At the height of summer, despite the famous mildness of Anjou, there’s no shortage of hot spells. Whether you’re an Angevin or just passing through for a summer break, here are a few ideas to help you make the most of those hot spells!
Cool walks in Angers
Seeking out the natural coolness of greenery is a very effective way of combating the heat, which is stronger in areas with little vegetation. And that’s just as well, since the city is full of beautiful gardens and parks where you can play, take a siesta, admire the scenery or enjoy a picnic with little effort.
These include the Jardin des Plantes and theArboretum, where you can relax in the shade of tall trees. You can also visit the Parc Balzac on the banks of the Maine, the Parc de l’Etang Saint-Nicolas, the Lac de Maine or head for theIle Saint-Aubin for a stroll along the Maine and Mayenne rivers.
And of course, don’t forget Terra Botanica: a hot day is the perfect time to visit the plant park. There’s nothing like its tall trees, shady plant nooks and crannies and giant misting machine to counter the effects of a heatwave!
Cool off with your feet in the water
If you’re right in the center of town, don’t hesitate to take a stroll along the Promenade Jean Turc, where children and adults alike love the water jets!
When it comes to swimming and other watersports, Angers and the surrounding area offer a host of possibilities, including Lac de Maine, Villevêque beach and Parc des Sablières in Écouflant. Put on your swimsuit and all is well! Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can make a hot day much more pleasant! We recommend Aquavita and Jean Bouin in Angers, La Baleine bleue in Saint-Barthélémy d’Anjou, the Ponts-de-Cé lake or Couzéo in Beaucouzé…
Get active on the water!
Thanks to water-based activities, you can beat the summer heat while discovering a new activity or practicing a new sport! Angers is surrounded by rivers and lakes, so there’s plenty to do. At Lac de Maine, on the Maine, Mayenne, Sarthe or Loir rivers, you’re spoilt for choice: paddle, canoe kayak, electric boat hire, water cruises with Vogue en Maine or Loire Odyssée… Here, cool water is never far away!
Cooling off… with air conditioning!
Air conditioning is a tried-and-tested way to keep out the heat! You can of course take refuge in the cinema, the library or downtown stores, but the air-conditioned place par excellence is the ice rink!
Put on your ice skates for an afternoon at theIcePark in midsummer, and you’re guaranteed a cool break from the sweltering heat. In your program of activities and visits, you can also target places that are naturally cooler, in particular châteaux with thick walls that protect from the heat, such as the Château d’Angers and the underground Château de Brézé, or troglodyte caves near Saumur and Doué la Fontaine, with the village of Turquant or the superb Mystères des faluns site.
Stay hydrated on shady terraces
In hot weather, quenching your thirst is always a good option. During the day and in the evening, shady terraces will welcome you with open arms… There are plenty of them in the town center, at the Jardin du Mail restaurant, in the garden at La Bougeotte or with your feet in the water at Gupta’s, as well as on the banks of rivers in thenearby guinguettes.
And to make both young and old happy, a stop for ice cream is always an excellent idea! La glacerie d’Anjou, les Garçons glaciers, Amorino, le Kiosque à glace… and our favorites Artisans Passionnés, rue Saint-Laud, and Maison Allard, place du Ralliement.
So have you made your choice among these must-see places to find coolness in Angers during the next heatwave?!
