ANGERS
Weekender
Warm days on the edge of France’s Loire Valley are for
getting outside — explore the city’s mighty chateau,
cycle along the waterfronts and experience live music
at its distinctive riverside bars. Words: Carolyn BoydT
he city of Angers, in the heart of the
Pays de la Loire in Western France,
is home to a vibrant bar culture
and medieval monuments. Most imposing
of them all is its chateau: an unmissable
local landmark that’s home to the awe-
inspiring Apocalypse Tapestry, as well as
glorious views of the surrounding rivers
and countryside. If your ideal city break
involves shopping, restaurants and a slice of
culture, that’s all here, but prepare to spend
some time outdoors too. Angers’ setting on
the Maine river (and being very close to the
rivers Loire, Mayenne and Sarthe) means youcan get out along the riverside cycle paths,
potter upstream in a self-drive electric boat
or simply sink a glass of the local Anjou rosé
wine in one of the many riverside bars. When
dining out, try the local cuisine: specialities
include river ish served in the Loire’s famous
beurre blanc sauce (made with butter and
white wine) and unusual desserts such as the
light-as-a-feather cremet d’Anjou.
Better known are its alcoholic exports:
Angers is the home of two distilleries,
Cointreau and Gifard, which ofer visitors a
chance to enjoy local cocktails with a sniter
of history thrown in.48 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel