Slate Museum, Trélazé
Musée de l'Ardoise (Ardoisières de Trélazé)
The source of Angers' black roofing slate, where former miners demonstrate on-site how slate is split, and where you can learn where the castle's black stripes come from.
Angers is known as the 'Black City,' because the castle and the black slate roofs of the old town all come from the quarries of Trélazé to the east of the city, where mining has continued for centuries. The Slate Museum occupies the former quarry and displays mining tools, mine models and the daily life of miners. The highlight is retired miners demonstrating the 'fendeur' technique of splitting rock into thin roof tiles. It is not large and takes about an hour. Opening seasons are limited, so check the official website before you go.
Opening hours
Approx. Jun–Sep, afternoons only (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Carré Cointreau
- Jardin des Plantes d'Angers
- Collégiale Saint-Martin
- Logis Pincé
- Maison d'Adam
- Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Angers
- Angers Cathedral (Saint-Maurice)
- Galerie David d'Angers