Chateau d’Angers – House of Apocalypse Tapestry (History & Travel Tips)

-

Chateau d’Angers is a breathtaking symbol of Medieval French architecture. It is a defensive fortress with a rich history that now houses some of the oldest European tapestries, artwork, and relics. You should definitely pay a visit to this mesmerizing museum to bask in the essence of the golden period of the French renaissance and enjoy beautiful views of Angers city. Here’s everything you need to know:

Chateau d’Angers has never been able to be captured by any occupying force in history due to its great fortitude and strong structure. 

The front gateway of Chateau d'Angers with two trees in the foreground.
The front gateway of Chateau d’Angers. Fortified Gateway Chateau d’Angers flickr photo by Bill Stanley shared under a Creative Commons (BY-ND) license

Frequently Asked Questions

FOR HISTORY | BEAUTIFUL IMAGES | INTERESTING FACTS | TRAVEL TIPS

Early History

Origins (9th century)

The earliest structure at the location was constructed by the Counts of Anjou in the 9th century. The construction was authorized by the Bishop of Angers. In the 12th century, the castle came to be a part of the Angevin empire which belonged to the Plantagenet Kings of England. 

A look at the formidable structure of Chateau d’Angers with the garden.
A look at the formidable structure of Chateau d’Angers .

Construction of the Castle (13th Century)

In the early 13th century, the area was captured by Philip II. Blanche of Castile and her son Louis IX (also known as St. Louis) commissioned the construction of the castle as a fortress in Angers due to the site’s strategic location in terms of defense. The location was a settlement of the Romans back then. The construction of the castle cost almost an entire percent of the royal revenue at that time. 

An old illustration of Chateau d’Angers
An old illustration of Chateau d’Angers . Chateau d’Angers flickr photo by seriykotik1970 shared with no copyright restrictions using Creative Commons Public Domain Mark (PDM)

Transfer of Power and Modifications (14th-16th Century)

King John II was in possession of the castle in the 14th century. He passed it on to his second son Louis in 1352, who went on to become the Count of Anjou. Louis had the castle revamped and funded Flemish artist Hennequin de Bruges and French weaver Nicolas Bataille to paint the renowned Apocalypse Tapestry in the year 1373.

Later, Louis II and Yolande d’Aragon modified the castle and added royal apartments as well as a chapel to the building. King Charles VII, years before rising to the royal status, took refuge in the castle at the beginning of the 15th century after having to escape Paris. 

A sketch of King John II
A sketch of King John II

The palace was restored to be a defensive fortress in 1562 by Catherine de’ Medici. Her son Henry III, however, lowered the altitude of the towers and removed the walls’ embankments, and used the stones from the castle to develop streets and other infrastructure in the village of Angers. He still maintained some of the fortress’ defensive properties by making the castle a military camp and placing artillery on the terraces of the castle, due to the looming threat of an attack from the Huguenots.

The defensive walls of Chateau d’Angers
The defensive walls of Chateau d’Angers.

18th Century Onwards

By the end of the 18th century, the castle was a well-established military garrison. During the French revolution, the castle’s sturdy structure and strong defense system were able to withstand heavy cannon attacks carried out by the Vendean army, forcing the army to give up. 

In the 19th century, a military training center was founded inside the castle to train young soldiers about war strategies. A well-known alumni of the Military Academy of Angers was Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, who is renowned for having participated in the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte’s army in the Battle of Waterloo. Later the academy was shifted from there and the castle was used as a prison, military barracks, and a store for gunpowder. 

An old images of Chateau d’Angers far view.
An old image of Chateau d’Angers .

Current Times

During WW I and II, the castle was used as an armory. It underwent severe damage during the second world war when an attack by the Nazis caused the ammunition reserve located in the castle to blow up.

Today, the castle is owned by the city of Angers and is open to the public as a historical monument and museum, containing the earliest and biggest collection of tapestries from the medieval ages. It welcomes quite a crowd of visitors each day. 

An evening view of the fortress
An evening view of the fortress.

Interesting Chateau d’Angers Facts

  • The external wall of the castle has a thickness of 3 meters (3.25 yards) and a horizontal length of around 660 meters (772 yards, or just under half a mile).
  • The outer wall is protected by seventeen huge towers.
  • Chateau d’Angers has never been able to be captured by any occupying force in history due to its great fortitude and strong structure. 
  • The castle covers 20,000 square metres (23,920 square yards) of area. 
  • The Tour du Moulin is the sole tower of the castle which retains its original altitude to this day. The rest were cut down to utilise the material for infrastructure. 
  • The Apocalypse Tapestry inside the chateau measures 140 meters (153 yards) in length.
  • The formidable structure of the castle can be attributed to the fact that the main construction material used in the fort is the Grey Anjou Schist, a strong metamorphic rock consisting of various minerals.
  • Wheelchair access and Braille display is available as needed. 

Visiting Chateau d’Angers – Tips and Tricks

Chateau d’Angers is a unique look into history, both for its unusual architectural stripes and its rich collection of historic artifacts. It is well worth your time to make a visit, let’s look at some helpful details:

The city gate of Château d'Angers with the bridge.
The city gate of Château d’Angers. Château d’Angers flickr photo by Julien Maury shared with no copyright restrictions using Creative Commons Public Domain Mark (PDM)

How to get to Chateau d’Angers?

From Paris, you can get to the castle by car, train, or bus. The cheapest option is going by bus, which would take you around 3 hours 41 minutes and cost you between €12 and €20 ($14-$24 USD). The site is an 11-minute walk from the Bercy Seine bus station. 

Via train is the fastest option if you are looking to save traveling time. The journey would take you around 1 hour 44 minutes and cost you between €55 and €72 ($65-$85 USD). The site is a 14-minute walk from the train station. 

You can also take a car through Rideshare, which would cost you between €17 and €19 ($20-$22 USD), it would take you about 3 hours 36 minutes to reach the site. 

Ticket Prices, Visiting Hours & Travel Tips

Information was checked & updated on October 9, 2023.

For a self-guided tour, the individual rate is €9.50 ($11 USD). If you wish to be aided by an audio guide, it would require an additional ticket costing €3.00 ($4 USD). You can also get an informational book called Heritage Itinerary and a journal of the exhibition called “Of Sulfur and Fire” for €7.60 ($9 USD) and €2.85 ($4 USD) respectively.

Architecture students, unemployed individuals, European citizens between the ages of 18 and 25, artists associated with Maison des Artistes or Association Internationale des Arts Plastiques, as well as disabled people can enter without a fee. Concessions are offered to groups of 20 people or more and 18 to 25-year-olds. 

You can find updated information on the official website of the National Monuments Center, here.

A closer look of the beautiful garden at château d’Angers.
A closer look of the beautiful garden at château d’Angers. Château d’Angers flickr photo by Julien Maury shared with no copyright restrictions using Creative Commons Public Domain Mark (PDM)

How Long Will It Take to Tour Around?

A self-guided tour should take you a little over an hour, slightly longer if you take the audio guide for touring.

Some words of advice and tips: 

  • Book your ticket online in advance to reserve your spot. 
  • Visitors aged 12 and over are required to have European Union-issued Digital COVID Certificates.
  • Do take some time to explore the colorful, flowery garden outside the castle, as it is quite the sight.
  • Audio guides and educational books are available for visitors for an immersive and enlightening experience.
  • Do take a moment to enjoy the view of the Maine river and the city of Angers from the ramparts of the castle.

Quick Video Tour of The Main Chateau d’Angers Areas

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE EPIC HISTORY
Zunaira Ghazal
Zunaira Ghazal
Zunaira is an architect and designer on paper, but a writer at heart. She’s got a Bachelors in Architecture and a passion for traveling, both of which combine in her writings about timeworn castles and fortresses that have withstood the tests of time and stand proud to this day.

Follow Us

26,021FansLike
4,329FollowersFollow
31FollowersFollow