Located in a quiet area, a few kilometers from downtown Angers, the Château des Forges offers a relaxing experience in a small castle with large rooms in the heart of a 6 hectare park!
In this article, we take a look at our experience in photos and provide all the practical information you need to live your own 21st century castle life!
This review is completely independent, we stayed anonymously and paid our bill in full.
Why sleep at Château des Forges (Slow Village)
After spending a pleasant night there, the castle of Forges has certainly something more for us:
- Just a few minutes from the city of Angers, you take a small path that takes you out of the urban "madness", to immerse yourself in a ocean of nature and calmwith a park of 6 hectares overlooking the valley of Saint-Aubin and the lower valleys of Anjou, without a building on the horizon!
- Between a large bourgeois family house and a small castle, one can feel the passion of the antique dealer who has ensured an impeccable restoration of this house built in the 19th century by an Anjou industrialist, Germain Bouyonnet-Belize. Not completely the life of a castle as we have experienced in other hotels in the Loire, but a beautiful building that has character and charm!
- Ifspace is a luxury, the rooms at the Chateau des Forges are certainly luxurious (we almost got lost in the bathroom!) and tastefully decorated in a contemporary style.
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Is the Slow Village - Château des Forges worth it? Our review
The château des Forges, at the gates of Angers, aims to offer a contemporary vision of château life, even a trendy one, far from the world and the basic comfort of the Renaissance. Its many other assets make it, for us, an unmissable hotel at the gates of Angers.
Eager to respond to the challenges of our society, the Château des Forges gives pride of place to nature (the lower Anjou valleys are a Natura 2000 area). It is certified European Ecolabel (NF 543), a standard that commits it to respecting a charter of 67 criteria on major environmental issues (reduction of energy consumption, waste, water....).
He is also committed to a more peaceful tourism, the slow tourism. This idea of slowing down, does not mean to turn to the past, but to take the time to appreciate the landscape, the decoration, a drink around the pool, a "home-made" breakfast... Life in short! And for that alone, it's a great hotel!
The Château des Forges is part of the "Slow Village" group, which has opened several places in the west of France based on the same concept in recent years.
See other reviews of the Château des Forges
Decoration and atmosphere
No false note in the decoration, from the lobby, to the common rooms and of course to the rooms!
You will be bathed in an atmosphere of harmonious green colors that lets the outside nature take over, but is in no way insipid.
The choice of contemporary furnishings, with an emphasis on dark woods, and Bauhaus-inspired accessories gives the hotel a really nice atmosphere.
The breakfast
As the mist rose painfully from the lower valleys of Anjou, we discovered a very appetizing breakfast buffet .
The majority of the dishes offered are homemade or come directly from local producers.
Our British origins force us to give a satisfaction to the "homemade chocolate pudding", even if the "homemade French toast" defended itself very well.
The choice and the quantities are reasoned which avoids waste.
A little more patience...
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The equipment
The pool is heated and accessible from spring to September. It opens onto a natural setting and is really (very) pleasant!
Other services
Spa and golf nearby.
Price range
Despite the quality of the service, the hotel remains accessible in this price range. We paid more to be much less well housed in many other hotels in the Loire!
Discover the rates of the Château des Forges
Practical information about Slow Village Château des Forges hotel in Angers
Where is Slow Village Château des Forges
- The establishment is located 10 minutes from Angers.
- Driving time from Nantes: 01h15
- Driving time from Tours: 1h15n
- Driving time from Blois: 02h25
- Driving time from Orleans: 02h00
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How to get there
It's hard to get to the Château des Forges without a car, but unfortunately that's the price you have to pay to get out of the city (a little). We are about 20 minutes from the TGV station and 15 minutes from the city center.
Parking
You can park for free inside the park, right next to the castle.
Our top 3 things to do in Angers
The castle of Angers
An impressive castle where the powerful Counts of Anjou ruled. The military fortress was built between 1230 and 1242 and has 17 towers, more than 40 meters high, connected by an 800 meter long enclosure. Its extraordinary dimensions and its rich and tormented history make it a castle not to be missed in Anjou. The castle is home to a real treasure, the tapestry of the apocalypse of John made in the late fourteenth century.
- See our photos and tips for a successful visit of the castle of Angers (coming soon).
Jean Lurçat and Contemporary Tapestry Museum
The Jean Lurçat Museum is located on the right bank of the Maine River, in the former Saint-Jean Hospital (12th century). It presents in particular the exceptional contemporary tapestry"Le chant du monde" realized by Jean Lurçat. This set of 10 panels, inspired by the Hiroshima tragedy, dialogues with the tapestry of the Apocalypse of John exhibited at the castle. Really fascinating and likely to reconcile you with the art of tapestry.
- See our photos and tips for a successful visit to the Jean Lurçat Museum (coming soon).
The David d'Angers Gallery
This museum offers a monumental dive into the art of the Angevin sculptor Pierre-Jean David d'Angers (1788-1856). In addition to the interest of the works, it is their presentation in the old Toussaint Abbey (13th century) under a contemporary glass roof that transported us.
An immersive experience in the bourgeois world of the 19th century, with this unique shopping mall in Europe. The play of light, the ironwork on the staircase, the sculptures... everything contributes to making this passageway a timeless place dedicated to the pleasure of window shopping.
- See our photos and tips for a successful visit to the Galerie David d'Angers (coming soon).
And to learn more:
our complete selection of 15 things to do in Angers (coming soon)
Our top 3 places to eat in Angers
We stay at 51
In the heart of downtown, a nice little gourmet address, where they cook good fresh local products, with a bit of creativity and a lot of generosity. For the wines, you are invited to choose the bottle yourself in the small cellar - pantry of the restaurant, with a nice selection of Loire wines. Just a beautiful moment! Discover the map
Milk Thyme Salt(1 star)
You have to be there (very) in advance to access the incredible tasting menu in this beautiful half-timbered house in the historic district of the Doutre. Only 20 covers and a young chef at the stove, spotted as a "great of tomorrow". We can only confirm this! Reserve your table
Le Belle Rive
Along the Maine River, on the right bank, a beautiful and creative restaurant only 5 minutes from the Château des Forges. We appreciate the terrace in the spring and the warm atmosphere in the winter. An ode to fresh produce and tranquility. We love it! Consult the map.
And to learn more:
our complete selection of 10 restaurants where to eat in Angers (coming soon)
Our top 3 places to sleep in Angers
Bed and Breakfast of the Oisellerie
Sleeping in a listed house with carved wood panelling? In one of the oldest houses in Angers, in the heart of the city? Held by two dynamic young women who have just renovated it... what else?
- Plus de photos et prix : Dormez historiquement bien
21 Foch
Chic contemporary atmosphere for this hotel, installed in a 19th century building on one of the main streets of Angers, the boulevard Foch. Ideally located, close to the main museums and monuments of the city, it is a real little white nest to recharge your batteries.
- Plus de photos et prix : Je veux nicher au 21 Foch
The Forges castle (Slow village)
Only 15 minutes from downtown Angers, retreat to this small castle in an incredible natural setting. You will appreciate the contemporary decoration, will be able to have a drink at the edge of the swimming pool and to admire at leisure the low valleys of Angers.
And to learn more:
our complete selection of 12 hotels where to sleep in Angers (coming soon)
