7 Days in Angers, Loire Valley: A Relaxing, Budget-Friendly City & Wine Country Itinerary
Angers sits at the gentle bend of the Maine River, a historic Loire Valley city crowned by its slate-and-schist fortress. Once the seat of the dukes of Anjou, it shelters the 14th‑century Apocalypse Tapestry—an art treasure of medieval Europe—and a compact old town of half‑timbered houses, quiet squares, and café terraces.
Beyond the postcard scenes, Angers is a living city: students, markets, and a leafy network of parks and riverbanks perfect for picnics. The Loire à Vélo cycling route passes through, and nearby villages like Savennières and Brissac tempt with tastings and château visits—all easy, low-cost day trips.
Good news for budget travelers: reliable regional trains and buses keep costs down, “plat du jour” lunches hover around €11–14, and many gardens and churches are free. Expect a laid-back rhythm: mornings of culture, afternoons outdoors, and evenings sipping local Anjou wines under the glow of the castle.
Angers
Angers blends medieval heft with garden-city calm. Start with the ramparts of Château d’Angers and its world-famous Apocalypse Tapestry, then wander the cobbled lanes to Cathédrale Saint‑Maurice, the Musée des Beaux‑Arts, and the luminous Galerie David d’Angers inside a former abbey church.
For nature and slow time, you’ll find the Jardin du Mail, the shady Jardin des Plantes, and the Lac de Maine leisure area. Families and plant-lovers can dedicate a half-day to Terra Botanica (seasonal), the world’s first theme park devoted to plants.
Angers tastes of Anjou: rosé d’Anjou and Savennières whites, rustic rillauds (savory pork belly), and the blue-hued local sweet quernon d’ardoise. For an affordable treat to take home, visit La Maison du Quernon d’Ardoise downtown.
- Where to stay (budget-friendly areas): Centre‑Ville near Place du Ralliement (walk to everything), La Doutre for a quieter, historic vibe across the river, or near Angers Saint‑Laud station for easy day trips.
- Browse vacation rentals: VRBO Angers
- Compare hotel deals: Hotels.com Angers
- Getting to Angers (budget-first):
- From within Europe, compare flights, trains, and buses on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). Paris–Angers TGV is ~1h30–1h40 (from ~€25–€55 if booked early); buses can be ~3.5–4h (often €10–€20).
- Flying long‑haul into France? Compare fares on Trip.com (flights), then take a train on Omio from Paris CDG or Montparnasse to Angers Saint‑Laud.
- Local transit: the irigo network (trams A/B and buses) has 1‑hour tickets (~€1.60–€1.70) and day passes that pay off if you ride 3+ times.
Day 1: Arrival, La Doutre Stroll, and Riverside Sunset
Morning: Travel to Angers. On trains in Europe, check times and deals on Omio (trains). If flying into Paris/Nantes, compare on Omio (flights) or Trip.com and continue by train.
Afternoon: Check in near Place du Ralliement or La Doutre. Stretch your legs across the Verdun Bridge into La Doutre, a medieval quarter with calm streets and timbered façades. Grab a low-cost snack from a neighborhood boulangerie (look for “formule” deals with pastry + coffee).
Evening: Watch sunset from the Cale de la Savatte esplanade with a castle view. For dinner on a budget, choose a crêperie around the château—buckwheat galettes (ham, egg, cheese) typically €8–€11. Nightcap: a glass of rosé d’Anjou around Place du Ralliement; many bars run happy hour before 8 pm.
Day 2: Château d’Angers, Apocalypse Tapestry, and Old Town
Morning: Coffee and a croissant near the cathedral, then visit Cathédrale Saint‑Maurice and the river belvedere. Continue through lanes like Rue Saint-Aubin where lunch menus often sit at €12–€14—look for chalkboards advertising “plat du jour.”
Afternoon: Explore the fortress with skip-the-line ease using this entry ticket:
Angers Castle & Gardens Entry Ticket
Evening: Dine at a simple bistro—try rillauds with salad or a poulet rôti plate. For nightlife, wander between pubs and wine bars around Rue Saint-Laud and Place du Ralliement; it’s lively but not overwhelming, ideal for a relaxed, social evening.
Day 3: Loire à Vélo to Savennières (Wine, Villages, and Picnic)
Morning: Rent bikes (expect ~€12–€18/day from central shops) and follow Loire à Vélo west to Savennières, renowned for mineral-rich Chenin Blanc. The route is flat and scenic (allow ~1–1.5 hours each way including stops).
Afternoon: Pack a picnic from Les Halles (Place Imbach)—baguette, local goat cheese, fruit—and taste wines at small village estates or cooperative cellars (tastings often €5–€10, sometimes waived with purchase). Relax by the river near Port Thibault; in summer, riverside guinguettes sometimes host acoustic sets.
Evening: Roll back to Angers for a casual dinner: try a savory buckwheat galette followed by a buttery salted-caramel crêpe. If you’re in season, the open‑air Héron Carré by the river is a mellow spot for a drink and sunset (seasonal opening).
Day 4: Gardens & Family Fun — Terra Botanica and Lac de Maine
Morning: Ride tram or bus (irigo) to Terra Botanica. This plant-themed park combines whimsical rides, tropical greenhouses, and themed gardens—perfect for a laid-back day. Budget tip: bring a refillable bottle; there are water points and shady picnic corners.
Afternoon: After the park, unwind at Lac de Maine: beaches, walking loops, and birdlife. Rent a pedal boat in summer or just read under lakeside trees. Snack stands and supermarkets nearby keep costs friendly.
Evening: Back in town, keep it simple with a market‑fresh “plat du jour.” For a calm night, look for a small jazz or acoustic set at a café-bar near the theatre district—low cover, mellow vibe.
Day 5: Day Trip to Saumur — Château, Cellars, and Troglodytes
Morning: Take a TER train Angers–Saumur (~26–35 minutes; from ~€6–€12 each way on Omio). Stroll the historic center and climb to Château de Saumur for sweeping Loire views.
Afternoon: Visit a sparkling wine house—Saumur is famous for method traditionnelle. Many cellars offer tours and tastings (often €6–€15). If time and interest allow, peek at the troglodyte heritage around the hills (caves, mushroom farms, and wine galleries).
Evening: Return to Angers for dinner. If you enjoy theater or dance, check what’s on at the riverside Le Quai—tickets can be surprisingly affordable, and the building’s terrace is a great pre‑show perch.
Day 6: Château de Brissac and Aubance Country
Morning: Ride a regional bus to Brissac‑Quincé (~30 minutes; local fares are typically a few euros). Explore Château de Brissac, the tallest château in the Loire, with richly furnished rooms and landscaped grounds.
Afternoon: Sample wines from the Coteaux de l’Aubance appellation at a nearby estate or village tasting room (expect budget‑friendly pours). Back in Angers, refresh with a quiet hour in the Jardin des Plantes.
Evening: Treat yourself to one “special” dinner without breaking the bank: choose a small market‑driven bistro offering a fixed-price menu (entrée + plat or plat + dessert) for ~€18–€24. For night owls, student-friendly bars near the station and Rue Saint-Laud buzz late on weekends.
Day 7: Markets, Museums, and a Playful Farewell (Departure in Afternoon)
Morning: If it’s market day, visit Les Halles d’Angers (Place Imbach) for picnic supplies and edible souvenirs. Pop into the Musée des Beaux‑Arts or the atmospheric Collégiale Saint‑Martin for a last dose of art and history. For a light-hearted city finale, try an affordable self-guided escape game that doubles as a walking tour:
Discover Angers while playing! Escape game - The Alchemist
Afternoon: Last-minute gifts: pick up quernons d’ardoise or a bottle of Savennières. Walk or tram to Angers Saint‑Laud for your departure train (check Omio), or bus to the airport connection if flying.
Evening: If you have a late departure, enjoy a quiet riverside stroll under the castle walls—Angers is especially beautiful as the lights come on.
Optional/Bonus Activities in Angers (Fun, Low-Cost, Relaxed)
- Children’s escape game in the city of Angers — Marsupilami
Perfect if you’re traveling with kids—gentle walking, puzzles, and city highlights.
Children's escape game in the city of Angers Marsupilami on Viator - Urban escape game in Angers — Crazytopia
A playful, offbeat route—good for friends, flexible start times, and wallet-friendly.
Urban escape game in Angers - Crazytopia on Viator
Eating & Drinking on a 15/100 Budget
- Breakfast: Look for boulangerie “formules” (coffee + pastry) for €3–€5. On sunny days, take it to the cathedral steps or Jardin du Mail.
- Lunch: “Plat du jour” boards around Place du Ralliement and Rue Saint‑Aubin are the best value (€11–€14). Crêperies are reliable, filling, and affordable.
- Dinner: Split a starter and go for a main, or pick a prix‑fixe (~€18–€24). For a near‑free option, assemble a picnic from Les Halles: baguette, two cheeses, seasonal fruit, and a pastry for under €10–€12.
- Sweet souvenirs: La Maison du Quernon d’Ardoise for the city’s blue “slate” chocolates; they travel well.
- Nightlife (relaxant): Riverside terraces near the castle, pub clusters around Place du Ralliement, and seasonal guinguettes for live music without high cover charges.
Estimated local budget per day (excluding lodging): €25–€45 with careful choices (breakfast €3–€5, lunch €11–€14, dinner €12–€20, transit €0–€3, occasional entry/tasting €5–€12). Many parks, churches, and river walks are free.
Book your stay: VRBO Angers | Hotels.com Angers
Trains, buses, flights (Europe): Omio Trains | Omio Buses | Omio Flights
Long‑haul flights: Trip.com
Across a week in Angers you’ll balance headline sights with river breezes, vineyards, and easy evenings. With smart transport, market picnics, and a few well‑chosen tickets, this relaxed Loire Valley itinerary stays friendly to your wallet—and your pace.
Expect to leave with camera‑roll sunsets, a taste for Chenin Blanc, and a tin of blue quernons in your bag.