Well worth seeking out, for their novelty value if nothing else are the splendid wood carvings on the timber-framed Maison d’Adam at place Saint-Croix, a listed building that dates from the 16th century.
Nearby, at 38 rue St-Laud, the frontage of Le Boléro, formerly a café and concert hall known as ‘Alcazar’ and dating from 1892, displays the effigies of two young ladies, the oldest examples of art nouveau in Angers.
You can get a map from the tourist office that will suggest an historic route around the city centre, which extends on both sides of the river, and this is ideally to be planned over two or more days rather than in haste.
But there is merit, too, in allowing serendipity and curiosity to be your guide.
There is also a fairly easy circuit, suited to visitors with children or less-abled people, and marked by bronze plaques inserted into the pavement.
Slightly out on a limb, the Jardin du Mail was originally created in the 17th century, but later redesigned, in 1859, to be more typically a French garden. The Jardin des Plantes, however, still has the atmosphere of a small British park, with ponds and a little animal park as well as a children’s play area...a great place to have a family picnic in delightful surroundings.
Angers has culture, heritage and architecture in considerable abundance, and is well worth making the journey to discover...
Above: street views of Angers old town; Right below, the oh so cool bar at Cointreau.