What to do in Maine-et-Loire in Anjou? Top 15 most beautiful places
Located in the West of France, Anjou, department of Maine-et-Loire , is a destination to discover which offers visitors superb landscapes and a rich heritage. It is home to the famous castles of the Loire (more than 1,000, from Angers to Saumur via Brissac or Serrant) as well as the largest concentration of troglodyte sites in France. The Angevin heritage is also a multitude of preserved religious buildings such as the royal abbey of Fontevraud, a masterpiece which was one of the most important monastic cities in the Christian West. The towns of Anjou are also full of magnificent monuments and museums: the fortified castle and the Apocalypse tapestry in Angers, the textile and shoe industry museums in Cholet. In terms of lifestyle, the vineyards of Anjou and Saumur are part of the region's identity with 32 wine appellations. A stay in Anjou is therefore a great opportunity to take in the sights and immerse yourself in the heart of French history while tasting the famous Angevin sweetness evoked by the poet Joachim du Bellay...
1. Visit the sumptuous Fontevraud Abbey
Located in the heart of the Loire Anjou Touraine Regional Park, the royal abbey of Fontevraud is the largest monastic city in France inherited from the Middle Ages. The final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Fontevraud houses the recumbent figure of the woman who was Queen of France and then of England, alongside those of Henry II Plantagenet and Richard the Lionheart. Fontevraud was first a monastery – ahead of its time – at the head of which 36 abbesses succeeded one another for more than six centuries. The nuns were forced, after the French Revolution, to leave the abbey which, like many religious monuments, was transformed into a prison. It was then considered one of the harshest prisons in France but also one of the most poetic, nicknamed “the prison of 1,001 windows and doors” because of its numerous arches and stained glass windows. Don't miss the abbey church, whose refined choir of impressive dimensions marks the apogee of Romanesque art, stop near the recumbent figures of the kings of England and explore the archaeological crypt which takes us back to the origins of the place. The Grand-Moûtier cloister, for its part, has retained its original dimensions and is, quite simply, one of the largest European buildings of this type.
2. Go to Terra Botanica Park, a must-see in Maine-et-Loire
Terra Botanica is a unique park in Europe which combines attractions (some of which are rich in sensations) and discovery of the world of plants, in greenhouses reproducing both our mild temperate climate and the heat of the tropical jungle. More than 5,000 plant species from all continents will reveal their secrets to you: phosphorescent flowers, thousand-year-old trees, carnivorous plants, forgotten vegetables, exceptional collection of orchids, roses, palm trees... You can also fly aboard the largest gas balloon of the world which overlooks the Angevin territory, and admire a breathtaking view at an altitude of 150 meters. Climb aboard the little train which will take you through new paths in the company of a guide or climb into a giant walnut shell and travel through the treetops. The park also takes you into the world of the imagination with various shows (holograms, 4D, theater, etc.) taking place throughout the day. An unmissable visit for all curious people and plant enthusiasts, but not only that!
3. Go to Brissac Castle
Both medieval and Renaissance in style, the Château de Brissac is a former fortified castle from the 11th century which is today the tallest castle in France with 204 rooms spread over seven floors which have also earned it the nickname "" Giant of the Loire Valley.” The visits, free and documented or guided (allow around 1h15) will allow you to discover an interior in excellent condition. Start from the large living room, where furniture, paintings and photos are displayed, then pass into the dining room where a table is said to have remained set since the dukes' greatest receptions. Go up the floors then wander through the painting gallery and the reconstructed rooms, before arriving in a private theater with around a hundred seats dating from the Belle Époque. Finally, don't forget to end the visit by going to see the castle cellars, where you will be offered a wine tasting before joining the park with flowered paths shaded by century-old trees. A magnificent visit to absolutely do!
4. Visit Angers Castle and see the Apocalypse tapestry
Located less than 2 hours by train from Paris , the Château d'Angers is a fortress dating from the 13th century , built on the side of the river on a slate peak and which houses various medieval buildings and varied gardens: hanging vegetable garden, rose garden, vineyard. You can visit its outbuildings, its home, its chapel and stroll on the ramparts to enjoy a panoramic view of Angers and its river banks bordered by the Maine and the Doutre. The castle is accessed via the pretty Bout du monde promenade, which is entirely pedestrianized. This magnificent castle also has a treasure, namely the famous Apocalypse tapestry which, with its 4.50 meters in height and 100 meters in length (the original being 140 m), is the oldest and most important medieval tapestry. in the world. It consists of six pieces, each with a major character and fourteen biblical scenes taken from the Apocalypse according to Saint John. This tapestry is a unique testimony to the artistic processes of the time that we strongly encourage you to see if you are passing through Angers, a city where life is really good.
Go here to book your entry ticket to Château d'Angers in just a few clicks!
5. The Doué-la-Fontaine Bioparc, a troglodyte animal park
Voted the 2nd most beautiful zoo in Europe, the Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine is the only troglodyte zoo in the world and is also committed to the protection of endangered species! More than 1,800 animals have found an exceptional natural setting to live at their own pace in XXL spaces between lush vegetation, waterfalls and tunnels carved into the cliffs which will take you from one world to another, in a mineral and plant labyrinth . No training here, it's a spectacle of nature! In 2021, the site was enriched with an African aviary. You will be surprised by the multicolored flashes of bee-eaters, jackdaws, turacos... If you are with family, your children will be able to lavish caresses on the goats and take a walk through the gallery for a face-to-face encounter with the mongooses! New in 2023: the Bioparc lodges which, nestled in the heart of the vegetation, are an ideal base camp for discovering the Bioparc!
6. Visit the Château de Saumur, sub-prefecture of Maine-et-Loire
Symbol of the city of Saumur, easily accessible by train, and listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, the castle-palace of the Dukes of Anjou (14th and 15th centuries ) is the last example of the princely buildings erected by the dynasty Valois. It offers a remarkable panorama of the city, the Loire and its valley. King René, an emblematic figure of Anjou, regularly resided there until his death in 1480. From the 16th century , the city's governors succeeded one another, then the monument became a prison widely used by the British Navy! It subsequently served as an arms and ammunition depot during the Restoration (1814-1830), before being classified as a Historic Monument and being open to the public. The castle houses the Museum of Decorative Arts and Horses where you can see one of the most beautiful collections of earthenware in the country as well as a space dedicated to horse harnessing bringing together old equestrian pieces, engravings, veterinary works and farriery.
7. Wander in the Chandelais national forest
Exploited for centuries and managed by the National Forestry Office, the Chandelais forest massif is the most remarkable in Anjou. Of the great Angevin forests, only a few massifs remain, including the Chandelais forest which extends over more than 1,034 hectares, mainly composed of oaks and beeches. In the 15th century , King René practiced hunting there, close to his residence in Baugé.
Today, there are the most remarkable trees in Anjou, sessile oaks and beeches, around fifty species of mushrooms and remarkable forest fauna. This forest offers numerous hiking, cycling and horseback trails: 80 kilometers in total! Something to delight lovers of large green spaces. And for your stops, several equipped picnic areas are at your disposal.
8. Discover the world of Cadre Noir de Saumur
World-renowned for its equestrian school and its exceptional shows, the Cadre Noir de Saumur is a unique school in France which was created in 1825. It was in the 16th century that the first riding academy saw the light of day. During the 17th century , the teaching methods were refined to become the Saumur method used by the squires of the Cadre Noir. The latter contribute to the influence of traditional French horse riding, listed as a UNESCO heritage site, in France and abroad. Allow around an hour to discover this exceptional site with the large riding school, the stables and the saddlery. For fans of equestrian shows, do not hesitate to reserve your seats for the “Matinales” , these one-hour public performances spread over around thirty dates from March to November. If you prefer to attend a horse show, the galas will delight you! These take place in Saumur and around the world.
9. Wander through the troglodyte village of Rochemenier near Saumur
The village of Rochemenier is one of the highlights of tourism in Anjou, the town having grown since its small heritage was renovated. Don't miss out on seeing its washhouse, its windmill, the ruins of the Varanne church – which was destroyed by the Protestants in the 16th century – and the pretty little Sainte-Madeleine-et-Saint-Jean church. . But the unmissable visit to make is that of the Museum of the troglodyte village of Rochemenier spread over 1 hectare which invites you to discover the visitable underground passages of the village. You will discover a beautiful troglodyte complex made up of two old troglodyte farms on the plain with their living rooms and outbuildings dug into the rock, an underground chapel, dug in the 13th century , a henhouse... In summer, don't miss the different activities offered, in particular the informative and fun conferences which revisit the village.
10. Go underground in La Mine Bleue, an unusual activity to do in Anjou
If you are looking for an activity to do in Anjou, you have come to the right place. The guided tour of the Mine Bleue galleries invites you on a journey through time into the heart of an old mining site in Anjou directly linked to the industrial area of the last two centuries. After a descent of 126 meters underground, you will immediately be put in the mood by boarding a small train. Along the way, you can see some characters represented by mannequins. Then, the visit takes place on foot and the history of the mine and the miners is told by a guide who will then introduce you to the origin of slate, the mining techniques and an overview of real working conditions. in the mines. Remember to bring comfortable shoes and warm clothes (13°C underground).
11. Visit the shoe trades museum near Cholet
The Shoe Trades Museum is the only museum in France dedicated to this world. Located in a former factory, it retraces the 130 years of history of this essential accessory which revolutionized the Cholet industry. Within this museum, you will find four major worlds which will retrace the history of shoes and the secrets of their artisanal and industrial manufacturing: clog making and shoemaking, leather and skins, industry and shoe collections . You can even see machines still in operation. Videos and demonstrations pepper the visit and will show you unusual models, astonishing tools and machines as well as all the steps necessary to make a shoe.
12. Discover the Parc Oriental de Maulévrier
Known to be the largest Japanese garden in Europe (29 ha), the Parc Oriental de Maulévrier is a truly magnificent place with a greenhouse, tea room and point of sale for bonsai and exotic plants under the greenhouse. Built at the end of the 19th century by an architect keen on orientalism, it invites you to contemplate its lush vegetation which brings together nearly 600 exotic species worked according to Japanese landscape codes. It is an ideal place to stroll and get some fresh air among its magical islands, its alternations of waterfalls and its peaceful expanses following the river which crosses the park and flows under the bridges, including the emblematic red bridge . Illuminated at night by the reflections of Japanese lanterns, it gains even more splendor. If you plan to go with your family, don't hesitate to ask for the booklet specially designed for children which contains puzzles and games. There are also a bunch of activities organized throughout the year as well as Japanese archery at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
13. Go back in time at Vieille Cour Castle in Oudon
Passionate about History? You are in the right place. Located in Oudon, next to Ancenis, the Château de Vieille Cour is a medieval fortified castle in ruins built during the 13th century by the Châteaugiron family and whose history is linked to that of Oudon and more broadly to the History of France through its former owners (families of Malestroit, Bellay, Montmorency, Bourbon-Condé). It was dismantled in 1392 by Alain de Malestroit who obtained authorization from the Duke of Brittany to build the current Oudon castle (in return, he had to demolish that of Vieille-Cour). Located on a steep hillside overlooking Le Havre, the current remains that you can see are surrounded by a moat and include a lower courtyard, the walls of a double drawbridge, a high courtyard and a large stately hall, with the high gable an imposing fireplace, surrounded by three other rooms. The castle now opens its doors during European Heritage Days and if you come with your children, you can even visit on the back of a donkey!
Tip from Petit Futé: during your visit, ask the owner to tell you the legend of the bridge of the headless men located right next door... Thrills guaranteed!
14. A bucolic stroll in St-Florent-le-Vieil near Ancenis in Maine-et-Loire
Located on the banks of the Loire, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil is a small town of character, rich in heritage and culture. It is, in history, recognized as a high place of the Vendée wars. Among the unmissable visits to Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, we recommend that you go see its abbey as well as its splendid 17th century abbey church where you can see the tomb of the Vendée general Bonchamps. The latter is known for having obtained the pardon of 5,000 Republican prisoners locked in the abbey walls, whom the general staff and the Vendée fighters wanted to massacre. Among them was the father of the sculptor David d'Angers who, in 1817, decided to immortalize the general's magnanimous gesture with this sculpture.
Continue your journey and stroll on the slopes of Mont Glonne, admire the view over the Loire valley, stroll through the charming streets, pass in front of the house of the writer Julien Gracq and sit on the terrace to enjoy a glass of local wine (Muscadet, Rosé de Loire, Gamay, Anjou red...)
15. Go see the ruins of Du Bellay castle in Liré
Located in Liré, the Château de la Turmelière is the birthplace of the famous poet Joachim Du Bellay. Does the name Liré mean something to you? It's normal ! Du Bellay evokes his famous village which he misses so much in the famous poem Happy who like Ulysses which you undoubtedly learned at school!
So, go to Liré where you will have to leave the town to reach the Turmelière estate which is accessible free of charge and is ideal for a stroll in its 45 hectare park. You will first discover the current castle built in 1887 but you will have to continue your route behind this building, and go down a little below to reach the ruins, hidden by the trees, of the very first castle of La Turmelière, ancient Du Bellay family manor and birthplace of the poet. Take the time to stand in front of these centuries-old remains, contemplate these hilly and wooded landscapes and we bet that you will more easily understand the love that Joachim Du Bellay had for his beloved landscapes on the banks of the Loire.
And as a reminder, if you no longer remember the poem we are talking about ;)
Happy who, like Ulysses, made a beautiful journey,
Or like Cestuy-la who conquered the fleece,
And then returned, full of use and reason,
!To live between his parents the rest of his age
When will I see again, alas, my little village
Smoking the chimney, and in what season
Will I see again the enclosure of my poor house,
?Which is a province to me, and much more
More pleases me the residence that my ancestors built,
Than Roman palaces with bold fronts,
More than hard marble pleases me fine slate:
More my Gallic Dormouse than the Latin Tiber,
More my little Liré than the Palatine Hill,
And more than the sea air the Angevin sweetness.
Joachim DuBellay