Things to do in The Loire
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Château Royal de Blois
Blois' château and the former royal seat was intended more as an architectural showpiece than a military stronghold, and successive French kings have left their creative mark over the centuries. From the château's huge central courtyard you can view four distinct periods of French architecture: the Gothic Salle des États and original medieval castle; François I's Renaissance north wing (1515–24); the classical west wing (1635–38) constructed under Gaston d'Orléans, brother to Louis XIII; and Louis XII's red-brick Flamboyant Gothic east wing (1498–1503).
The impressive Salle des États Généraux (Estates General Hall, c 1220) has a soaring double barrel-vaulted …
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Cathédrale St-Maurice
Angers' austere, mainly 12th- to 13th-century Cathédrale St-Maurice, in the centre of the historic Quartier de la Cité, has a striking Norman porch and nave (mid-1100s); the latter's three convex vaults, forming a perfect square, are outstanding examples of mid-12th-century Angevin (Plantagenet) vaulting. The stained-glass windows date from the 12th to the 16th centuries. In the 18th century a humungous organ was erected inside the western façade, facing the very baroque high altar (1758).
Long home to the Apocalypse tapestry, the cathedral continues to exhibit religiously-themed tapestries.
reviewed
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Loire Valley Cycle
8 days (Blois)
Visit the vineyards and chateaux of the Loire valley at your own pace.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,590 -
Fine Arts Museum
In the Fine Arts Museum objects illustrating the history of Angers are gorgeously displayed on the ground floor. Upstairs, the paintings - none of them consciousness-changing but many of them excellent - include some compelling Italian works from the first half of the 1800s.
Here you will find the dramatic, Dante-inspired Paolo et Francesca by Jean-August-Dominique Ingres, in which Francesca's elderly and deformed husband, a homicidal look on his face, discovers his wife in the arms of his younger brother Paoli (in one of the two red rooms). Audioguides are being prepared.
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Tenture de l'Apocalypse
The magnificent Tenture de l'Apocalypse is a 101m-long series of 70 tapestries, commissioned by Louis I, Duke of Anjou, in 1375 to illustrate the Revelation to John - the last book of the New Testament. From June to August free guided tours begin at 10:30 and 16:00. There are plans to introduce free audioguides. Tapestry of the Apocalypse at Angers: Front and Back (around €33), available in the gift shop, explains all, scene by scene. Ticket sales end 45 minutes before closing.
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Chateaux of the Loire
8 days (Blois)
A walking adventure to discover the chateaux, vineyards and forests of the Loire Valley.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,290 -
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Auberge Angevine
Wenches and knaves in medieval costume serve up platters of roasted pork and goblets of red wine - and all-you-can-eat fouaces (Loire Valley pitas) - in this themed restaurant that doesn't take itself too seriously. The venue is a cavernous old chapel, with wooden benches and candelabras. A medieval wardrobe is available for adults and kids alike. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights there are jesters and live medieval music - book in advance.
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Loire Valley Cycle - 6 Day
6 days (Blois)
Visit the vineyards and chateaux of the Loire valley at your own pace.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,190 -
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Château d'Angers Fortress
Other than the view, the only good reason to pay to get into the 13th-century Château d'Angers fortress - whose feudal features are, in any case, best admired from outside - is to see the magnificent Tenture de l'Apocalypse (Apocalypse tapestry), a 101m-long series of 70 tapestries commissioned by Louis I, Duke of Anjou in 1375 to illustrate the Revelation to John, the last book of the New Testament.
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Galerie David d'Angers
Larger-than-life sculptures by Angers-born sculptor David d'Angers (1788-1856) are displayed in Galerie David d'Angers, housed in a 12th-century abbey church transformed into contemporary architecture in the early 1980s. The cloister next door leads to a garden overlooked by Nikki de St-Phalle's colourful Serpent Tree, a children's playground (behind the library) and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
reviewed
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Cointreau Museum
At the Cointreau Museum you won't discover the top-secret recipe for the famous orange liqueur - every bottle of which is made right here - but you will find yourself inhaling some pretty intoxicating aromas. The 13:30 tour in July and August is in English. The museum is off the ring road to the east of Angers. By bus, take No 7 from the train station.
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Cathédrale St-Louis
The 17th-century Cathédrale St-Louis, with its lovely multistoreyed bell tower is dramatically floodlit after dark. Most of the stained glass inside was installed by Dutch artist Jan Dibberts in 2000.
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House of Magic
Facing the chateau and dedicated to the all-time great, Blois-born magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin - after whom the escapist Houdini named himself - the Maison de la Magie museum features interactive exhibits and fascinating clocks invented by Robert-Houdin. Be sure not to miss a trick at the magic show.
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Maison d'Adam
Behind the Cathédrale St-Maurice on place Ste-Croix is the Maison d'Adam (c 1500), a half-timbered house on whose ornate façade wooden sculptures run riot. The Tree of Life, on the corner, used to be flanked by Adam and Eve (another lovey-dovey couple can be seen nearby).
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Jean Lurçat Museum of Contemporary Tapestry
Ensconced in the opulent, Gothic-vaulted sick wards of a one-time hospital (1180-1865), the Jean Lurçat Museum of Contemporary Tapestry showcases monumental 20th-century tapestries by Jean Lurçat, Thomas Gleb and others.
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Gardens of the Loire by Bike
8 days (Blois)
Explore the gardens and chateaux of the Loire Valley at handlebar level.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,490 -
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Inishmore
A genuine Irish bar (the patron hails from Roscommon) with football and rugby on the telly and live traditional Irish music on most Fridays at 21:00 or 22:00. A favoured hangout of English-speaking students.
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Le Bouchon Angevin
A French restaurant whose reasonably priced bourgeois cuisine has given it a loyal local following. It has an impressive wine list and serves about 15 wines by the glass. Worth the walk across the river.
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Le Petit Comptoir
A modern, elegant place on two levels whose traditional French cuisine is made only with fresh local ingredients. Considered by some to be Angers' best restaurant.
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Montée St-Maurice
The square in front of the Cathédrale St-Maurice is linked to the river by a monumental staircase, Montée St-Maurice.
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Maison du Vin de l'Anjou
The Maison du Vin de l'Anjou, facing the chateau, is a good place to sample Anjou and Saumur wines.
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Sport ECO
Sport ECO hires bicycles. The tourist office also rents bicycles from June to September.
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