Château d'Angers & Apocalypse Tapestry
Château d'Angers / Tenture de l'Apocalypse
A 13th-century Angevin royal castle ringed by 17 round towers in black-and-white stripes. Inside is the Apocalypse Tapestry, the largest surviving medieval tapestry in the world.
The Château d'Angers was built by Louis IX in the 1230s. Its roughly 660-meter wall is built of alternating bands of black slate and white limestone, and 17 round towers give it a commanding presence. The moat is now a French garden and vineyard. A dedicated gallery displays the 14th-century Apocalypse Tapestry, which survives at about 100 meters in length, with more than 70 scenes depicting the Book of Revelation. It is a treasure of medieval art. Visitors can walk the ramparts for views over the Maine River and the old town, and the inner courtyard holds royal residences and a small chapel. Admission is about €13, and an audio guide is recommended. It is about a 15-minute walk from the train station.
Opening hours
May–August 10:00–18:30; September–April 10:00–17:30 (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Galerie David d'Angers
- Angers Cathedral (Saint-Maurice)
- Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Angers
- Maison d'Adam
- La Doutre
- Collégiale Saint-Martin
- Musée Jean-Lurçat (Hôpital Saint-Jean)
- Logis Pincé