The Château d’Angers is a 13th-century fortress in the centre of Angers, France, built around the famous Apocalypse Tapestry.
The guide was updated in June 2026. The official site now carries a standing heatwave warning: during periods of high heat, the ramparts path can close to visitors. Admission has also settled at a clear two-tier price for 2026, 14 euros in summer and 11 euros the rest of the year. You can book through GetYourGuide to secure your ticket before you travel.
Château d’Angers Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 Promenade du Bout-du-Monde, 49100 Angers, France |
| Hours | 2 May–4 Sept: 10am–6:30pm; 5 Sept–30 Apr: 10am–5:30pm |
| Summer admission (2 May–4 Sept) | €14 |
| Winter admission (5 Sept–30 Apr) | €11 |
| Free admission | Under 18; EU/EEA residents 18–25; visitors with disabilities + 1 carer |
| Nearest tram | Ralliement stop, short walk |
| Typical visit | 1.5–2 hours |
Why book Château d’Angers tickets?
- 🏛️ A fortress never taken by force: 17 towers and 660 metres of ramparts that have stood since the 13th century.
- 🎟️ Free for under-18s: admission is free for every visitor under 18, whatever their nationality.
- 🌿 Stroll the hanging gardens: medieval-style gardens fill the old moat and the ramparts above.
- 📜 See the Apocalypse Tapestry: 103 metres of 14th-century weaving, one of the largest medieval tapestries to survive.
- 💰 Half price in winter: admission drops from €14 to €11 outside the summer season.
Château d’Angers Opening Hours
The Château d’Angers opens at 10am every day. From 2 May to 4 September, it closes at 6.30pm; for the rest of the year, it closes at 5.30pm. On 24 and 31 December, closing moves earlier, to 4.30pm. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing, and the Apocalypse gallery clears 15 minutes before that. The castle is entirely closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Château d’Angers Ticket Prices
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Summer admission (2 May–4 Sept) | €14 |
| Winter admission (5 Sept–30 Apr) | €11 |
| Under 18 | Free |
| EU/EEA residents aged 18–25 | Free |
These are the official admission prices in euros for 2026, set higher in summer and lower for the rest of the year.
Entry is free for everyone under 18, for EU and EEA residents aged 18 to 25, and for visitors with disabilities plus one carer.
Booking in advance through GetYourGuide is worth doing in peak season, when queues can build at the ticket office. A twin ticket covering the castle and the Jean-Lurçat tapestry museum costs €15, and one covering the castle and the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau costs €20 to €24 depending on the season.
Getting to Château d’Angers
By tram or bus: The nearest tram stop is Ralliement; the nearest bus stops are “Château” and “Office du tourisme,” on the Irigo network.
By train: Angers-Saint-Laud station is a 15-minute walk away, with TGV links to Paris, Nantes, Lille, Lyon and Brussels.
By car: The castle sits in a pedestrian zone, so park at Place La Rochefoucauld, a 15-minute walk away, or use a Park and Ride site and take the tram in.
By bike: The castle sits on the Loire à Vélo and Vélo Françette cycle routes; bikes aren’t allowed inside, but parking is available outside the entrance.
Château d’Angers Parking
This French castle sits inside Angers’ pedestrian zone, so there’s no parking at the entrance itself. The nearest free car park is at Place La Rochefoucauld, about 15 minutes’ walk away. Using one of the Park and Ride sites on the edge of town, then taking the tram in, is often the easiest option.
How Long to Spend at Château d’Angers
Most visitors spend around an hour and a half to two hours at the castle, enough time for the ramparts, the gardens and the Apocalypse gallery. Allow longer if a temporary exhibition is running in the royal lodge.
Château d’Angers Accessibility
The castle is only partially accessible to visitors with reduced mobility or strollers, since the site has many steps. The upper floors of the royal lodge open only during temporary exhibitions. A dedicated accessibility service offers tailored tours, including sign language and sensory visits, along with an accessibility map available at the entrance or in advance online.
What to See at Château d’Angers
The Ramparts: Seventeen towers and roughly 660 metres of fortified wall encircle the castle, built under Queen Blanche of Castile in the 13th century. A covered walkway lets visitors walk almost the full circuit, with views over Angers and the Maine river.
The Apocalypse Tapestry: Commissioned by Louis I, Duke of Anjou, in the late 14th century, this 103-metre tapestry illustrates the Book of Revelation across 74 scenes. It’s one of the largest medieval tapestries to survive anywhere in the world.
The Royal Lodge: Home to the dukes of Anjou in the 14th and 15th centuries, this Gothic residence saw the birth of René d’Anjou in 1409. Its upper floors open only when a temporary exhibition is running.
The Gardens: A medieval-style garden fills the old moat, planted with herbs, vegetables and roses true to 14th-century planting. Higher up, the hanging gardens along the ramparts add lilies, rose bushes and a modern rose collection.
The Chapel: Built for the dukes of Anjou in the early 15th century, this Gothic chapel keeps a steady 19 degrees year-round to protect its decoration.
Château d’Angers Practical Visitor Tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visit on the first Sunday of certain months | Admission is free on the first Sunday of November, December, January, February and March. |
| Book ahead in summer | Book tickets in advance through GetYourGuide to avoid the ticket office queue. |
| Check the heatwave notice before you go | The ramparts path can close to visitors during periods of extreme heat. |
| Travel light | There’s no luggage storage, and large suitcases aren’t allowed inside. |
| Combine it with Azay-le-Rideau | A twin ticket covers both castles for one year, useful if you’re touring the Loire. |
Château d’Angers FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is admission free for children? | Yes, for everyone under 18, regardless of nationality. |
| Does the castle close in extreme heat? | The ramparts path can close during heatwaves; the rest of the castle stays open. |
| How long does a visit take? | Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours; allow longer for a temporary exhibition. |
| Is the castle accessible for wheelchairs and strollers? | Only partially, due to the number of steps; a dedicated accessibility service offers tailored visits. |
| Can I park near the entrance? | No. The castle sits in a pedestrian zone; the nearest free car park is a 15-minute walk away. |
Things to Do Near Château d’Angers
Musée Jean-Lurçat et de la Tapisserie Contemporaine: A short walk away in a former hospital, this museum displays Jean Lurçat’s modern tapestry masterpiece, Le Chant du Monde.
Angers Cathedral: The city’s Gothic cathedral, Saint-Maurice, sits a short walk from the castle, with striking 12th-century stained glass.
La Doutre district: Angers’ old quarter, just across the river, is filled with half-timbered houses and small squares.
Terra Botanica: A short drive from the centre, this botanical theme park covers plant life from around the world.
The Maine riverside: A walking and cycling path runs along the river below the castle walls, good for an easy stroll.
What to Visit Tomorrow Near Château d’Angers
Château de Brissac: About 20 minutes’ drive away, this is the tallest château in France, still home to the Duke of Brissac’s family.
Château de Saumur: Around 45 minutes’ drive away, this fairy-tale château sits on a hill overlooking the Loire.
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau: About an hour’s drive away, this moated Renaissance château is covered by the twin ticket sold with Angers.
Château de Chambord: Roughly 90 minutes’ drive away, this is the largest château in the Loire Valley, built for King François I.
Château de Chenonceau: Also about 90 minutes’ drive away, this is the only Loire château built directly across a river, the Cher.
More France travel
Other France travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- French castle guides: Foix Castle near Toulouse and Chateau de Castelnaud in the Dordogne.
- Loire Valley castle guides: Chenonceau Castle, the Chateau de Bouges, the Chateau Royal d’Amboise, the Chateau de Saumur and Chambord Castle.
- Important visitor information for Chateau de Compiegne and Chateau de Pierrefonds in Hauts-de-France.
- Visitor guides for National Monuments around Paris: The Chateau de Vincennes, the Chateau de Maisons and Villa Savoye.
