

• Haarlem (the Netherlands)
• Osnabrück (Germany)
• Pise (Italy)
• Södertälje (Sweden)
• Torùn (Poland)
• Wigan (the UK)
• Bamako (Mali)
• Yantai (China)
• Austin (USA)

Access to Angers by road

Paris – Angers (300 km), A11”L’Océane”
Lille – Paris – Angers (500 km)
Rennes – Angers (130 km)
Nantes – Angers (90 km), A11
Tours – Angers (120 km), A85
Bordeaux – Cholet – Angers (325 km), A10/A83/A87

By fast train (TGV) Angers is

1hour 30 minutes from  Paris
4 hours from Lyon
3 hours15minutes from Lille
3 hours 40minute from Bruxelles

Air links

Nantes Atlantique International airport is 1 hour from Angers,

Telephone: 02 40 84 80 00 or www.nantes.aeroport.fr

Useful adresses 

“Irigo” buses provide 13 urban bus routes and a tramway, 02.41.33.64.64 or bustram.irigo.fr

CRIJ (Youth Information Centre) www.infos-jeunes.fr
Social security offices: www.ameli.fr

 National Education Authorities: www.ia49.ac-nantes.fr
Museums: www.ville-angers.fr
Tourist Office: www.angers-tourisme.com
Regional Tourism Committee: www.anjou-tourisme.com

Places to visit 

The castle of Angers: angers.monuments-nationaux.fr
David d’Angers Gallery: musees.angers.fr/les-musees/galerie-david-d-angers/le-lieu/index.html
Natural History Museum: www.angers.fr/vie-pratique/culture/les-equipements-culturels/le-museum-des-sciences-naturelles/le-museum-des-sciences-naturelles/index.html
The castle of Brissac: www.chateau-brissac.fr
The castle of Plessis bourré: www.plessis-bourre.com
The castle of Brézé: www.chateaudebreze.com
The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud: www.fontevraud.fr
Etc…