Angers

The Pont de la Haute-Chaîne in Angers crosses the Maine north of the Old Town. Its name commemorates a chain used to control river traffic in the Middle Ages. Today's bridge is a modern structure, connecting the La Doutre district with the city centre, and nearby is the Musée Jean Lurçat. From the bridge, you look downstream at the Old Town and the cathedral towers. Our tip: Combine a visit to the bridge with a stroll along the Maine's banks and through La Doutre.

The Musée Jean Lurçat in Angers is housed within the historic walls of the former Hôpital Saint-Jean, an impressive 12th-century Romanesque building. Here you'll find the monumental tapestry series "Le Chant du Monde" by Jean Lurçat, a masterpiece of modern tapestry art. Lurçat created this work as a contemporary response to the famous Apocalypse Tapestry, which can also be seen in Angers. The ten large-format tapestries, created between 1957 and 1966, explore the horrors of the atomic age and the hope for a better future. You'll experience a fascinating symbiosis of medieval architecture and modern art. Our Tip: Take your time to explore both the details of the tapestries and the architectural features of the hospital. Visit the museum preferably in the morning to best enjoy the tranquility and special light in the halls and to avoid the crowds.

The Galerie David d'Angers displays the work of Angers-born sculptor Pierre-Jean David, known as David d'Angers. It is housed in the former 13th-century Abbey Church of Toussaint, whose collapsed vault was replaced by a glass roof during restoration in the 1980s. On display are primarily plaster models of his sculptures, from monumental figures to busts and medallions of renowned contemporaries. The daylight streaming through the glass roof effectively highlights the forms. Our tip: Come on a bright morning; the light in the nave is most striking then.

The Jardin des plantes d'Angers is a city park located in the east of the city center. It originated in the late 18th century as a botanical garden and was converted into a landscape park in the 19th century. Across approximately four hectares, you'll find old trees, flowerbeds, lawns, and a pond with a water feature. On its edge stands the Romanesque church Saint-Samson. A practical tip: Most blooms appear in spring and early summer; early mornings are the quietest.

The Collégiale Saint-Martin in Angers is one of the city's oldest surviving sacred buildings. On the site of a Merovingian burial ground, a collegiate church emerged in Carolingian times, later extended in Romanesque and Gothic styles. After extensive restoration, it has been open to visitors since 2006, displaying unearthed foundations and structural elements from several periods. Inside, there are also sculptures from churches of Anjou on display. Our Tip: Come in the morning when it's quiet and the light falls into the choir.