Angers is located in the heart of the Loire Valley. With good train service and easy access by car from major highways, the city is easily reached from most major French cities.
Here, we present all the practical options for getting to Angers, depending on your starting point and your preferences.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to Get to Angers
Here's a quick summary:
- By train from Paris Montparnasse: about 1 hour and 30 minutes by TGV - Book your train tickets now
- By car from Paris (3 hours 15 minutes), Nantes (1 hour 10 minutes), or Tours (1 hour 30 minutes) — Rent a car here
- By plane: The nearest airport is Nantes Atlantique (about a 1-hour drive) - Compare available flights.
- By long-distance bus: Flixbus and BlaBlaBus routes from several cities; official website here
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
Where is Angers? Map
Angers is the prefecture of Maine-et-Loire, located in the heart of the Loire Valley. The city lies along the Maine River, a few kilometers from its confluence with the Loire. Its central location makes it a convenient base for exploring the entire Loire Valley.
Here are the travel times from the major nearby cities:
- From Paris: about 3 hours and 15 minutes by car, 1 hour and 30 minutes by TGV
- From Nantes: about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car, 40 minutes by train
- From Tours: about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, 1 hour by train
- From Saumur: about 40 minutes by car, 20 minutes by train
- From Le Mans: about 1 hour by car, 40 minutes by train
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.
By train from Paris and the cities along the Loire River
The train is undoubtedly the most convenient way to get to Angers. The Angers Saint-Laud train station is located right in the city center, just a few minutes' walk from the main attractions. This is a significant advantage over other modes of transportation.
From Paris
TGV trains connect Paris Montparnasse to Angers in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Trains depart frequently throughout the day, with a frequency of about one train per hour during peak hours. We particularly appreciate this route for its reliability and the fact that the arrival station is close to the historic center.
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!
From other cities in the Loire region and the Greater West
Angers is well connected to the region's major cities. Here are the main routes:
- From Nantes: about 40 minutes; several trains per hour
- From Tours: about 1 hour, regular service
- From Saumur: about 20 minutes by regional train
- From Le Mans: about 40 minutes by TGV or Intercités train
- From Rennes: about 1 hour and 30 minutes, sometimes with one transfer
We recommend that you book your tickets in advance, especially during the summer and school holidays. Rates are significantly lower several weeks before departure. Consult timetables and book your train tickets.
Angers Saint-Laud station
The Angers Saint-Laud train station is well-equipped: shops, luggage storage, and car rental agencies right in the lobby. If you'd like to explore the nearby castles and villages, you can pick up a car as soon as you arrive. We detail all the options in our guide to renting a car at the Angers train station.
By car
A car offers the greatest freedom for exploring Angers and its surroundings. The Loire Valley is a great place to explore at your own pace, stopping along the way at castles, wineries, and the villages you pass through. In fact, that's our preferred way to get around when exploring the region.
The Main Routes
- From Paris: Take the A11 highway toward Le Mans, then Angers. About 3 hours and 15 minutes nonstop. Expect to pay a toll.
- From Nantes: Take the A11 highway eastbound. About 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- From Tours: A85 highway or national highway. About 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- From Rennes: Take the A11 highway via Nantes or the national highway. About 2 hours.
- From Bordeaux: Take the A10 highway, then the A11. About 3½ hours.
The roads around Angers are wide and well-marked. The exit out of town is easy to navigate, even for drivers who aren't used to French city traffic.
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Rent a car
If you're arriving by train or plane, renting a car once you're there is a great way to explore the region at your own pace. Several agencies have counters located right at the Saint-Laud train station. We recommend that you compare offers in advance: rates vary significantly depending on the season, with higher prices from June through August. Compare car rental offers.
Check out our detailed tips in our articles on renting a car at the Angers train station and renting a car in France.
Parking in Angers
Parking in the city center is metered. There are nine underground parking garages located throughout the city center: Ralliement, Bressigny, Haras, Larrey, Leclerc, Mail, Mitterrand, Molière, and République. For a free option, the La Rochefoucaud parking lot offers about 1,200 spaces along the river, about a ten-minute walk from downtown.
By plane
Angers does not have a commercial airport. The nearest airport is Nantes Atlantique, about 80 km away, or a 50-minute drive under normal conditions. For international travelers, Paris CDG and Paris Orly are good alternatives, especially if you’re combining your stay in the Loire region with a stopover in Paris.
It's time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
From Nantes Atlantique Airport
Nantes Atlantique Airport is served by numerous European airlines and offers long-haul flights via connecting flights. From the terminal, the most direct way to get to Angers is by rental car: there are rental agencies at the airport, and the route via the A11 highway is straightforward and well-marked. We recommend this option for travelers who want to head straight out on a road trip through the Loire region as soon as they arrive. Compare available flights.
You can also take a shuttle or tram to Nantes first, and then take a direct train to Angers (about 40 minutes). This outfit is a good choice if you don't want to drive.
DISCOVER Angers
From Paris CDG or Orly
If you're arriving in France via Paris, the easiest way is to take the TGV from Gare Montparnasse. A ride on the RER or by taxi from CDG or Orly will take you there in 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the airport, and then the train connects Montparnasse to Angers in 1 hour and 30 minutes. It's an effective combination that doesn't restrict driving.
By long-distance bus
Long-distance buses are an affordable option for traveling to Angers, especially for those on a tight budget or for routes not well served by trains. Flixbus and BlaBlaBus offer service to Angers from Paris and several major French cities. Travel times are longer than by train (3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours from Paris, depending on the stops), but prices are often very competitive, especially if you book in advance. The bus stop is at the train station. View Flixbus routes to Angers
On a day trip from Paris
Are you in Paris and want to explore the Loire Valley without planning a full trip? Guided minibus tours allow you to visit several sites over two or three days, with transportation and stops included. We find this option particularly well-suited for travelers visiting France for the first time who want to see the region’s highlights without any logistical hassles.
Choose a 2-day tour: Mont-Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley from Paris—a great combination that lets you explore two of the most iconic destinations in northwestern France. You can also choose this 3-day tour: Mont-Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley, departing from Paris—a more leisurely pace for visiting the Loire Valley’s most famous castles, with more time to spend at each location.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
And once in Angers...
Angers has some wonderful discoveries in store. The Château d'Angers and its Apocalypse Tapestry, Saint-Maurice Cathedral, the museums, the surrounding vineyards, and the many châteaux of the Loire Valley within easy driving distance all make for a rich itinerary. We recommend that you plan to spend at least two days exploring the city and its surroundings.
Check out our article “Things to Do in Angers: Our Top Suggestions” and our article “Where to Stay in Angers: Our Favorite Hotels and Neighborhoods” to plan your trip.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
