angers

Angers is a city and commune in western France, the prefecture of the Maine-et-Loire department in the Pays de la Loire region. It lies on the Loire River, near its confluence with the Maine, about 250 kilometers southwest of Paris. Angers is the historic capital of the former province of Anjou.

Founded in the medieval period, Angers grew as a political and cultural center of Anjou and later the Plantagenet territories. It remained an important fortress and seat of regional authority through the Middle Ages and into early modern times. The city preserves a substantial medieval core and several monuments from that era.

One of Angers’ principal landmarks is the Château d’Angers, a large 13th-century fortress that houses the Apocalypse Tapestry, a 14th-century cycle illustrating the Book of Revelation. Other notable sites include the Saint-Maurice Cathedral, the Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Angers, and expansive botanical gardens. The city supports a vibrant cultural life with museums, theaters, and festivals.

Angers is a university town with the University of Angers, a major center of higher education and research. Its economy combines education and research with services, industry, and agriculture-related activities in the surrounding region. The city is connected by rail and road and is served by Angers Loire Airport; a tram network links central districts and surrounding neighborhoods.