schiller-wine: Visit of Château Angers and the Apocalypse Tapestry (UNESCO)

Monday, November 10, 2025

Visit of Château Angers and the Apocalypse Tapestry (UNESCO) - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

The Loire Tour 2025 by ombiasy WineTours took place from Sunday, October 5 to Thursday, October 16, 2025. The tour started in Nantes and ended in Sancerre, with a bus transfer and lunch in Paris. There were 9 of us including Annette and myself.

Following the visit of the château in Nantes:

Guided Tour of Old Town Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

the château in Angers was the second one we visited on the tour. The main attraction of this château is the exhibit of the Apocalypse Tapestry, listed as UNESCO World Heritage historic monument.

Loire 2025 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller in her announcement: What comes to your mind when you hear ‘Loire Valley’? Of course images of glorious Châteaux pop up in your mind. Yes that is true and we will visit some iconic château and dig deep into France’s history. However, during this wine tour we also discover a magnificent, but often overlooked French wine region and one of the most exciting best kept secrets of excellent, high quality wines at very reasonable prices. The Loire Valley wine region is a vast area and consists of several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. We take you on a journey from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains to explore this unique region. We learn to appreciate “Sancerre”, "Pouilly-Fumé", “Vouvray", “Chinon”, as well as many other not so familiar appellations.

Angers

Although Angers is an Antique city, the Middle Ages are one of the periods to have marked it the most. When wandering the old town, you’ll become aware of a strong medieval influence in the form of charming, cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, the Saint-Maurice cathedral and monuments built in the Angevin Gothic style. Angers is also the place to learn more about the wines of Anjou, either at the Maison du Vin or at the city’s wine bars.

A Brief History of Angers (leshuttle.com.uk)

It says much for the way Anglo-French history is entwined that Angers holds almost as significant a place in the history of England as that of France.

Angers was the seat of the Plantagenet (or Anjou) dynasty, and for over 300 years English monarchs had Angevin blood, from Henry II in 1154 to Richard III in 1485. The Angevin Kings of England had strong claims to the French throne, which eventually plunged the two nations into the Hundred Years War.

The Duchy of Anjou was reclaimed by the French crown early in the 13th century. Angers became the capital of this wealthy region and a centre of French intellectual and cultural life during the 15th and 16th century. During the French Revolution Angers was one of the strongholds of the Republic.

A siege of the city in 1793 by overwhelming numbers of Royalist troops was repelled from behind the very castle walls you see today.

Château Angers

Construction of this mighty fortress and castle started in 970 to protect the Anjou region from any invasion coming from the north from Normandie. You will feel tiny when you stand before this imposing Medieval fortress with its 17 defensive towers.

Apocalypse Tapestry

The main attraction of this castle however is the exhibit of the Apocalypse Tapestry. This incredible monumental medieval work – designed to be transported from place to place – is the largest set of tapestry known to date. It was commissioned by Louis I, the Duke of Anjou in 1373 and it took seven years to finish. The tapestry describes the story of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation in colorful scenes in 74 pictures: 103 meters long, 4.50 meters high, 74 scenes, virtuoso weaving, striking details, expressive characters, a fantastic story evoking wars, pollution, disease, famine, death, but also hope: an encounter with a masterpiece unique in the world.

Visit of Château Angers