Angers Tourist Office has a suggestion for you: an entry ticket for 6,000 years of epic history and unique heritage, to enjoy at your own pace. Is it a deal? Let the story begin...
From the Neolithic to ancient Rome : excavation time
The history of the town starts well before the Dukes of Anjou! In 1997, a team of archaeologists worked for several weeks on the site of Château d'Angers. Excavating the count’s palace had an incredible discovery in store for them: a Neolithic cairn housing a series of burial chambers. Prehistory in its purest form and a wonderful reason to celebrate for the whole team.
Excavations in the 1990s saw numerous treasures emerge from the ground, such as a Gallic oppidum and Roman temple, witnessing ancient occupations of the region. These remains are visible during your visit to the château, so head for the archaeological zone to enjoy them!
9th century : longships and foghorns
This time, the threat came from the north and arrived by boat. More determined than ever, the Vikings took Angers and forced the King of France, Charles II, to install a count there to maintain order. On its rocky promontory, the first stone of Château d’Angers was laid.
12th century : dynasty and power games
Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine, names that mean something to you? Having become kings of England, the Plantagenets reigned over Anjou and established their power there. Under their influence, a superb count's palace was born. The château before the château! Its impressive remains are now open to the public. A must-visit site.
13th century : torn between France and England
The object of all desires, Anjou found itself torn between the kingdom of France and that of England. Victory for France in 1206. Fearing a resumption of hostilities, Queen Blanche of Castille, then in power, built what would become the future Château d’Angers. 17 towers, a chapel and a hanging garden: the project promised to be massive.
From the 14th century : luxury, calm and exquisite pleasure
Now settled on site, the Dukes of Anjou let their love of art, literature and architecture flourish, like the enormous Tapestry of the Apocalypse and its 103 metres of virtuoso storytelling. A taste for the good life and culture that would forever shape the destiny of Angers.
16th century : déclin et renaissance
Decline and rebirth Abandoned to once again become a simple royal garnison, Château d’Angers was then threatened by Henry III with being simply razed to the ground. Its governor, Donadieu de Puycharic, prevented him from doing so to redevelop the building and give it the appearance we’re now familiar with.
