Anjou

Anjou is a historic province in western France, located in the Loire Valley. Its geographical core centers on Angers, the city that has long served as its capital, and the historic area largely corresponds to the modern department of Maine-et-Loire, within the Pays de la Loire region. The Loire River and its fertile valleys shape the landscape, which is known for agriculture, wine terroirs, and châteaux.

Historically, Anjou rose as a powerful county in the medieval period. The Counts of Anjou established a strong power base, and Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, married Empress Matilda, linking Anjou to the rise of the Plantagenet dynasty and the Angevin Empire, which at its height encompassed parts of England and western France. Over the 15th century, control of Anjou gradually came under the French crown, and the region was later integrated into the kingdom’s administrative structure.

Culturally and economically, Anjou is associated with wine and fruit production. It lies within the Loire Valley wine region, notably the Anjou-Saumur and Côteaux du Layon subregions, which produce Chenin Blanc wines, including notable sweet varieties. The region is also linked to the Beurré d'Anjou pear, a long-standing cultivar named after Anjou. The Château d'Angers is a prominent medieval fortress and a major cultural landmark, reflecting the region’s historical significance.

In modern times, the name Anjou survives primarily in historical and cultural contexts. Today’s administrative map places the historic area within Maine-et-Loire, part of the Pays de la Loire region. The legacy of Anjou remains evident in its wine, horticulture, architecture, and the enduring association with Angers.