Loire Valley is without doubt one of the most stunning locations to discover in France and it’s stuffed with postcard-pretty villages, countless quantities of chateaus and stylish cities. Angers, the capital of the Maine-et-Loire division in western France, is one in every of these charming cities.
It’s not vastly often called a vacationer vacation spot as a substitute it attracts extra discerning guests within the know. I flew out to discover the town and located a sublime however laid-back place stuffed with attractive half-timbered structure, glorious museums, spectacular chateaus, artwork galleries galore and a few severely nice purchasing!
I began with one of many metropolis’s most iconic landmarks the fantastic 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 cherished the intricate Tapestry of the Apocalypse which depicts the tip 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, often known as the Home of Artisans.
This was a shocking and really well-preserved instance of Renaissance structure that after we took a wander inside found now homes workshops and studios for native craftsmen.
We took a marvel across the metropolis and we stumbled throughout the zen-like Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Angers which was housed in a former abbey.
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 dotted with fashionable artwork together with some sculptures, a few of which was very quirky!
I additionally stumbled throughout Musée Pincé, a hidden gem tucked away in a fantastic former mansion overlooking the Maine River.
Right here, I wandered by its richly embellished 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 unbelievable place to buy and I cherished 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 cherished this attractive historic sq. which was additionally the energetic hub of the town’s social and cultural life.
From early-morning strolls to late-night gatherings, the sq. buzzes with life as locals gathered to take pleasure in a leisurely meal, sip espresso and people-watch in outside cafe, or just take in the vibey ambiance.
Surrounded by elegant buildings, energetic cafes, and bustling retailers I sat in the course of the sq. people-watching on a deck chair with a cocktail in hand and thought it was an ideal place to whereas away 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 shocking neoclassical constructing and it frequently hosts cultural occasions comparable to operas, ballets, and theatrical performances all year long. We stumbled throughout a sublime mild present projected on the entrance of the constructing on our journey.
