Nestled in the western part of the Loire Valley, Angers is surrounded by rivers, vineyards and villages.
Explore charming alleyways, visit small churches and enjoy the peace and quiet.
In this article, we share our selection of the most beautiful villages around Angers to help you plan your stay.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
The most beautiful villages around Angers: selection
The Loire Valley is brimming with charming villages and small towns full of character. The list can be very long.
We have:
- selected our favorites and best-known
- listed in order of distance from town
- limited to less than 1 hour's drive from the city
To find all our favorite villages around the Loire castles, see this other article.
1. Béhuard (30min)
Why do we love it?
Béhuard is a very well hidden village. It is known by the locals, but much less by visitors to the region.
It is unique because it is located on a small island between 2 arms of the Loire. So don't miss the entrance from the bridges!
We love to stroll along its main street with the pretty houses along the water.
And we advise you not to miss the village church. It stands on a rock, just a little higher than the rest of the village.
Access to the village from Angers
- Between Angers and Nantes, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Angers = 30min
Practical information
- Allow 30min to explore the whole village
- Flat visit
- Large parking lot at the entrance of the village.
- Attention, in case of flood of the Loire, the village will not be accessible
- A creperie / bar
- This village has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Béhuard
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
2. Savennières (30 min)
Why do we love it?
Right next to the Loire River, this site was populated in prehistoric times.
The village developed in the Gallo-Roman period.
But what makes the charm of Savennières are the superb manors and the presbytery, built by the aristocracy of Anjou in the XVIIIth century.
Don't miss the church, which is considered one of the oldest in the region.
And another (very) good reason to visit Savennières is the presence of vineyards all around.
Access to the village from Angers
- To the southwest of Angers
- Driving time from Angers = 25min
Practical information
- Allow 30min to 1h to explore the center of the village, more to enjoy the vineyards around
- Easy to explore
- Parking on the Place du Mail or near the railroad tracks
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Savennières
WHERE TO STAY IN Angers
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Downtown, to enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
Hôtel L'Oisellerie - see photos and availability
Hotel 21, Foch - prices, pictures and availability
In the surrounding countryside, for greater peace and quiet
Hotel Château des Forges - see photos and availability
3. Saint-Florent-le-Vieil (45 min)
Why do we love it?
Saint-Florent-le-Vieil is a city, but if you concentrate on the part along the Loire, it really looks like a village:
The walk along the water is one of the most beautiful moments of the Loire by bike.
To go back up to the abbey, the alleys are very sloping, narrow and charming, between nature and stones.
And at the top you will discover the abbey and its panoramas on the Loire valley.
What more could you ask for?
Access to the village from Angers
- Between Nantes and Angers, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Angers = 50min
Practical information
- Allow 2 hours to explore the Loire River and the abbey church
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Very sloping
- Parking around the abbey and on the banks of the Loire
- A good choice of restaurants / cafes
- This city has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Saint-Florent-Le-Vieil
4. Oudon (50 min)
Why do we love it?
The houses here have a little less charm, but we liked the combination of 3 elements;
- the medieval castle and its keep overlooking the town,
- the valley of Le Havre with its charming riversides,
- and the works of art installed all around the city, on the route of sculptures with very varied styles.
And just outside the city, don't miss the menhir of the Pierre Blanche which is 4,30m high. And the legend tells that the stone turns on itself, once a year, at midnight? Unfortunately, only the elves know the date, so we can't advise you when to visit...
Access to the village from Angers
- Between Nantes and Angers along the Loire River
- Driving time from Angers = 50 min
Practical information
- Allow 2 hours to explore the entire center and the castle
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Some slopes
- Parking at Square du Havre
- Some restaurants / cafes
- View the best rated accommodations around Oudon
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire, register:
5. Candes-Saint-Martin and Monsoreau (1h)
Why do we love it?
Candes-Saint-Martin still offers a very different experience.
This place is also sometimes listed as Montsoreau.
The 2 villages are actually next to each other: the charming village is Candes but the famous castle on the banks of the Loire is in Montsoreau.
The village is located at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire, a strategic location that allowed the village to develop as a river port.
Here, we like the many houses made of tufa stone, typical of the region and we are sure that you will be surprised by the facade of the church!
Access to the village from Angers
- Between Angers and Tours, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Angers = 1h
Practical information
- Allow 1.5 hours to explore the entire village and the road to the panorama. Add 1h30 to visit the castle of Montsoreau
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets and slopes
- Parking lots at the ends of the village. Very few places in the village
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- See the best rated accommodations around Candes-Saint-Martin
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Other villages and towns close to Angers
Les Ponts-de-Cé
Just 15 minutes from the center of Angers, on the Loire River
It is famous for its bridge over the Loire and the remains of its château.
In the castle you'll find the Museum of Dress and Traditions.
A historical tour takes you around the iconic buildings.
Le Thoureil
35min away, along the Loire
With its history of inland navigation, you'll find several traditional boats at the foot of the houses.
Baugé-en-Anjou
45 min drive from Angers
This small town boasts several surprising historic buildings, including its castle
More ideas in the Loire Valley:
- Best villages around Saumur - see list
- Best villages around Tours - see list
- Best villages around Blois - see list
DISCOVER Angers
- Things to do in Angers
- Where to sleep in Angers: best hotels
- Where to eat in Angers: best restaurants
- Rent a car in Angers
- Visit the Château d'Angers
- Visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Angers - coming soon
- Château de Brissac
- Terra Botanica
- Best castles around Angers
- Most beautiful villages around Angers
