Stuffed with crammed with postcard-pretty villages, countless quantities of chateaus and chic cities I feel the Loire Valley is without doubt one of the most lovely locations to discover in France. Angers, the capital of the Maine-et-Loire division in western France, is one among these charming cities!
It’s not massively generally known as a vacationer vacation spot as a substitute it attracts extra discerning guests within the know however me and Scott Balaam flew out to discover this intriguing metropolis on an extended weekend.
I discovered it was elegant however laid-back place crammed with attractive half-timbered structure, glorious museums, spectacular chateaus, artwork galleries galore and a few severely nice buying! However there have been just some issues I didn’t like as effectively and I’ve outlined these on the finish of the article…
I began with one of many metropolis’s most iconic landmarks the advantageous and really putting Château d’Angers, a medieval fortress that has stood guard over the Maine River for over 800 years.
It was a really photogenic place with towering ramparts, imposing towers, and durable partitions. Inside, I particularly liked the intricate Tapestry of the Apocalypse which depicts the top of the world! Yikes!
I fell in love with the town’s historic centre which was dripping with architectural treasures, from the elegant Renaissance facades of the Adam Home, also referred to as the Home of Artisans.
This was a surprising and really well-preserved instance of Renaissance structure that once we took a wander inside found now homes workshops and studios for native craftsmen.
As we strolled across the metropolis, we stumbled throughout the zen-like Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Angers which was housed in an impressively preserved former abbey product of stone. Inside it showcased an excellent assortment of work, sculptures, and ornamental arts spanning centuries of European historical past.
I used to be an enormous fan of its tranquil courtyard which was dotted with trendy artwork together with some sculptures, a few of which was very quirky!
We additionally stumbled throughout Musée Pincé, a hidden gem tucked away in a advantageous former mansion overlooking the Maine River.
Right here, we wandered via its richly adorned rooms, admiring its huge assortment of work, sculptures, and ornamental arts spanning centuries of historical past.
Fairly buildings apart, I personally thought that Angers was an unimaginable place to buy and I liked wandering round its many unbiased boutiques, searching for elegant French garments and equipment in addition to quirky trinkets and souvenirs.
The principle sq. was known as Place du Ralliement and I actually appreciated this attractive historic sq. which was additionally the vigorous hub of the town’s social and cultural life.
From early-morning strolls to late-night gatherings, the sq. buzzed with life as locals gathered to take pleasure in a leisurely meal, sip espresso and people-watch in out of doors cafe, or just absorb the charming environment.
Surrounded by elegant buildings, vigorous cafes, and bustling outlets we sat in the midst of the sq. people-watching on a deck chair with a cocktail in hand and thought it was an important place to spend a couple of hours within the sunshine.
Elegant store fronts and ornate balconies line the sq. however to me the Grand Théâtre d’Angers actually stood out. It was housed in a surprising neoclassical constructing and it frequently hosts cultural occasions resembling operas, ballets, and theatrical performances all year long. We stumbled throughout a chic mild present projected on the entrance of the constructing on our journey.
