Contents:
- What to see in Angers?
- What to do in Angers during your camping holiday?
- What to visit around Angers?
- Where to stay at a campsite in Angers?
What to see in Angers?
Angers Castle and the Apocalypse Tapestry
Overlooking the River Maine since the 13th century, Angers Castle is one of the city’s must-see landmarks. Its imposing walls and seventeen towers make it a particularly distinctive building. Inside, a tour offers visitors the chance to discover the Apocalypse Tapestry, an exceptional collection of medieval tapestries created in the late 14th century.
The fortress is a good starting point for exploring Angers’ historic centre, before continuing your stroll through the city’s ancient streets.
The old town and city centre of Angers
Around the castle and the cathedral, the historic centre is perfect for a leisurely stroll. Half-timbered houses, mansions and cobbled streets bear witness to the city’s rich past.
As you continue your walk towards the city centre, you’ll come across the Place du Ralliement, the Grand Théâtre, Rue Saint-Aubin and the Place Sainte-Croix. It’s a chance to enjoy both the city’s heritage and its lively shopping atmosphere.
Saint-Maurice Cathedral
Situated between the castle and the old town, Saint-Maurice Cathedral in Angers is another major landmark in the city centre. Built mainly between the 11th and 13th centuries, it is particularly notable for its Angevin Gothic architecture and its stained-glass windows.
It can easily be included in a stroll through the historic centre, between the castle and the old quarters.
Angers’ museums
Angers also boasts several museums that allow visitors to explore the city and its heritage in greater depth.
The Museum of Fine Arts, housed in the Hôtel Particulier de Pincé, features collections ranging from antiquity to contemporary art. The David d’Angers Gallery, located in the former Toussaint Abbey, is dedicated to the famous Angevin sculptor. The Jean-Lurçat Museum of Contemporary Tapestry rounds off this artistic exploration.
What to do in Angers during your camping holiday?
Take a stroll along the banks of the Maine
The River Maine flows through Angers before joining the River Loire a few kilometres further south. Its banks offer a different perspective on the city, which is particularly pleasant when the weather is fine.
A stroll along the river allows you to enjoy the urban scenery from the banks or to explore the landscaped green spaces around the river. Whether on foot or by bike, the banks of the Maine are a great way to take a break between visits to the historic centre.
Enjoying the parks and gardens
Angers is renowned for its many green spaces. The Jardin des Plantes, situated close to the city centre, makes for a pleasant stop during a visit. Other parks offer a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the centre and enjoy a more natural setting.
For families, the Lac de Maine leisure park also offers plenty to do: walks, sports and water-based activities, or simply relaxing by the water’s edge. In summer, the site hosts a range of activities and entertainment around the lake.
Discover Terra Botanica
Just a few kilometres from the centre of Angers, Terra Botanica offers a fun way to discover the world of plants. Gardens, attractions and entertainment allow visitors to explore plants and their history in a variety of ways.
Exploring Angers by bike
With the Loire and the Maine rivers nearby, Angers is also ideal for exploring by bike. The routes allow you to gradually leave the city behind and head for the landscapes of the Loire region and the surrounding villages.
For holidaymakers staying for several days at a campsite, cycling offers a great way to mix up your sightseeing and discover the Angers region in a different way.
Where can you go for a swim around Angers in summer?
In summer, when temperatures rise, there are several places to enjoy a swim near Angers. Lac de Maine, right in Angers, has a beach and a designated swimming area during the season. A few kilometres away, Les Sablières in Écouflant also offers a beach with facilities by the lake. Further south, the Étang leisure park in Brissac Loire Aubance also offers supervised swimming, including a play area for children.
To discover more swimming spots in the department, see our article ‘Where to go swimming in Maine-et-Loire?’.
What’s there to see around Angers?
The area around Angers makes it easy to extend your camping holiday. Just a few kilometres from the city, the landscape changes rapidly, and the Loire, the vineyards and the charming villages offer plenty of new ideas for day trips.
Brissac and its castle
To the south of Angers, Brissac-Quincé is particularly well known for its château, nicknamed the ‘giant of the Loire Valley’ due to its seven storeys. The village makes for an interesting day trip from Angers and offers a chance to discover another side of Anjou.
Les Ponts-de-Cé
On the outskirts of Angers, Les Ponts-de-Cé stretches along the River Loire. The town is popular for its heritage, its Loire landscapes and the opportunities for walks along the riverbank.
It is also an attractive destination for holidaymakers wishing to stay in a quieter setting whilst remaining within easy reach of Angers.
Savennières and the vineyards of Anjou
To the west of Angers, the vineyard-dotted countryside gradually gives way to the city. The Savennières area, renowned for its white wines, offers the chance to explore the hillsides and villages dotted around the Loire.
An ideal day trip combining heritage, scenery and local cuisine.
Where to stay at a campsite in Angers?
If you’re looking to stay at a campsite in Angers, you can choose between a campsite located right in the city and around ten sites in the surrounding area. Here we’ve picked out three sites that we’ve selected for their location and their suitability for exploring Angers and the surrounding area.
The Lac de Maine campsite in Angers
Set within the Lac de Maine leisure park, the Lac de Maine**** campsite is the only campsite situated right in Angers. The campsite features a heated swimming pool with a paddling pool, a children’s playground and a range of sports facilities. Holidaymakers can also hire bikes on site or enjoy the water sports on offer at Lac de Maine, including canoeing, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing.
It’s a particularly convenient way to combine a visit to Angers with a stay in the countryside, without having to travel far from the city.
L’Étang in Brissac Loire Aubance
To the south of Angers, the L’Étang**** campsite offers a stay in a more rural setting, whilst remaining close enough to explore Angers, Brissac and the wine-growing landscapes of Anjou. The L’Étang leisure park, with its summer swimming facilities, also provides a welcome option for a day out on hot days.
Slow Village Les Ponts-de-Cé
Just a stone’s throw from Angers, the Slow Village Les Ponts-de-Cé*** campsite offers another option for staying close to the city, in a setting overlooking the Loire.
From these three campsites, Angers can serve as the starting point for a holiday combining heritage, walks, swimming and exploring the landscapes of Anjou.