ANGERS, capital of the ancient county of Anjou, stands majestically on the banks of the Maine, which feeds the Loire just south of the city with the waters of the Mayenne, Sarthe and Loir rivers. Long known as "Black Angers" from the gloomy-colored slate and stone quarried here since the ninth century, it is actually a very pretty, friendly town, with a lively atmosphere. The overriding reason for coming here is to see its two stunning prize tapestry series, the fourteenth-century Apocalypse and the twentieth-century Chant du Monde.
The City
Your lasting impression of Angers will be of the château, an impressive, sturdy fortress by the river, its moat now filled with striking formal flower arrangements and softened by trees. From here, it's just a fifteen-minute stroll east to the cathedral and its entourage of several smaller churches and museums.
Across the pont Verdun from the château is the suburb of La Doutre, where the Hôpital St-Jean houses the modern response to the castle's Apocalypse tapestry, Le Chant du Monde . Further out in the suburbs is a rash of interesting museums, easily reached by bus, exalting everything from early aeroplanes to Cointreau and communication methods.
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