Châteaux to visit near Angers
Angers is a gateway to the châteaux of Anjou. Here are the ones we recommend, from nearest to furthest, with the driving time from the city centre.
Updated 17 October 2026
Angers sits at the gateway to the Loire Valley and Anjou, a region with châteaux by the dozen. Many are still lived in and are shown by their owners or guides. Here is our selection, ordered by driving time from central Angers. Most open from spring to autumn: always check opening hours before you set off.
Château du Plessis-Macé (about 20 minutes)
North-west of Angers, Plessis-Macé is a former fortress turned into a country residence at the end of the Middle Ages. It has kept its keep, its moats and an elegant balcony gallery in the Flamboyant Gothic style. A short, pleasant visit, ideal for half a day.
Château du Plessis-Bourré (about 25 minutes)
North of Angers, Plessis-Bourré was built in the 15th century for Jean Bourré, finance minister to Louis XI. With its white towers reflected in very wide moats and its drawbridge, it looks like a fairy-tale castle. Inside, don’t miss the painted ceiling of the guard room, covered in allegorical scenes.
Château de Brissac (about 25 minutes)
South-east of Angers, Brissac is the tallest château in France: seven floors and more than 200 rooms. It still belongs to the Brissac family and is visited with a guide, who tells five centuries of family history. The estate also makes wine, in the heart of the Aubance vineyards.
Château de Serrant (about 25 minutes)
West of Angers, in Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Serrant blends Renaissance and classical architecture, surrounded by moats. Its furnished rooms are remarkable, and its library holds about 12,000 volumes. Special tours of the library and archives run on some summer days.
Château de Montgeoffroy (about 30 minutes)
East of Angers, in Mazé, Montgeoffroy is an 18th-century château that has stayed in the same family and kept its period furniture and decoration. It is a rare chance to see an Enlightenment-era house as it was lived in.
Château de Saumur (about 50 minutes)
Rising above the Loire, the Château de Saumur is one of the best-known silhouettes in the Loire Valley. Make a day of it to explore the town, its cellars dug into the tuffeau stone and its wines, and the national riding school, home of the Cadre Noir. Saumur can also be reached by train from Angers.
Château de Brézé (about 55 minutes)
South of Saumur, Brézé hides a vast underground network dug into the tuffeau beneath its Renaissance château, and dry moats among the deepest in Europe. A surprising visit to combine with Saumur.
Bonus: Fontevraud Royal Abbey (about an hour)
It isn’t a château, but it is one of Anjou’s must-sees. Fontevraud Abbey holds the tomb effigies of the Plantagenets, including Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II and Richard the Lionheart. It combines easily with Saumur and Brézé.
Our day-trip ideas
- Half a day to the north: Plessis-Macé, then Plessis-Bourré.
- A day to the east: Brissac in the morning, Montgeoffroy in the afternoon, and a tasting in the Aubance vineyards.
- A day along the Loire: Saumur, Brézé and Fontevraud.
Setting off from Angers
Our flats Le Cocon Angevin and Coup de cœur Angevin are in central Angers, a few minutes from the main roads. For the rest of your stay, see our guide to Angers in 2 days.
Frequently asked questions
Which château should I visit near Angers?
For a first visit, the Château de Brissac, the tallest château in France, and the Château du Plessis-Bourré, surrounded by wide moats, are both about 25 minutes from Angers. The Château de Saumur, on the Loire, is worth a day together with Fontevraud Abbey.
Can you visit the châteaux near Angers without a car?
Saumur is reachable by train from Angers Saint-Laud station. For the other châteaux a car is easiest; some can also be reached by bike on the Loire à Vélo routes.
When are the Anjou châteaux open?
Most open from spring to autumn, and several can only be visited on a guided tour. Check each château’s days and opening hours on its website before you go.
