Issue No. 12

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.
Above: street views of
Angers old town; Right
below, the oh so cool bar at
Cointreau.
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...