A brief history of Château d’Angers

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an entry ticket for 6,000 years of epic history and unique heritage, to enjoy at your own pace. Is it a deal? Let the story begin…

From the Neolithic to Ancient Rome

Excavation time

The history of the town starts well before the Dukes of Anjou! In 1997, a team of archaeologists worked for several weeks on the site of Château d’Angers. Excavating the count’s palace had an incredible discovery in store for them: a Neolithic cairn housing a series of burial chambers. Prehistory in its purest form and a wonderful reason to celebrate for the whole team.

Excavations in the 1990s saw numerous treasures emerge from the ground, such as a Gallic oppidum and Roman temple, witnessing ancient occupations of the region. These remains are visible during your visit to the château, so head for the archaeological zone to enjoy them!

©Chapelle Chateau C Francois Lehmann Destination Angers|Francois Lehmann

©Visite Exterieur Chateau C Francois Lehmann Destination Angers|François Lehmann

IXᵉ century

Longships and foghorns

This time, the threat came from the north and arrived by boat. More determined than ever, the Vikings took Angers and forced the King of France, Charles II, to install a count there to maintain order.

On its rocky promontory, the first stone of Château d’Angers was laid.

©Remains of the wall of the great hall|Les Conteurs

©Chateau Angers Famille C Les Conteurs|Les Conteurs

©Entrée du Château d'Angers|Alexandre Lamoureux

XIIᵉ century

dynasty and power games

Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine, names that mean something to you? Having become kings of England, the Plantagenets reigned over Anjou and established their power there. Under their influence, a superb count’s palace was born. The château before the château! Its impressive remains are now open to the public. A must-visit site.

XIIIᵉ century

Torn between France and England

The object of all desires, Anjou found itself torn between the kingdom of France and that of England. Victory for France in 1206. Fearing a resumption of hostilities, Queen Blanche of Castille, then in power, built what would become the future Château d’Angers. 17 towers, a chapel and a hanging garden: the project promised to be massive.

From the XIVᵉ century onwards

Luxury, calm and exquisite pleasure

Now settled on site, the Dukes of Anjou let their love of art, literature and architecture flourish, like the enormous Tapestry of the Apocalypse and its 103 metres of virtuoso storytelling. A taste for the good life and culture that would forever shape the destiny of Angers.

©Angers castle and its ramparts |Romain Bassenne

XVIᵉ century

Decline and rebirth

Abandoned to once again become a simple royal garnison, Château d’Angers was then threatened by Henry III with being simply razed to the ground. Its governor, Donadieu de Puycharic, prevented him from doing so to redevelop the building and give it the appearance we’re now familiar with.