Angers France | Tramways and tapestries

Historic connections abound along the Loire and Angers in the Marne-et-Loire department, a culturally rich and historic town, is proud of its Plantagenet history which joined French and English interests in the Middle Ages – and it’s a great place to spend a weekend.

Pedalling gently along the traffic-free dedicated cycle route that runs along the tranquil banks of the broad Loire, France’s longest river, is such a pleasure. It’s a favoured locale for Brits – both expats and visitors – for the Anglo-French connection runs deep in this beautiful region, nicknamed ‘The Garden of France,’ where England’s kings and queens once ruled in their concurrent role as Dukes of Normandy. The British and the French are two nations separated by a common history. Many British families have roots in France, from the Norman Conquest to the mass influx of Huguenots fleeing the wars of religion and the current flood of young Frenchmen and women employed in the City. And wherever you wander in Angers and its environs, the ghosts of this shared Anglo-French past will follow your footsteps.

What to see and do in Angers

For a city so immersed in royal visits and affairs of state, it’s no surprise that, besides a mighty castle, Angers has a vibrant and richly endowed museum district. Must-sees include the Maison Bleue and the Galerie David D’Angers, with its vast collection of monumental 19th Century sculptures by the renowned local artist craftsman, as well as the imposing Collegiale St-Martin church, which itself dates back to the pre 1000 AD Carolingian period and is built over now excavated older buildings from the end of the Roman Empire.

Besides the fortress, which holds the spectacular Apocalypse tapestry, highlights include a stroll round the very pretty mediaeval old town where cobbled streets are lined with ancient buildings.

Angers is rightly proud of its recently installed tramway system, a short ride on which will take you out to the Terra Botanica, an inspired theme park dedicated to fostering a better understanding of the life of plants – as well as providing a fun day out for all ages. Given Anjou’s role as France’s premier horticultural region, it’s a perfect site and popular for its educational, pleasant and relaxing day out appeal.

A little further afield, the massive seven-storey Chateau Brissac is the country’s tallest castle, built in 1502 and still occupied by the Ducs of Brissac. It stands in the midst of 500 acres of beautiful parkland. Take a bike ride to discover the glorious countryside and follow the Natura2000 riverside trail signs, then take a short detour for a wine tasting at the Domaine du Closel.

Round out your time in Angers with a guided tour of the Espace Cointreau distillery where the delicious Cointreau liqueur has been made for the past 130 years and where you’ll learn the art of cocktail making (with a tasting!).

There’s also the fascinating volunteer-run Musée Régional de L”Air located just a few steps across from the Angers Airport terminal. Aviation has a long history in the Anjou region, a fact lovingly documented with photographs, documents and an amazing collection of more than 40 restored and replica aeroplanes, including a to scale model of the glider that was built in the late 1800s by local inventor Chanute – a flying machine that inspired the Wright brothers’ design. You can also inspect the actual plane in which René Gasnier made the first powered flight in Anjou, in 1908.

Where to eat in Angers

Le Mail is a friendly contemporary brasserie overlooking the flowerbeds, water basins, streams and birds of the Jardin du Mail.

Decorated in 15^th Century François 1er style the Hotel D’Anjou’s La Salamandre restaurant offers a refined slant on traditional French regional cooking.

Starring local produce and wines in its inventive high quality cuisine, Le Relais (www. Lerelaisangers.fr) is one of Angers’ leading gourmet restaurants.