Angers

There’s an expression in French: douceur angevine, or “the mildness of Angers”, that was coined by poet Joachim Du Bellay. And indeed the climate in Maine-et-Loire is very mild, thanks to the Loire river which winds its way through the valleys, watering the land. Arriving in Angers by Ouibus, you’ll immediately spot the impressive silhouette of the Château of the Dukes of Anjou. A vast and extremely well preserved medieval fortress, the castle was built on a shale promontory overlooking the river Maine. The famous Apocalypse tapestry is a real highlight: you won’t see a finer collection of medieval tapestries. Angers has the highest concentration of gardens and parks of any city in France: choose between 18 green spaces for a walk, enjoying the fresh air and delightful temperature. Step back in time with a stroll through the city’s oldest district, La Cité. Here you will find narrow, winding streets and traditional half-timbered houses alongside grand mansions. Angers is often called the back and white city, for its use of white limestone and black shale in its urban architecture. However, its not all ancient history, Angers is also known as a dynamic cultural centre. If you’re into contemporary music, don’t miss the opportunity to go to a concert at Chabada. And if theatre is your thing, be sure to visit during the Anjou Festival, the second largest theatre festival after the Avignon Festival.