View source for Angers

{{other uses}}
{{distinguish|Algiers}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox French commune
| name               = Angers
| commune status     = [[Prefectures of France|Prefecture]] and [[Communes of France|commune]]
| image              = Angers collage.jpg
| image size         = 280px
| caption            = Top to bottom, left to right: [[Château d'Angers]], ''Maison d'Adam''; [[Angers tramway|Angers tram]], Verdun Bridge at night; view of the river [[Maine (river)|Maine]], Verdun Bridge and downtown area from Angers Castle
| image coat of arms = Coat of Arms of Angers.svg
| image flag         = Flag of Angers.gif
| coordinates        = {{coord|47.473612|-0.554167|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| intercommunality   = [[Communauté urbaine Angers Loire Métropole|CU Angers Loire Métropole]]
| arrondissement     = Angers
| canton             = [[Canton of Angers-1|Angers-1]], [[Canton of Angers-2|2]], [[Canton of Angers-3|3]], [[Canton of Angers-4|4]], [[Canton of Angers-5|5]], [[Canton of Angers-6|6]], [[Canton of Angers-7|7]]
| population demonym = ''Angevin'' (masculine)<br>''Angevine'' (feminine)
| INSEE              = 49007
| postal code        = 49000, 49100
| mayor              = [[Christophe Béchu]]
| term               = 2024&ndash;2026
| area km2           = 42.70
| population         = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
| population date    = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population footnotes   = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
| population ranking = [[List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants|18th in France]]
| urban pop          = 242613
| urban pop date     = 2018<ref name=compar/>
| urban area km2     = 243.3
| metro area pop     = 432939
| metro area pop date= 2018<ref name=compar/>
| metro area km2     = 2418.7
| elevation min m    = 12
| elevation max m    = 64
| map                = Angers OSM 01.png
}}
[[File:Angers vue generale.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Maine (river)|Maine]], the [[Château d'Angers|castle]], and the spires of the [[Angers Cathedral|cathedral]]]]
'''Angers''' ({{IPA|fr|ɑ̃ʒe|lang|Fr-Paris--Angers.ogg}}, {{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|ɑ̃|ʒ|eɪ}}, {{IPAc-en|US|ɑ̃|ˈ|ʒ|eɪ|,_|ˈ|æ|n|dʒ|ər|z}};<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Angers|access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Angers |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/angers |access-date=11 May 2019 |website=[[Collins English Dictionary]] |publisher=[[HarperCollins]]}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190511132715/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Angers "Angers"] (US) and {{Cite encyclopedia |title=Angers |encyclopedia=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Angers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726050533/https://www.lexico.com/definition/angers |archive-date=2020-07-26 |url-status=dead}}</ref>) is a city in western [[France]], about {{cvt|300|km}} southwest of [[Paris]]. It is the [[Prefectures of France|prefecture]] of the [[Maine-et-Loire]] department and was the capital of the province of [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]] until the [[French Revolution]]. The inhabitants of both the city and the province are called ''Angevins'' or, more rarely, ''Angeriens''.

Angers proper covers {{convert|42.70|sqkm}}<ref name="linternaute">{{Cite web |title=Angers (49000), Maine-et-Loire |url=https://www.linternaute.com/ville/angers/ville-49007 |website=www.linternaute.com}}</ref> and has a population of 154,508 inhabitants, while around 432,900 live in its metropolitan area (''aire d'attraction''). The [[Communauté urbaine Angers Loire Métropole|Angers Loire Métropole]] is made up of 29 communes covering {{convert|667|km2}} with 299,500 inhabitants (2018).<ref name="compar">[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/1405599?geo=AAV2020-026+UU2020-49701+COM-49007+EPCI-244900015 Comparateur de territoire], [[INSEE]]</ref> Not including the broader metropolitan area, Angers is the third most populous [[Communes of France|commune]] in northwestern France after [[Nantes]] and [[Rennes]] and the 18th most populous commune in France.<ref name="pop2017">[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/4265429/ensemble.pdf Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2017], [[Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques|INSEE]]</ref>

For centuries, Angers was an important stronghold in northwestern France. It was the cradle of the [[Plantagenet]] dynasty and became one of the intellectual centers of Europe during the reign of [[René of Anjou]]. Angers developed at the confluence of three rivers, the [[Mayenne (river)|Mayenne]], the [[Sarthe (river)|Sarthe]], and the [[Loir]], all coming from the north and flowing south to the [[Loire]]. Their confluence, just north of Angers, creates the [[Maine (river)|Maine]], a short but wide river that flows into the Loire several kilometres south.

Today, Angers stands out for its specialization in the [[plant]] sector: Végépolys is Europe's leading [[Horticulture|horticultural]] competitiveness cluster, and the city is also home to the headquarters of the [[Community Plant Variety Office|Community Plant Variety]] Office. In addition, the Angers metropolitan area is a major economic centre in western France, particularly active in industry and tourism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Étude comparative des villes européennes |url=http://www.mgm.fr/ARECLUS/page_auteurs/rozen_veuro.pdf}}</ref> Angers enjoys a rich cultural life, made possible by its universities and museums. The old medieval center is still dominated by the massive [[château d'Angers|château]] of the [[Plantagenêt]]s, home of the ''[[Apocalypse Tapestry]]'', the biggest medieval tapestry ensemble in the world. Angers is also both at the edge of the [[Val de Loire]], a [[World Heritage Site]], and the Loire-Anjou-Touraine [[regional nature parks of France|regional natural park]].

== Toponymy ==

=== Etymology ===

The city is first mentioned by [[Ptolemy]] around AD&nbsp;150 in his ''[[Geography (Ptolemy)|Geography]]''. It was then known as '''Juliomagus''' ({{langx|grc|Ἰουλιόμαγος}}, ''Iouliómagos''),<ref name="DauzatRostaing">{{Cite book |last1=Albert Dauzat |title=Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de lieu en France |last2=Charles Rostaing |publisher=Librairie Guénégaud |year=1979 |isbn=2-85023-076-6 |location=Paris |page=18b |author1-link=Albert Dauzat |author2-link=Charles Rostaing }}</ref><ref>[[Ptolemy]], ''Geography'', II, 8, 8.</ref> a name by which it also appears in the {{Lang|la|[[Tabula Peutingeriana]]}}. The name is a compound of the Latin name [[Julius (nomen)|Julius]] (probably in reference to [[Julius Caesar]]) and the [[Proto-Celtic|Celtic]] ''magos'', "market". Similar town dedications were common in [[Roman Gaul]], and toponyms often kept a Gallic element.<ref>{{Cite book |last=[[Charles Rostaing]] |title=Les noms de lieux |year=1945 |isbn=2-13-038660-1 |editor-last=Presses universitaires de France |location=Paris |page=59}}</ref>

When the location needed to be distinguished from other Juliomagi, it was known as '''Juliomagus Andecavorum''' ("Juliomagus of the [[Andecavi]]"), in reference to the principal Gallic tribe in and around the city.<ref>Charles Rostaing, ''Op. cit.'', p. 47</ref>

Around AD&nbsp;400, the city came to be referred to as the '''civitas Andecavorum''' ("[[civitas|tribal capital]] of the Andecavi"). This was a common change in Gaul, also seen in the names of [[Paris]], [[Tours]] and [[Évreux]] around this time.<ref>Charles Rostaing, ''Op. cit.'', p. 46–47.</ref> During the Middle Ages, the late Latin name gradually developed into the modern one. It is successively mentioned as '''Andecava civitas''' (6th century), '''Andecavis''' (AD&nbsp;769),<ref name=DauzatRostaing/> '''Andegavis''' (861&nbsp;{{abbr|-|sometime between}}&nbsp;882), '''Angieus''' (in 1127) and '''Angeus''' (in 1205). The form '''Angiers''' appeared during the 12th century<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nègre |first=Ernest |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rsNpi7IVulEC&q=Angers&pg=PA151 |title=Toponymie générale de la France |date=9 July 1990 |publisher=Librairie Droz |isbn=9782600028837 |via=Google Books}}</ref> and was later corrupted to "Angers".

The Latin ''Andecavum'' also gave [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]] its name. This double formation is quite common in France and is also seen in [[Poitiers]] and [[Poitou]], and [[Bourges]] and [[Berry (province)|Berry]].

=== Nicknames ===

Angers was traditionally known as the "Black City" ({{lang|fr|la Ville Noire}}) because many roofs were built of [[slate]], due to the quarry in neighbouring [[Trélazé]]. These have become less common since the development of the city in the 19th century.{{sfnp|EB|1878}}
The city has also been known as:

* "The [[Athens]] of the West" ({{lang|fr|Athènes de l'Ouest}}), a name borne since the 19th century from the development of its university<ref>{{Cite web |title=City official website |url=http://www.angers.fr/decouvrir-angers/en-histoire/chroniques-historiques/pour-s-informer/le-grand-cercle-du-boulevard/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081125014025/http://www.angers.fr/decouvrir-angers/en-histoire/chroniques-historiques/pour-s-informer/le-grand-cercle-du-boulevard/ |archive-date=25 November 2008}}</ref>
* "The City of Flowers" ({{lang|fr|Ville des fleurs}}), a name from the [[Second French Empire|Second Empire]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jacques Maillard |title=Angers, XXe siecle |year=2000 |isbn=2-85575-070-9 |editor-last=éd. Ville d'Angers |location=Angers |page=125}}</ref>
* "Green City" ({{lang|fr|Ville verte}}), in reference to its numerous parks and important horticultural industry
* "Angers the White" ({{lang|fr|Angers la Blanche}}), from its modern [[tufa]] façades and with ironic reference to its former name<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laissez-vous conter Angers |url=http://www.vpah.culture.fr/vpah/loire/angers-vi.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516213538/http://www.vpah.culture.fr/vpah/loire/angers-vi.htm |archive-date=16 May 2011 |access-date=1 August 2012 |website=vpah.culture}}</ref>

=== Heraldry ===

[[File:Blason d'Angers.svg|thumb|100px|Coat of arms of Angers]]
[[File:Blason ville fr Angers-Empire.svg|thumb|100px|Coat of arms under Napoleon's rule]]
The coat of arms of Angers bears the French royal [[fleur de lys]] of the [[Duchy of Anjou|dukes of Anjou]] (the first duke was the son of the king of France, [[John II of France|Jean II]]); the key evokes the stronghold position of the city close to the [[Brittany|Breton]] border. An [[acrostic]] from the Middle Ages calls it ''Antique clef de France'', which means "Ancient key to France":

* '''A'''ntique clef de France, (''antique key to France'')
* '''N'''eteté de souffrance, (''sharpness of displeasure'')
* '''G'''arant contre ennemis, (''protection against enemies'')
* '''E'''tappe d'assurance, (''step of assurance'')
* '''R'''ecours de secourance, (''help of relief'')
* '''S'''ecurité d'amis. (''security for friends'')

Under [[Napoleon I]]'s rule, Angers was one of the "Bonnes villes" and was therefore allowed to ask for a new coat of arms. The bees, symbol of the [[First French Empire]], then replaced the royal fleurs de lys.

In 1949, Angers received the [[1939–1945 War Cross (France)|1939–1945 War Cross]] and since then, the decoration is sometimes placed between the two fleurs de lys.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distinctions : Angers.fr |url=http://www.angers.fr/decouvrir-angers/histoire-d-angers/aide-m%C3%A9moire/pour-s-informer/emblemes-et-devises/distinctions/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213092431/http://www.angers.fr/decouvrir-angers/histoire-d-angers/aide-m%C3%A9moire/pour-s-informer/emblemes-et-devises/distinctions/index.html |archive-date=13 February 2013 |access-date=23 August 2017}}</ref>

Angers also had several mottos through its history:<ref>{{Cite web |title=City website |url=http://www.angers.fr/index.php?id=51132 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801122633/http://www.angers.fr/index.php?id=51132 |archive-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

* During [[Classical antiquity|Antiquity]]: ''Assiuis conciliis'' (or ''consiliis'');
* From 1434 to 1480 (reign of [[René of Anjou]]): ''D'ardent désir'';
* In 1499: ''Antique clef de France'';
* Until June 1987: ''Angers, la qualité''.

== Geography ==

=== Location ===

[[File:Aerial photograph of Angers and confluence of Loire and Maine rivers - 20050911.jpg|thumb|The [[confluence]] of the Maine and the Loire some {{convert|4|mi|sp=us}} south west of Angers{{sfnp|EB|1878}}]]
Angers is located at the geographical center of the [[Maine-et-Loire]] department, on the road ([[A11 autoroute]], ''L'Océane'') which connects [[Paris]] to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The city is situated just south of the confluence of the [[Loir]], [[Mayenne (river)|Mayenne]] and [[Sarthe (river)|Sarthe]], which form together the river [[Maine (river)|Maine]]. The Maine crosses Angers and heads south towards the [[Loire]]. The confluence of the three rivers and the proximity of the Loire make up a natural crossroads which favoured the foundation of the antique ''Juliomagus''.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Angers is located {{convert|91|km|0|abbr=on|sp=us}} from [[Nantes]], {{convert|124|km|0|abbr=on|sp=us}} from [[Rennes]], {{convert|132|km|0|sp=us|abbr=on}} from [[Poitiers]] and {{convert|297|km|0|sp=us|abbr=on}} from [[Paris]]. It is also {{convert|118|km|0|sp=us|abbr=on}} far from [[Pornic]], the closest sea resort, situated on the [[Atlantic Ocean]].

Elevation varies {{convert|12|to|64|m|sp=us}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]].<ref>[http://professionnels.ign.fr/ficheProduitCMS.do?idDoc=5323862#top ''Elevations''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110502050806/http://professionnels.ign.fr/ficheProduitCMS.do?idDoc=5323862#top |date=2 May 2011 }}, Institut geographique national</ref>

Angers is a hilly town, particularly marked by a rocky promontory dominating the lower valley of [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]]. This was the site of the ancient city and still houses the town's [[château d'Angers|castle]], [[Angers Cathedral|cathedral]], and medieval quarters.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

At the north and south, where the river Maine arrives in and leaves Angers, the landscape is formed by islands, ponds and floodplains which are a haven for birds and a typical flora of the [[Val de Loire]]. The [[étang Saint-Nicolas]] and [[Lac de Maine]], both artificial, are among the biggest green areas of the city.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

=== Metropolitan area ===

The commune of Angers is bordered by ten other [[commune (France)|communes]] which form various suburbs. These are, clockwise, [[Avrillé, Maine-et-Loire|Avrillé]], [[Cantenay-Épinard]], [[Écouflant]], [[Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou]], [[Trélazé]], [[Les Ponts-de-Cé]], [[Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire]], [[Bouchemaine]] and [[Beaucouzé]]. 22 other communes situated farther form with them the [[Communauté urbaine Angers Loire Métropole]]. All these peripheral communes are situated within {{convert|17|km|0|sp=us|abbr=on}} from Angers proper. Together, they have around 272,400 inhabitants.

=== Climate ===

Angers has an [[oceanic climate]], with moderate rain year-round. Winters have scarce frosts and snowfalls, and summers are warm and sunny.

{{Weather box
| location = Angers (located in [[Beaucouzé]], 1991–2020 normals)
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y
| Jan record high C = 17.1
| Feb record high C = 21.2
| Mar record high C = 24.8
| Apr record high C = 29.7
| May record high C = 32.8
| Jun record high C = 40.1
| Jul record high C = 40.7
| Aug record high C = 38.7
| Sep record high C = 35.7
| Oct record high C = 30.5
| Nov record high C = 22.2
| Dec record high C = 19.0
| year record high C = 40.7
| Jan high C = 8.8
| Feb high C = 9.9
| Mar high C = 13.3
| Apr high C = 16.4
| May high C = 19.9
| Jun high C = 23.5
| Jul high C = 25.8
| Aug high C = 25.9
| Sep high C = 22.4
| Oct high C = 17.4
| Nov high C = 12.3
| Dec high C = 9.2
| year high C = 17.1
| Jan mean C = 6.0
| Feb mean C = 6.4
| Mar mean C = 9.0
| Apr mean C = 11.3
| May mean C = 14.7
| Jun mean C = 18.1
| Jul mean C = 20.0
| Aug mean C = 20.1
| Sep mean C = 16.9
| Oct mean C = 13.4
| Nov mean C = 9.1
| Dec mean C = 6.3
| year mean C = 12.6
| Jan low C = 3.3
| Feb low C = 2.9
| Mar low C = 4.6
| Apr low C = 6.3
| May low C = 9.6
| Jun low C = 12.6
| Jul low C = 14.3
| Aug low C = 14.3
| Sep low C = 11.4
| Oct low C = 9.3
| Nov low C = 5.9
| Dec low C = 3.5
| year low C = 8.2
| Jan record low C = -15.4
| Feb record low C = -12.8
| Mar record low C = -10.6
| Apr record low C = -3.4
| May record low C = -1.6
| Jun record low C = 2.3
| Jul record low C = 4.5
| Aug record low C = 5.1
| Sep record low C = 2.5
| Oct record low C = -3.2
| Nov record low C = -8.0
| Dec record low C = -13.4
| year record low C = -15.4
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 69.9
| Feb precipitation mm = 54.4
| Mar precipitation mm = 52.8
| Apr precipitation mm = 54.7
| May precipitation mm = 59.4
| Jun precipitation mm = 48.7
| Jul precipitation mm = 45.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 48.2
| Sep precipitation mm = 56.5
| Oct precipitation mm = 71.9
| Nov precipitation mm = 72.9
| Dec precipitation mm = 74.9
| year precipitation mm = 709.3
| Jan precipitation days = 11.4
| Feb precipitation days = 9.5
| Mar precipitation days = 9.4
| Apr precipitation days = 9.7
| May precipitation days = 9.2
| Jun precipitation days = 6.8
| Jul precipitation days = 6.1
| Aug precipitation days = 7.1
| Sep precipitation days = 7.6
| Oct precipitation days = 10.6
| Nov precipitation days = 11.9
| Dec precipitation days = 11.7
| year precipitation days = 110.9
| Jan snow days = 1.7
| Feb snow days = 1.9
| Mar snow days = 1.4
| Apr snow days = 0.2
| May snow days = 0.1
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.4
| Dec snow days = 1.3
| year snow days = 7.0
| Jan humidity = 88
| Feb humidity = 84
| Mar humidity = 80
| Apr humidity = 77
| May humidity = 77
| Jun humidity = 75
| Jul humidity = 74
| Aug humidity = 76
| Sep humidity = 80
| Oct humidity = 86
| Nov humidity = 89
| Dec humidity = 89
| year humidity = 81.3
| Jan sun = 68.4
| Feb sun = 97.7
| Mar sun = 142.3
| Apr sun = 179.6
| May sun = 205.0
| Jun sun = 224.2
| Jul sun = 235.3
| Aug sun = 225.3
| Sep sun = 191.7
| Oct sun = 120.9
| Nov sun = 84.1
| Dec sun = 70.8
| year sun = 1845.1
| source 1 = [[Meteo France]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_49020001.pdf
| title = Beaucouze (49)
| work = Fiche Climatologique: Statistiques 1991–2020 et records
| publisher = Meteo France
| language = fr
| access-date = 21 July 2022
}}</ref>
| source 2 = Infoclimat.fr (humidity, snowy days 1961–1990)<ref name="Infoclimat">{{Cite web |title=Normes et records 1961–1990: Angers-Beaucouzé (49) - altitude 50m |url=http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07230-angers-beaucouze.html |access-date=9 January 2016 |publisher=Infoclimat |language=fr}}</ref>
}}

=== Urban morphology ===

[[File:Angers vers 1850.jpg|thumb|Angers around 1850, with the river Maine at the middle, the [[Château d'Angers|castle]] and the medieval town on the right bank and La Doutre and its river port on the left bank]]
The oldest streets and buildings in Angers are located on the promontory where the [[Château d'Angers|Angers castle]] stands. The urban structure there dates back from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fasti Ecclesiae Gallicanae - Extrait du volume d'Angers |url=http://fasti.univ-paris1.fr/extrait_angers.php |website=fasti.univ-paris1.fr}}</ref>

A military presence there was attested from the 3rd century<ref>[http://www.archives49.fr/histoire-de-lanjou/il-etait-une-fois-lanjou/iiie-siecle/ Archives 49 : il était une fois l'Anjou] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712202540/http://www.archives49.fr/histoire-de-lanjou/il-etait-une-fois-lanjou/iiie-siecle/ |date=12 July 2014 }}.</ref> and some remains of an antique city wall are still visible on the castle grounds.<ref>Angers, le château, Inventaire général des monuments et richesses artistiques de la France, 1991</ref> This wall was built to protect the city from the Germanic invasions of AD&nbsp;275 and 276.

During the Middle Ages, the castle was the core of the city's defence system, composed of tall city walls and river chains which prevented enemy ships from going up the Maine. The walls were last reconstructed between 1230 and 1240, by order of [[Louis IX of France|King Louis IX]].<ref>''Historique du château d'Angers'', Inventaire général du patrimoine culturel</ref> Today, portions of the wall are still visible in Rue Toussaint and on Boulevard Carnot, as are some towers, like the ''Tour Villebon'' and the ''Tour des Anglais''.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Before the first [[cadastre]] (1810), the city had not extended much beyond its medieval limits: on and around the castle promontory, with some dwellings on the other bank of the Maine in a neighbourhood called ''La Doutre''. That part of the city developed quickly during the industrial revolution and became a big river port. Industry was encouraged by firms like Bessonneau (textile factories) and [[Cointreau]] (distillery).{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

After 1850, many suburbs appeared around the train stations and the slate quarries to the south in [[Trélazé]]. Despite the port in La Doutre, demographic growth and urban extension were more significant on the eastern bank of the Maine, where the former Juliomagus had been founded.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

The medieval city center was redeveloped and expanded from 1791. The ''Place du Ralliement'', the main square, was then built in place of three churches destroyed during the [[French Revolution]] and, later, ring boulevards planted with trees replaced the city walls.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

The architectural style used is mainly [[Haussmann's renovation of Paris|Haussmanian]], but there are also some [[Palladian architecture|Palladian]], [[Art Nouveau]] or [[Art Deco]] buildings.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

After 1945 and the [[Second World War]], several large [[council estate]]s made of tower blocks were built around the city center, the first of them being Belle-Beille in 1953. Industrial activity changed drastically: port activity declined while new factories, such as [[Technicolor SA]] in 1957, were built. During the 1970s, the collective approach to urban development gave way to more individual houses being built for the [[middle class]].{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

As the metropolitan area continued to grow, commuting became more common. New shopping areas were constructed close to the villages which had been subsumed into the city. Because of the floodplains that surround the city north and south, Angers can only grow significantly on an east–west axis.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

<gallery class="center">
File:Tour des anglais, Angers (1).jpg|The ''Tour des Anglais'', a remaining part of the medieval city walls
File:Ardoise d' Angers.jpg|Traditional slated roof
File:Angers Oisellerie.jpg |Half-timbered houses in rue de l'Oisellerie
File:Vue sur la Doutre, Angers.jpg|View of La Doutre; the industrial port has become a marina
File:Angers - Tramway - Place du Ralliement.jpg|The Place du Ralliement
File:Nouvelles Galeries (Angers).jpg|A department store on a 19th-century street
File:Facade-hlmroseraieangers.jpg|A council estate in La Roseraie
</gallery>

=== Green areas ===

[[File:douves jardins Angers.JPG|thumb|Gardens in the [[château d'Angers|castle]] moat.]]
Being both at the edge of the [[Val de Loire]] World Heritage site and on the largest river confluence in France,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rives Nouvelles |url=http://www.angers.fr/projets-et-politiques/rives-nouvelles/rives-nouvelles/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622235042/http://www.angers.fr/projets-et-politiques/rives-nouvelles/rives-nouvelles/index.html |archive-date=22 June 2012 |website=angers.fr}}</ref> Angers has a high natural potential, notably highlighted by the Saint-Aubin island, situated north of the center and covering a tenth of the city total surface. Protected, the island is formed of swamps and natural meadows.

The oldest green areas date back from the [[Renaissance]], when the moats of the castle were transformed into pleasure and kitchen gardens. Similar gardens were built by the aristocracy around their [[hôtel particulier|hôtels particuliers]] and [[physic garden]] were planted in hospices cloisters. The Jardin des plantes, the first [[botanical garden]], dates back from the beginning of the 18th century. During the 19th century, others were built, for example the Faculty of Pharmacy garden and the Roseraie. The first recreational parks, for their part, were built during the [[Second French Empire]]. The [[étang Saint-Nicolas]], made by a sluice on a small river, the Brionneau, was protected as early as 1936.

The Jardin du Mail (''Mall Garden''), an esplanade situated outside the ring boulevards, was built between 1820 and 1880 on the former Champs de Mars (Fields of Mars, a place where the garrisons used to train and parade). Another esplanade, the Mail [[François Mitterrand]], was built in 1999 together with a garden inside the new Saint-Serge business district. During the 1960s the old gravel pits around the Maine were filled with water to form the Lac de Maine, which now hosts a marina. In 2010, a large amusement park, [[Terra Botanica]], was inaugurated close to Saint-Aubin island.

<gallery class="center">
File:Ile Saint-Aubin-2.jpg|The Saint-Aubin island protected area
File:Angers 2008 PD 01.JPG|Planted quays around the river Maine
File:Fontaine du Mail - Angers - 20080803.JPG|Jardin du Mail
File:Angers lac de maine.jpg|Sunset on the Lac de Maine
File:Terra Botanica Angers.JPG|[[Terra Botanica]]
</gallery>

== History ==
{{see also|Timeline of Angers}}

=== Prehistory and antiquity ===

[[File:Brozen Sword.jpg|upright=0.5|thumb|A model of a sword from the [[Bronze Age]] discovered in the 2000s in the Maine riverbed]]
The first sign of human presence in Angers dates back to around 400,000&nbsp;BC.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rogers |first=Joe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qTfGDA70tGUC&q=angers+400+000+bc&pg=PA128 |title=From an Irish Market Town |publisher=Publishamerica Inc |year=2011 |isbn=978-1456043087 |pages=128}}</ref> Vestiges from the [[Neolithic]] are more abundant and include numerous polished stone axes. Burials from 4500&nbsp;{{abbr|x|sometime between}}&nbsp;3500&nbsp;BC were also discovered on the castle grounds.

During the 5th century&nbsp;BC, the [[Andecavi]], a Celtic people, settled north of the [[Loire]]. By the end of the [[Age of Iron|Iron Age]], Angers was a relatively densely populated [[oppidum|hillfort]]. While the settlement's Roman name—Juliomagus—may be older, it is only attested from the 3rd century. The Roman town consisted of many villas and baths and had an amphitheater as well as a [[Mithraeum]], a temple dedicated to [[Mithra]].

Successive Germanic invasions in AD&nbsp;275 and 276 forced the inhabitants to move to the highest point of their city and to build a wall around a small area of around {{convert|9|ha|sp=us}}.

=== Middle Ages ===

[[File:Loire Maine Angers2 tango7174.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Château d'Angers|castle]], seat of the [[Plantagenêt]] dynasty]]
Angers received its first [[Bishop of Angers|bishop]] in 372 during the election of [[Martin of Tours]]. The first abbey, Saint-Aubin, was built during the 7th century to house the sarcophagus of [[Albinus of Angers|Saint Albinius]]. Saint-Serge Abbey was founded by the Merovingian kings [[Clovis II]] and [[Theuderic III]] a century later. In 2008, ten Frankish sarcophagi from that period were discovered where Saint-Morille church once stood during the [[Angers tramway|tramway]] construction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City website |url=http://www.angers.fr/outils/actualite/index.html?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=453&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=50060&tx_ttnews%5BpS%5D=1222767993&cHash=17b442ddd8}}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

From the 850s, Angers suffered from its situation on the border with [[Brittany]] and [[Normandy]]. In September 851, [[Charles the Bald]] and [[Erispoe]], a Breton chief, met in the town to sign the [[Battle of Jengland|Treaty of Angers]], which secured Breton independence and fixed the borders of [[Brittany]]. However, the situation remained dangerous for Angers, and Charles the Bald created in 853 a wide buffer zone around Brittany comprising parts of [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]], [[Touraine]], [[Maine (province)|Maine]] and [[Sées]], which was ruled by [[Robert the Strong]], a great-grandfather of [[Hugh Capet]].

In 870, the [[Viking]] chief [[Hastein]] seized Angers where he settled until a successful siege temporarily displaced him. He again took control of the town in 873,<ref>Michel Dillange. ''Op. cit'', p 59–60</ref> before the Carolingian Emperor ousted him.

[[File:Hopital-St-Jean-Angers.jpg|thumb|The ''Hospice Saint-Jean'', founded by [[Henry II of England|Henry II Plantagenêt]]]]
[[Fulk I, Count of Anjou|Fulk I of Anjou]], a [[Carolingian]] descendant, was the first viscount of [[Viscounty of Angers|Angers]] (before 898 until 929) and of [[Viscounty of Tours|Tours]] (898–909), and count of [[County of Nantes|Nantes]] (909–919). Around 929, he took the title of count (earl) of Angers and founded the first Anjou dynasty, the [[House of Ingelger]] (''French: Ingelgériens''). Angers subsequently formed the capital of the [[French province|province]] of [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]].{{sfnp|EB|1878}}

During the 12th century, after internal divisions in [[Brittany]], the county of Nantes was annexed by [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]]. [[Henry II of England|Henry II Plantagenêt]] kept it for more than 30 years. The grandson of [[Henry I of England]], he also succeeded to the English crown and ruled the vast [[Angevin Empire]], which stretched from the [[Pyrenees]] to [[Ireland]].<ref>''Le duché de Bretagne et la politique Plantagenêt aux XII et XIII siecles'', Judith Everard. ", ''in'' Marin Aurell and Noël-Yves Tonnerre éditeurs. ''Plantagenêts et Capétiens, confrontations et héritages'', Poitiers. Brepols, 2006, Turnhout. Collection ''Histoires de famille. La parenté au Moyen Âge'', p. 202</ref> The [[Château d'Angers|castle of Angers]] was then the seat of the Court and the dynasty. The Empire disappeared in 1204–1205 when the King of France, [[Philip II of France|Philip II]], seized [[Normandy]] and Anjou. Henceforth, there were no more counts of [[County of Anjou|Anjou]], as the French king had made Anjou a dukedom.

Now a part of the [[Kingdom of France]], Angers became the "Key to the Kingdom" ({{lang|fr|Clé du Royaume}}) facing still independent [[Brittany]]. In 1228, during [[Louis IX of France|Louis IX]]'s minority, [[Blanche of Castile]] decided to fortify the city and to rebuild the castle. Later, during the 1350s and 1360s, the schools of Law, Medicine and Theology, renowned in [[Europe]], were organized into a university. In 1373, [[Louis I, Duke of Anjou|Louis I of Naples and Anjou]] ordered the six tapestries illustrating the [[Apocalypse]] of St John known today as the ''[[Apocalypse Tapestry]]''.

=== Renaissance ===

[[File:King Rene and Jeanne de Lavalle. Louvre.jpg|thumb|left|[[René of Anjou|René of Naples and Anjou]], nicknamed ''Good King René'', and his second wife, [[Jeanne de Laval]]]]
King [[René of Anjou]] contributed to the economic revival in a city that had been diminished by the [[Black Death]] (1347–1350) and the [[Hundred Years War]] (1337–1453). A man of great culture and generosity, René transformed Angers into a cultural and political center and held court there. He transformed the castle moat into a [[menagerie]] and built several gardens. He also founded in Angers a new [[Ordre du Croissant]] which was supposed to compete with the [[Order of the Golden Fleece]], created several years earlier.

In 1474, [[Louis XI]], in his attempt to conquer Anjou, came to Angers with his army, asking for the keys of the city.<ref>Histoire de René d'Anjou, Louis François Villeneuve-Bargemont tome II (1446–1476) Editions J. J. Blaise, Paris : 1825</ref> René, then 65 years old, did not want to lead a war against his nephew and surrendered his domains without a fight. Thus, Anjou ceased to be an [[appanage]] and fell into the Royal domain. After his death, René was buried in 1480 in [[Angers Cathedral|Saint-Maurice cathedral]].

[[File:Angers - Logis Barrault (2).jpg|thumb|The ''Logis Barrault'', where the [[Edict of Nantes]] was prepared]]
In 1551, Angers became the seat of a [[bailiwick]] and the [[presidial court]] of a jurisdiction, a position the city kept until 1790. At the same time, with the growth of [[Protestantism]] in France, a Catholic was placed at the head of the city and its castle while the [[bourgeoisie]] formed a Catholic militia to protect Angers from the [[Huguenots]]. The bishop, [[Gabriel Bouvery]], organized on his side an "Angevin League".

When the news of the [[St. Bartholomew's Day massacre]] reached Angers, another massacre took place in the city. The bodies of slain Protestants were thrown into the [[Mayenne (river)|Mayenne]]. It was the [[aldermen]] who stopped the slaughter.<ref>Pierre Miquel, ''Op. cit.'', p. 286</ref>

In 1598, the [[Edict of Nantes]] was prepared by [[Henry IV of France|Henri IV]] in Angers. From 6 March until 2 April, Angers was the ''de facto'' capital of France and the King tried all means to satisfy the Catholics of the city, for example by laying the cornerstone of the new Capucine convent.

=== Classical period ===

[[File:Angers Merian 1657.jpg|thumb|left|The town is called ''Andegavum Angers'' on this 1657 engraving]]
In 1619, [[Louis XIII]] gave the governance of [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]] to his mother, [[Marie de' Medici]]. The Queen Mother settled in Angers, at the Logis Barrault, with her chaplain, [[Cardinal Richelieu]].

At the premature death of Louis XIII in 1643, his son [[Louis XIV]] was only an infant. France was troubled at this time by several famines and epidemics, and by political instability. In 1649, the people of Angers revolted against rising taxes, the start of the [[Fronde]] in [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]]. The [[Fronde]] was a nationwide military conflict opposing some aristocrats wanting more autonomy and the Royal forces loyal to [[Anne of Austria]] as Queen Mother and Regent, and her prime minister, [[Cardinal Mazarin]]. Royalist repression in Angers was narrowly averted by Bishop [[Henri Arnauld]], who interceded with the Queen Mother. Arnauld, who would remain Bishop of Angers until 1692, was to leave a deep mark on the religious life of the city during the second half of the 17th century.

In 1652, [[Henri Chabot]], Duke of [[Duchy of Rohan|Rohan]] and governor of [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]], decided to back [[Louis, Grand Condé|Louis of Condé]], leader of the [[Fronde]]. Angers again became rebellious and Louis XIV sent his army to seize it. The Duke of Rohan immediately surrendered and thus again prevented the sack of the city.

=== French Revolution ===

[[File:Cahier Angers.jpg|thumb|left|200px|One of the [[cahiers de doléances]] written in Angers in 1789]]
The first months of the [[French Revolution]] were relatively quiet in Angers. In 1789, the city lost its ancient administrative positions, replaced in 1790 by the [[department of France|department]] of ''Mayenne-et-Loire'', soon renamed "[[Maine-et-Loire]]". [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]], as a political entity, disappeared, although the new department included most of its territory.

The [[War in the Vendée|War of Vendée]], a Royalist rebellion and [[counterrevolution]] led in [[Vendée]], a department located at the southwest of [[Maine-et-Loire]], reached the [[Loire]] in March 1793. The Royalist army soon crossed the river and progressed as far as [[Granville, Manche|Granville]], in [[Normandy]], in November. Pushed back, the Vendéens went back south and, to cross the Loire again, had to attack Angers.

The city was defended by 4,000 Republican soldiers, whereas the Royalists were at least 20,000, but weakened by successive fights and deceases. The [[Siege of Angers]] occurred on 3 and 4 December 1793. The Royalists' bad tactics, as well as the strength of Angers city wall and castle, caused their loss. They consequently went back north for a while, around [[Le Mans]], before crossing the [[Loire]] at [[Ancenis]] on 16 December.

In 1794, fierce repression was conducted in the whole region against the Royalists. In Angers, 290 prisoners were shot and 1020 died of illness in jail.<ref>Jacques Hussenet (dir.), ''" Détruisez la Vendée ! "'', p. 452–453.</ref> The city also welcomed many refugees, mostly Republicans living in Royalist rural areas. Between 19 and 31 May 1793, between 650 and 1000 Republican families sought asylum in Angers.<ref>Guy-Marie Lenne, ''Les Réfugiés de la guerre de Vendée'', p. 20–25</ref>

=== Since 1800 ===

[[File:Hôtel ville Angers 1.jpg|thumb|The [[Hôtel de Ville, Angers|Hôtel de Ville]]]]
[[File:Pont de Segré (1).jpg|thumb|The ''Pont de Segré'', a truss railroad bridge built on the Maine during the second half of the 19th century]]
During the 19th century, the city was deeply influenced by the urban transformations in [[Paris]]. The city traditionally had a somewhat sombre appearance from the quantity of local [[slate]] used in construction but many quarters were gradually destroyed, redeveloped, or rebuilt on the Parisian model.{{sfnp|EB|1878}} The city wall, which formed a square around the old city core, was demolished around 1850 and replaced by wide boulevards. New districts of the city were also opened up on the opposite bank of the river.{{sfnp|EB|1878}}

The [[Hôtel de Ville, Angers|Hôtel de Ville]] (City Hall) was officially opened as a municipal building on 23 September 1823.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.angers.fr/vivre-a-angers/culture/patrimoine/angers-patrimoine/ressources/fiches-patrimoine/laissez-vous-conter-les-hotels-de-ville/index.html   |title=Laissez-vous conter les hôtels de ville|publisher=City of Angers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706165258/https://www.angers.fr/vivre-a-angers/culture/patrimoine/angers-patrimoine/ressources/fiches-patrimoine/laissez-vous-conter-les-hotels-de-ville/index.html|archive-date=6 July 2022}}</ref>

In 1849, the Angers-[[Saumur]] railway was built; it was extended to [[Nantes]] two years later. When completed, the line connected [[Paris]] to the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic coast]].

In 1850, a [[catastrophic failure]] of the [[Angers Bridge]] suspension bridge caused the deaths of over 200 soldiers. The disaster inhibited the construction of [[suspension bridge]]s in France for two decades. The accident was mainly caused by soldiers' lilting march which created [[resonance]] in the bridge structure.<ref>[http://www.art-et-histoire.com/index4o.php?segreap.php?Angers Base de connaissance Art et Histoire]</ref>

In 1875, a "free faculty" was created. It was soon assimilated to the medieval Angevin University ({{lang|la|Universitas Andegavensis}}), which had been dissolved during the [[French Revolution]]. The new faculty was canonically erected as the Catholic University of Angers ({{lang|fr|[[Catholic University of the West|Université catholique d'Angers]]}}) by [[Pope Pius IX]] in 1879. However, in 1890, a law prohibited private institutions of higher education from calling themselves "universities". The institution was then renamed the "Free Faculty of Angers" ({{lang|fr|Faculté libre d'Angers}}), although it kept its original name on an informal basis. At the beginning of the 20th century, two higher education establishments, specializing in agriculture and commercial sciences, were opened.

[[File:Fontaine du Mail zoomed - Angers - 20080803.JPG|thumb|left|The fountain in ''Jardin du Mail'', built for the [[Exposition Universelle (1900)|1900 Exposition Universelle]] in [[Paris]]]]
During the first half of the 20th century, several [[Art Nouveau]] and [[Art Deco]] buildings were constructed, such as the ''Nouvelles Galeries'', the ''Hotel des Postes'', ''Hotel Continental'', the ''Alcazar'' and the ''Maison bleue''.

In September 1939, when [[Poland]] was invaded by Germany, the [[Polish government-in-exile]] settled in Angers. It left the city on 12 June 1940, after the invasion of France by the ''[[Wehrmacht]]''. Angers fell to the [[Nazi]]s during the same month. The Germans made it the seat of a regional Kommandantur. In 1941, a first [[Resistance during World War II|Resistance]] movement, called ''Honneur et Patrie'', was created in Angers. 60 Resistants were shot at the Belle-Beille range in 1942 and a German bunker factory employed 6000 people in 1943.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lesplantagenets.fr |url=http://lesplantagenets.fr/index.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707111936/http://lesplantagenets.fr/index.php |archive-date=7 July 2012 |access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> In July 1942, 853 Jews were arrested and sent to [[Auschwitz concentration camp|Auschwitz]].<ref name="culture.cg49.fr">{{Cite web |editor-last=Conseil general de Maine-et-Loire |title=L'Anjou dans la seconde guerre mondiale |url=http://culture.cg49.fr/le-patrimoine/histoire/dhier-a-aujourdhui/}}</ref>

On the night of 28 May 1944, the first Allied bombing occurred over the Saint-Laud quarter. 243 people died and many others were wounded. Successive attacks on 29 and 30 May destroyed the train station and its surroundings<ref name="culture.cg49.fr" /> which were reconstructed in the 1950s.

After liberating [[Avranches]] and [[Rennes]], General [[George Patton]] and his 5th infantry division arrived in [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]] on 5 August. To seize Angers, they decided to enter the city by its eastern side to surprise the Nazis. On 9 August, they crossed the Maine and started the fight. Helped by the local [[French Forces of the Interior]], they progressively moved forward to the city center. The fight was nevertheless difficult and Angers was liberated the day after, at around 5 p.m.<ref>{{Cite web |editor-last=City website |title=Août 1944. Angers est libérée |url=http://www.angers.fr/decouvrir-angers/histoire-d-angers/chroniques-historiques/pour-s-informer/aout-1944-angers-est-liberee/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213142103/http://www.angers.fr/decouvrir-angers/histoire-d-angers/chroniques-historiques/pour-s-informer/aout-1944-angers-est-liberee/index.html |archive-date=13 February 2013 |access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref>

After the end of the war, the city experienced quick development and demographic growth. In 1971, a decision was made to reestablish a public university, and the Université catholique d'Angers was split between the [[Catholic University of the West|Université catholique de l'Ouest]] (private) and the [[University of Angers|Université d'Angers]] (public). Angers continues to have two different universities.

Until the 1980s, Angers experienced several massive urban development plans, such as the construction of the Lac de Maine, and several vast council estates and shopping malls, as well as the construction of a highway which crossed the city through its center, a project that forced the destruction of many old buildings and destroyed the original quays on the Maine. Later, other urban plans were drawn up, with a new emphasis on nature and heritage protection, as well as on social mixing. During the 1990s, the redevelopment of the Saint-Serge quarter, located just north of the historical center, produced a new business center, gardens and university buildings.
[[File:View of Angers on the Maine river from the castle.jpg|thumb|center|550px|View of Angers and the Maine river]]

== Administration ==

[[File:Angers - Palais de justice (1).jpg|thumb|The court of appeal in the ''Jardin du Mail'']]
Angers received its communal charter from [[Louis XI]] in February 1475, but free elections for the [[Mayor (France)|mayor]] and [[aldermen]] were not guaranteed before 1484, following a decision by [[Charles VIII of France|Charles VIII]]. Since then, 75 successive mayors have governed Angers.

Until the [[Second World War]], Angers was mainly governed by [[centrism|centrist]] and republican mayors. From 1977 until 2014, all the successive mayors were members of the [[Socialist Party (France)|Socialist Party]], whereas the [[Maine-et-Loire]] department has always been governed by moderate [[right-wing]] parties. The current mayor (as at May 2023) is Jean-Marc Verchère.<ref>Mairie d'Angers, [https://www.angers.fr/l-action-municipale/vos-elus/trombinoscope/index.html Trobinoscope], accessed 16 May 2023</ref>

Angers is divided into eight [[canton (France)|cantons]]; most of them include parts of Angers plus some surrounding communes. These cantons are not administrative entities and only serve to elect the members of the department council. The [[INSEE]], the French institute for statistics, divides the commune of Angers into twelve sectors. Depending on their social and economic issues, some of them can have priority for financial assistance and urban regeneration. In Angers, five are considered as priority sectors, three as sensitive urban areas, and one as an urban free zone.

Being the [[chef-lieu]] of [[Maine-et-Loire]], Angers is the seat of a [[préfectures in France|prefecture]]. It is also the seat of a [[Court of Appeal (France)|Court of Appeal]] and of several regional or local institutes, concerning for example, customs, education or science. Angers also has several other courts of justice as well as a [[prison]].

== Demographics ==

In 2017, Angers had 152,960 inhabitants, 1.2% more than ten years before.<ref name=pophis/> It is the 18th most populated [[commune (France)|commune]] in France. In 2018, the urban area (''unité urbaine''), which encompasses Angers plus eleven surrounding [[commune (France)|communes]] ({{convert|243.3|km2|1|sp=us|abbr=off}} in total), had 242,613 inhabitants.<ref name=compar/> The [[metropolitan area]] (''aire d'attraction'') included in 2018 81 communes, 432,939 inhabitants and {{convert|2419|km2|0|abbr=off}}.<ref name=compar/> The [[Communauté urbaine Angers Loire Métropole|Angers Loire Métropole]], an economic and political association of communes, includes 29 communes and around 313,000 inhabitants.<ref>[https://www.banatic.interieur.gouv.fr/intercommunalite/244900015-cu-angers-loire-metropole CU Angers Loire Métropole (N° SIREN : 244900015)], BANATIC. Accessed 14 October 2024.</ref>

The population of Angers is relatively young, with 46% of the population being younger than 30 and 22% of residents over 60 years old.<ref name=pophis/> This is partially explained by the presence of two universities, 21.0% of the population between 15 and 64 being pupils and students in 2017.<ref name="complet">[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2011101?geo=COM-49007#figure-5-1 Dossier complet, Commune d'Angers (49007)], INSEE</ref>

{{Historical populations
| title       = Historical population
| type        = France
| align    = center
| cols     = 3
| graph-pos = bottom
| percentages = pagr
| source    = ''Base Cassini'' from EHESS (1793-1999)<ref name="fcass">{{Cassini-Ehess|804|Angers}}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2017)<ref name="pophis">{{Cite web |title=Évolution et structure de la population en 2017 |url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-49007 |access-date=13 August 2020 |publisher=Insee}}</ref>
| 1793|33900
| 1800|33000
| 1806|29187
| 1821|29873
| 1831|32743
| 1836|35901
| 1841|39884
| 1846|44781
| 1851|46599
| 1856|50726
| 1861|51797
| 1866|54791
| 1872|58464
| 1876|56846
| 1881|68049
| 1886|73044
| 1891|72669
| 1896|77164
| 1901|82398
| 1906|82935
| 1911|83786
| 1921|86158
| 1926|86260
| 1931|85602
| 1936|87988
| 1946|94408
| 1954|102142
| 1962|115252
| 1968|128533
| 1975|137591
| 1982|136038
| 1990|141404
| 1999|151279
| 2007|151108
| 2012|149017
| 2017|152960
}}

== Economy ==

[[File:Liqueur cointreau.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A bottle of [[Cointreau]], a liqueur produced in Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou, near Angers, since 1849]]
The early prosperity of the town was largely due to the nearby [[quarry|quarries]] of [[slate]], whose abundant use for the roofs of Angers led to its sobriquet as the "Black City". In the mid-19th century, the principal manufactures were goods for [[sailing ship]]s ([[sailcloth]] and [[rope]]), [[linen]] and [[hosiery|hose]], [[sugar]], [[leather]], [[wax]], and [[oil]], as well as agricultural products (mainly [[wheat]], [[wine]], and [[fruit]]).{{sfnp|EB|1878}} By the time of the [[First World War]], [[Cointreau]] had developed the distillation of [[liqueur]]s from the area's fruit to an industrial level. The work for sailing ships was still carried on but [[steamship]]s had greatly reduced demand. Instead, local companies produced [[Electrical cable|cable]]s, [[wire]]s, and [[thread (yarn)|thread]] and increased production of [[footwear]], [[umbrella]]s, and [[parasol]]s. The area's vineyards focused on [[sparkling wine]] and fruit was increasingly [[preserved fruit|preserved]] for sale elsewhere. The area had also developed a small-scale [[textile industry]] and begun producing machines, as well as commercial-scale production of [[hemp]] and [[flower]]s.{{sfnp|EB|1911}}

Present-day Angers provides 45.7% of the [[Maine-et-Loire]] job positions. It is the 22nd-largest national job provider and the 3rd-largest one in northwestern France after [[Nantes]] and [[Rennes]]. Its unemployment rate (13.5% in 2017) is above the national rate. 20.7% of the people working in Angers have graduate or post-graduate qualifications.<ref name=complet/>

Cointreau continues to produce its orange triple-sec liqueur in nearby [[Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou]], but many of the other industries have since vanished. Modern Angers produces [[Scania (company)|Scania]] [[truck]]s at [[Écouflant]] and computers by [[Groupe Bull|Bull]], [[Packard Bell]], and [[NEC]]. It also supports research labs investigating horticulture and biotechnology. Thanks to its several higher education schools, laboratories, and various offices, Angers is the largest horticultural center in [[Europe]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Website of the école Supérieure d'Agriculture d'Angers. |url=http://www.groupe-esa.com/article436.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902130341/http://www.groupe-esa.com/article436.html |archive-date=2 September 2011 |access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> and, as the home of the [[Community Plant Variety Office]], Angers is the hub of the [[plant breeders' rights]] system in the [[European Community]]. For example, Angers is the leading hydrangeas producer in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vidéos : Angers.fr |url=http://www.angers.fr/actualites/videos/index.html?tx_angersvideos_pi1%5Bvideo_id%5D=1380&cHash=8fe4019e2ff9623588d8179d0c89422b |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172236/http://www.angers.fr/actualites/videos/index.html?tx_angersvideos_pi1%5Bvideo_id%5D=1380&cHash=8fe4019e2ff9623588d8179d0c89422b |archive-date=23 September 2015 |access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref> The local economy also relies on the presence of many administrative, educational, and health institutions. There are also many small firms, chiefly focused on the agricultural tradition of [[Maine-et-Loire]]. Angers also serves as a regional financial center, with many banks and insurance companies (including [[Afone]], [[CNP Assurances]], [[Crédit Agricole]], Fiducial, and [[Groupama]]) maintaining their regional offices there.

Angers is an important convention center, with a present convention trade of around €8,000,000. The new convention center slated for 2016 has been cancelled in 2013.<ref>[http://www.courrierdelouest.fr/actualite/angers-abandon-du-nouveau-centre-des-congres-un-reniement-de-plus-05-07-2013-113446 Angers. Abandon du nouveau Centre des congrès : "Un reniement de plus !"]</ref> The renovation of the previous convention center and the addition of a 400 conference room at the back by the garden should be finished in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le projet de rénovation du centre de congrès est lancé : Angers.fr |url=http://www.angers.fr/actualites/detail/article/12217-le-projet-de-renovation-du-centre-de-congres-est-lance/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172200/http://www.angers.fr/actualites/detail/article/12217-le-projet-de-renovation-du-centre-de-congres-est-lance/index.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |access-date=2015-08-09}}</ref> The ''Parc des Expositions'', where fairs are currently held, welcomes 600,000 visitors and more than 300 events each year. With its {{convert|27000|m2|0|sp=us|abbr=on}}, it is the biggest structure of its type in northwestern France.<ref name="plan">{{Cite web |title=Map of the Parc des Expositions |url=http://www.angers-expo-congres.com/pdf_infos/salons.pdf}}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Health and education ==

[[File:Angers - UFR d'économie.jpg|thumb|The Faculty of Law and Economics]]
The ''Hôtel-Dieu'', founded in the 12th century, is one of the oldest hospitals in France. First located in the ''Hospice Saint-Jean'', it moved into new buildings in 1870; it became [[Teaching Hospital|Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU)]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=CHU info |url=http://www.chu-angers.fr/?IDINFO=202_15178_36053 |publisher=chu-angers.fr}}</ref> in 1966. It has 1,500 beds and around 5,500 people work there.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923203139/http://www.chu-angers.fr/data/info/29827-ChiffresCles_2008.pdf ''Les chiffres clés 2008''] on the hospital website</ref> Two private hospitals and a regional center for re-education also exist.

A center of learning, Angers boasts two renowned universities and several specialized institutions, altogether enrolling more than 26,000 students.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 November 2009 |title=Teaching, research and industry |url=http://www.angers.fr/foreign-versions/english-version/teaching-research-and-industry/index.html |access-date=15 September 2011 |publisher=Angers.fr}}</ref> The [[Catholic University of the West]] ({{lang|fr|Université Catholique de L'Ouest}} or UCO) is one of five Catholic universities in France. UCO is best known for its International Center for the Study of the French Language ({{lang|fr|[[Centre international d'étude de la langue française]]}} or CIDEF), which provides college students from around the world with college-level course instruction in the French language, and for its Institute for the Development of Consulting and Business ({{lang|fr|Institut pour le developpement du conseil et de l'entreprise}} or [[IDCE]]), an important [[business school]] which offers undergraduate and graduate (MBA) degrees in International Business and Consulting. The town is also home to a state university, the [[University of Angers]], best university in France in 2015 for success rates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meilleure université de France : l'université d'Angers sur la première marche du podium |url=https://www.linternaute.com/actualite/education/1240889-meilleure-universite-de-france-l-universite-d-angers-sur-la-premiere-marche-du-podium/ |website=www.linternaute.com|date=22 July 2015 }}</ref>

[[File:ENSAM, Angers.jpg|right|thumb|[[Arts et Métiers ParisTech]]]]
Angers is also home to engineering graduate schools, such as the [[Arts et Métiers ParisTech]], top school in mechanical and industrial engineering and the [[École supérieure d'électronique de l'Ouest|ESEO]], an engineering school in electronics and computer science and [[École supérieure angevine en informatique et productique|ESAIP]], an engineering school in risk management and environment. Its education and [[research institute]]s are the driving force behind the city's science and technology industries. Angers's other educational institutions include ''[[Secondary education in France#Lycée|lycées]]'', training colleges, and a school of fine art.

Another Angers's Business School is [[ESSCA]] ({{lang|fr|École Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d'Angers}}). Formerly part of the UCO, the school's Master's program is of a duration of five years. ESSCA recruits students after the [[Baccalaureat]].

In addition to French schools and universities, an American university, [[St. Edward's University]], has a new expanding campus in Angers. St. Edward's University is a diverse, Catholic liberal arts institution from [[Austin, Texas]]. The university has a partnership with UCO, and offers a variety of courses of undergraduate level and professional training.

{{clear}}

== Transport ==

[[File:Tramway d'Angers à la gare St-Laud par Cramos.JPG|thumb|A tram approaching "Les Gares" stop]]
{{Angers Tramway}}
Angers is situated on the crossroads of three highways, the [[A11 autoroute|A11]], to [[Paris]] and [[Nantes]], the [[Autoroute A87|A87]] to [[La Roche-sur-Yon]] and the [[Autoroute A85|A85]] to [[Tours]] and [[Lyon]]. National roads connect the city with [[Rennes]], [[Caen]] and [[Laval, Mayenne|Laval]].

Before the construction of bypasses during the 2000s, the A11 crossed the city center, following the river Maine, and passed just below the castle. Causing air pollution and noise and disfiguring the Maine quays, the portions of the former highway which are still in place should be redeveloped in the coming years.

Angers inaugurated the new Irigo<ref>{{Cite web |title=Irigo.fr : site officiel des transports en commun de l'agglomération d'Angers |url=http://bustram.irigo.fr/index.php |access-date=2017-05-09 |website=bustram.irigo.fr |language=fr}}</ref> [[tram]] system on 25 June 2011. The [[Angers tramway|tramway]] consists of one {{convert|12|km|2|sp=us|abbr=on}} line with 25 stops. The line runs from Avrillé-Ardenne in the north to Angers-Roseraie in the south, passing by the center and the train station. Service is provided by Keolis using 17 [[Alstom Citadis]] trams.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2011 |title=Angers tram opens |work=Railway Gazette |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/angers-tram-opens.html |access-date=1 July 2011 |archive-date=13 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013021813/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/angers-tram-opens.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The system uses partial [[ground-level power supply]], which avoids aerial wires and preserves the historical character of the city center. A second line is scheduled for 2018–2022. Besides the tram, Irigo also organizes the bus network in Angers consisting of 13 urban lines and 12 suburban lines.

The bus station, situated outside the [[Gare d'Angers-Saint-Laud|Angers Saint-Laud]] train station, is a hub for the departmental bus network (''Anjoubus'') and is also served by international bus companies.

Angers is on both the [[Nantes]]-[[Paris]] and [[Nantes]]-[[Lyon]] railways. The city has several train stations, all originally built in the 19th century. Some are still in use; others are closed or reserved for freight. The main station, [[Gare d'Angers-Saint-Laud|Angers Saint-Laud]], is on a [[TGV]] line and has direct [[TGV]] services to [[Paris]] (1 hour 30 minutes), [[Lyon]] (3 hours 45 minutes), [[Strasbourg]] (4 hours 35 minutes), and [[Lille]] (3 hours 25 minutes), as well as [[Avignon]], [[Marseille]] and [[Montpellier]]. Regional trains go to [[Cholet]], [[Saumur]], [[Tours]], [[Blois]], [[Nevers]] and [[Bourges]].

The nearest airport is [[Angers - Loire Airport]], which replaced in 1998 an older airport near the Saint-Aubin island. The airport is located in the commune of [[Marcé]], {{convert|20|km|0|sp=us|abbr=off}} from Angers and close to the A11 and the A85. It can receive 50,000 passengers per year.

== Culture ==

=== Main sights ===

[[File:Maison Adam Angers.jpg|thumb|upright|The ''Maison d'Adam'' (''Adam's House'') was built around 1500]]
The [[Château d'Angers]], built on a [[schist]] promontory, dominates the river [[Maine (river)|Maine]] and the old town. Its site has been occupied since antiquity; the castle itself was built between 1230 and 1240 by [[Louis IX of France]]. The massive walls are about one kilometer long and punctuated by 17 towers; they were built with horizontal slices of [[tuff]] and [[schist]], giving it strength and an original striped look. During the 15th century, a chapel and the Châtelet were added in the courtyard.

The ''{{Interlanguage link|Maison d'Adam|fr}}'' ("Adam's House"), located behind the cathedral, is an excellent example of the half-timbered houses which were built during the [[Middle Ages]]. Many similar houses, although smaller, are also visible along the streets around the castle. The city also displays several [[Renaissance]] and [[classical architecture|classical]] [[hôtel particulier|hôtels particuliers]], the most renowned being the ''Logis Pincé'' from the 16th century. The ''Maison bleue'' ("Blue House"), built in 1927, is an [[Art Deco]] masterpiece. The former seat of the French Aviation Company ({{lang|fr|Compagnie française d'Aviation}}) was built in 1938 and abandoned during the [[Second World War]]. Totally refurbished in 2004, it is now a testimony to 1930s architecture.

The [[Angers Cathedral]] is a major landmark in the cityscape, with its two spires culminating at {{convert|75|m|sp=us}}. The construction of the current building started during the 12th century on the remains of an older sanctuary. The original structure, [[romanesque architecture|romanesque]], received gothic columns and vaults in the middle of the 12th century, giving birth to the Angevin [[gothic architecture|gothic]], a style that quickly spread in Western France and the Angevin possessions in [[Italy]]. Sculptures and architectural details were added to the façade during the 16th century. The twin spires were built in 1518 and 1523. The neighbouring ''Palais du Tau'', the former episcopal palace, dates from the 12th century.

The skyline is also marked by the ''Tour Saint-Aubin''. Completed in 1170, it was the bell-tower of an abbey closed during the [[French Revolution]] and destroyed in 1810. Elaborately sculptured 11th and 12th century arcades also survive in the courtyard of the Prefecture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eglise Saint Aubin |url=http://catholique-angers.cef.fr/site/im_user/118couverture_20041_petit.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050111095823/http://catholique-angers.cef.fr/site/im_user/118couverture_20041_petit.jpg |archive-date=11 January 2005 |access-date=2 July 2006}}</ref> Another abbey, the ''Abbaye Toussaint'', founded during the 13th century, was also partially pulled down and only the church and parts of the cloister are still visible. On the southern limits of the commune, close to the Maine, stands the ''Couvent de la Baumette'', founded during the 15th century by [[René of Anjou]].

La Doutre, an old quarter located on the western bank of the Maine and facing the castle, contains two major medieval sites, the former ''Abbaye du Ronceray'', built during the 11th and 12th century, and the ''Hôpital Saint-Jean'', founded by [[Henry II of England]] and used as the city hospital until 1870.

<gallery class="center">
File:Chateau angers porte interieur gauche.jpg|The distinctive striped towers of the castle
File:Château angers jardin châtelet.jpg|The Châtelet in the castle
File:Maison de Simon Poisson - Angers - 20100801.jpg|House Poisson
File:Maison du Croissant, facade - Angers - 20110119.jpg|Façade of House of Croissant
File:P1020272 Angers Logis Pincé reductwk.JPG|Logis Pincé
File:La Maison Bleue - Angers - 20110119.jpg|The "Blue House"
File:Saint-Maurice cathedral, west facade. Angers, France.jpg|The cathedral
File:Angers - Nef cathédrale Saint-Maurice.jpg|Inside the cathedral
File:Palais épiscopal du Tau - Angers - 20101126.jpg|Palace of Tau
File:P1020199 Angers Tour Saint-Aubin reductwk.JPG|Tower of Saint-Aubin
File:Église abbatiale de l'abbaye du Ronceray.jpg|Abbey of Ronceray
File:Abbaye st Nicolas d'Angers.jpg|Abbey of Saint Nicholas (Mother-House of [[Good Shepherd Sisters]])
File:The bridges over Maine (view from the Angers Castle).JPG|The bridges over Maine (view from the Angers Castle)
</gallery>

=== Museums ===

[[File:Tapisserie de l'apocalypse.jpg|thumb|The ''[[Apocalypse Tapestry]]'']]
The [[Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Angers]], located in the [[Renaissance]] ''Logis Barrault'', displays a collection of paintings and sculptures dating from the 14th century to today. It is particularly renowned for its 18th-century paintings, including works by [[Jean-Baptiste Greuze]], [[Van Loo]], [[Antoine Watteau]], [[Jean-Honoré Fragonard]], and [[Jean Siméon Chardin]]. The museum also contains a graphic design studio, a gallery devoted to the history of Angers and a temporary exhibition gallery. The institution has an annexe at the château in [[Villevêque]], a village located several kilometers north of the city.

Inside the [[château d'Angers|castle]], a special gallery displays the ''[[Apocalypse Tapestry]]'', ordered by [[Louis I of Naples]] at the end of the 14th century. It is more than {{convert|140|m|sp=us}} long, the largest medieval tapestry in the world. Inspired by [[miniature (illuminated manuscript)|manuscript miniatures]], the successive scenes, designed by [[Jean Bondol]], illustrate the [[Book of Revelation|Apocalypse of St John]].

Located inside the old ''Hôpital Saint-Jean'', the ''Musée Jean-Lurçat et de la tapisserie contemporaine'' displays tapestries dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum is dedicated to [[Jean Lurçat]], an artist noted for his role in the revival of contemporary tapestry, and notably exhibits his "''Chant du Monde''", a modern echo to the ''Apocalypse Tapestry'' made after the bombing of [[Hiroshima]].

The [[Muséum d'histoire naturelle d'Angers]] has been located in the 1521 Hôtel Demarie-Valentin since 1885. It exhibits a large collection of mounted animals and fossils, divided in three departments, one for [[zoology]], one for [[botany]] and the last one for [[paleontology]] and [[geology]].

The ''Logis Pincé'', constructed during the [[Renaissance]], is the home of the museum of the same name. It displays Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities as well as Chinese and Japanese artifacts.

Located in the ''Abbaye Toussaint'', the ''Galerie David d'Angers'' gathers sculptures, reliefs, and medallions by [[David d'Angers]], a 19th-century sculptor born in the city. The gallery also owns the preparatory works for the [[Panthéon, Paris|Panthéon of Paris]] pediment.

Angers also enjoys a ''Maison de l'Architecture'', which organizes various exhibitions and workshops, as well as several temporary exhibition galleries distributed in the city center. Outside the commune limits are also an aviation museum and a museum of communications.

<gallery class="center">
File:P1020234 Angers Musée des beaux-arts rwk.JPG|The Musée des Beaux-Arts
File:Genies.jpg|''Les Génies des Arts'' by [[François Boucher]], at the Musée des Beaux-Arts
File:Hanno.mahout clean.jpg|Italian drawing, 17th century, at the Musée des Beaux-Arts
File:Hopital-St-Jean-Angers (3).JPG|Musée Jean-Lurçat
File:Galerie David d'Angers (1).jpg|Galerie David d'Angers
File:David d'Angers - Profil de Charles-Artus de Bonchamps.jpg|Galerie David d'Angers
</gallery>

=== Entertainment and performing arts ===

[[File:P1320004 Angers Grand theatre rwk.jpg|thumb|The Grand Théâtre]]
The Grand Théâtre, dominating the Place du Ralliement, was first built in 1791, but destroyed by a fire in 1853. The existing building was completed in 1871 and its auditorium contains six stalls and four balconies, totalling 730 seats. The Théâtre du Quai, inaugurated in 2007, has two auditoriums: one contains 980 seats and several balconies, and the other, more flexible, can welcome 400 seated or 960 standing spectators. The Grand Théâtre and the Théâtre du Quai are the venues of three institutions, [[Angers-Nantes Opéra]], an opera company also based in [[Nantes]], the Contemporary Dance National Center (CNDC), inaugurated by [[Alwin Nikolais]] in 1978, and the Nouveau théâtre d'Angers (NTA).

The [[Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire]], shared with Nantes, usually performs at the Congress Center, built in 1983, with a capacity of 1,240 seats. Other concert halls include the ''Chabada'', the ''Amphitéa'' and the former Ursuline chapel. Local theater companies perform at Théâtre Chanzy, Théâtre du Champ de Bataille, Théâtre de la Comédie or at the Centre Jean Vilar. Each September, the city organizes a street performance festival, called the ''Accroche-Cœurs''.

The ''Chabada'', a popular concert hall, is the cradle of the Angevin contemporary scene and several groups and performers were discovered there, [[Les Thugs]], a [[punk rock|punk]] band formed in 1983, being the first ones. The local scene also includes the [[alternative rock]] group [[La Ruda]], the [[power pop]] band [[Pony Pony Run Run]], the [[world music]] band [[Lo'Jo]] and [[Titi Robin]], a performer influenced by [[Gypsy style|Gypsy]] and [[Arabic music]].

The Premiers Plans festival, dedicated to European first films and meant to help new directors meet their audience, is conducted every year and lasts one week. The films are screened in three small cinemas, while two big [[generalist channel|generalist multiplexes]] also exist in Angers.

=== Media ===

Angers had a local TV channel ''Angers 7'' which went bankrupt in 2010 and was replaced 3 years later by ''Angers Télé''. The national French channel [[France 3]], however, still presents local news in its programs. Several national radio stations, such as [[Virgin Radio (France)|Virgin Radio]], [[NRJ Radio|NRJ]] and [[Chérie FM]] maintain local antennas in Angers. The city is also the home of two local stations, ''Radio Campus'' and ''Radio G!''. ''[[Ouest-France]]'' and ''[[Le Courrier de l'Ouest]]'' are the two local newspapers, the last one having its headquarters in Angers. The city and [[Communauté urbaine Angers Loire Métropole|Angers Loire Métropole]] also edit their news bulletins.

== Sport ==

[[File:Tribune et supporters JB.jpg|thumb|[[Stade Raymond Kopa|Raymond Kopa Stadium]]]]
Angers has many sport teams playing at top levels. [[Angers SCO]] is Angers's [[football team]]. The club was created in 1919 and returned to [[Ligue 1]] (French top league) in 2015 after 21 years. Les [[Ducs d'Angers]] is Angers's [[ice hockey]] team. The club plays in the [[Magnus League]] (first division). Anjou BC is Angers's [[Basketball|basketball team]], playing in second division. Vaillante Angers is Angers's table tennis team playing in top division Pro A since the 2000–2001 season. Angers also acts as home to the Angers Aviron Nautique, a [[rowing club]] which actively competes in regattas across France.

[[Stade Raymond Kopa|Raymond Kopa Stadium]] is the main sports venue which can hold 18,000 people. The city also has a variety of sports halls, tennis courts, swimming pools, shooting and archery stands, a velodrome, a rowing center, an ice rink and a fencing hall. The [[Lac de Maine Stadium]] hosted the athletics championships in France in July 2009.

== Notable people ==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

* [[Joan of England, Queen of Sicily]] (1165–1199), Queen of Sicily.<ref>{{Cite DNB|wstitle= Joan (1165-1199) |last= Norgate |first= Kate |author-link= Kate Norgate |volume=29 |pages=386-388|short=1}}</ref>
* [[René of Anjou]] (1409–1480), Duke of Anjou and Count of Provence.<ref>{{cite EB9 |wstitle= René, Duke of Anjou |volume= II |page=58-59 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Guillaume Poyet]] (ca.1473–1548), a French magistrate.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Poyet, Guillaume |volume= 22 |page=238 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Jean Bodin]] (1529–1596), philosopher and jurist.<ref>{{cite CE1913|wstitle= Jean Bodin |volume= 2 |last= Goyau |first= Pierre-Louis-Théophile-Georges |author-link= Georges Goyau |short=1}}</ref>
* [[François Guyet]] (1575–1655), philologist
* [[Gilles Ménage]] (1613–1692), a French scholar.<ref>{{Cite AmCyc |wstitle= Ménage, Gilles |volume= XI |last= |first= |short=1 }}</ref>
* [[Joseph Proust]] (1754–1826), chemist responsible for [[Law of definite proportions|Proust's law]]
* [[Michel Eugène Chevreul]] (1786–1889), chemist
* [[David d'Angers]] (1788–1856), sculptor.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= David, Pierre Jean |volume= 7 |page=862 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Charles Négrier]] (1792-1862), physician, military doctor, medical researcher and academic
* [[François-Joseph Grille]] (1792–1853), librarian
* [[Germanicus Mirault]] (1796–1879), surgeon
* [[Prosper Ménière]] (1799–1862), physician
* [[Frédéric Alfred Pierre, comte de Falloux]] (1811–1886), a French politician and author.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Falloux, Frédéric Alfred Pierre |volume= 10 |page=155 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Zacharie Astruc]] (1835–1907), artist
* [[René Bazin]] (1853–1932), writer and educator.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Bazin, René |volume= 3 |page=561 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Renée Marie Gouraud dʻAblancourt]] (1853-1941), writer
* [[Fernand Charron]] (1866–1921), pioneer of motor racing and automobile manufacturing
* [[Jean Bosler]] (1878–1973), astronomer
* [[Yves de la Casinière]] (1897–1971), composer
* [[Jean-Adrien Mercier]] (1899–1995), illustrator, poster artist, and advertising designer
* [[Jean Durtal]] (1905–1999), poet and novelist
* [[Hervé Bazin]] (1911–1996), writer
* [[Henri Dutilleux]] (1916–2013), composer
* [[Joseph Wresinski]] (1917–1988), humanitarian activist
* [[André Bazin]] (1918–1958), critic of the [[French New Wave]]
* [[Fernande Grudet]] (1923–2015), brothel-keeper
* [[Jacques Bompaire]] (1924–2009), Hellenist
* [[Jacques Loussier]] (1934–2019), composer and [[Jazz piano|jazz pianist]]
* [[Evelyne de Pontbriand]] (1950–2024), winemaker
* [[Valerie Trierweiler]] (born 1965), political journalist and author
* [[Eriq Ebouaney]] (born 1967), actor
* [[Vincent Boussard]] (born 1969), opera and theatre director
* [[Caroline Giron-Panel]] (born 1979), historian and musicologist
* [[Nicolas Mahut]] (born 1982), tennis player
* [[Juliana Mialoundama]] (born 1993), basketball player
* [[Sofiane Boufal]] (born 1993), football player
* [[Adèle Castillon]] (born 2001), a musician
* [[Désiré Doué]] (born 2005), football player

{{div col end}}

== Twin towns – sister cities ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}}
Angers is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Les villes jumelles |url=http://www.angers.fr/l-action-municipale/relations-internationales/les-villes-jumelles/index.html |access-date=2021-04-21 |website=angers.fr |publisher=Angers |language=fr}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

* {{flagicon|NED}} [[Haarlem]], Netherlands (1964)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Osnabrück]], Germany (1964)
* {{flagicon|MLI}} [[Bamako]], Mali (1974)
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Pisa]], Italy (1982)
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Metropolitan Borough of Wigan|Wigan]], United Kingdom (1988)
* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Södertälje Municipality|Södertälje]], Sweden (1998)
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Yantai]], China (2006)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], United States (2011)
* {{flagicon|POL}} [[Toruń]], Poland (2011)

{{div col end}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|France}}

* [[Pays de la Loire]]
* [[Abbey of Saint-Aubin]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==

* {{cite EB9 |mode=cs2 |wstitle=Angers |volume=2 |ref={{harvid|EB|1878}} |page=29 }}
* {{cite EB1911 |mode=cs2 |wstitle=Angers |volume=2 |ref={{harvid|EB|1911}} |pages=8–9}}

== Further reading ==
{{See also|Timeline of Angers#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Angers}}

* {{Cite book |last=Célestin Port |title=Dictionnaire historique, géographique et biographique de Maine-et-Loire et de l'ancienne province d'Anjou |publisher=H. Siraudeau et Cie |year=1989 |isbn=978-2-85672-008-0 |location=Angers |language=fr |author-link=Célestin Port}}
* {{Cite book |last=Tancrède Abraham |title=Angers et ses environs. Album de gravures à l'eau-forte |publisher=J.-B. Bezier |year=1876 |location=Château-Gontier |language=fr}}
* {{Cite book |last=Daniel Schweitz |title=Châteaux et forteresses du Moyen Âge en Val de Loire, Touraine, Anjou, Berry, Orléanais, Vendômois, Marche bretonne |publisher=CLD |year=2006 |isbn=978-2-85443-490-3 |location=Tours |language=fr}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jean-François Bodin |title=Recherches historiques sur l'Anjou et ses monumens: Angers et le Bas-Anjou, Volume 2 |publisher=Degouy |year=1823 |isbn=978-2-85443-490-3 |language=fr}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Angers}}
{{Commons}}

* [http://www.angers.fr/foreign-versions/english-version/ Official website]
* [http://www.angersloiretourisme.com/en/ Angers Tourist Office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124150034/http://www.angersloiretourisme.com/en |date=24 January 2013 }}
* [http://quarriesandbeyond.org/articles_and_books/a_visit_to_slate_quarries.html "A Visit to the Slate Quarries of Angers", France, article from the ''Scientific American'' – Supplement No. 974, Munn & Co., New York, 1894, on Stone Quarries and Beyond.]

{{Cities in France}}
{{Préfectures of départements of France}}
{{Maine-et-Loire communes}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Angers| ]]
[[Category:Communes of Maine-et-Loire]]
[[Category:Prefectures in France]]
[[Category:Cities in France]]
[[Category:Andes (Andecavi)]]
[[Category:Gallia Lugdunensis]]