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 abounds in 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's well known to locals, but much less so to visitors to the region.
It is unique in that it is situated on a small island between 2 arms of the Loire. So don't miss the entrance from the bridges!
We love strolling along its main street, with its pretty houses along the water.
And don't 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
Practical information
- Allow 30min to explore the whole village
- Flat tour
- Ample parking at the entrance to the village.
- Warning: in the event of flooding of the Loire, the village will not be accessible.
- A crêperie / bar
- This village has been awarded the "Petite cité de caractère" label.
- View the best rated accommodations around Béhuard
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
2. Savennières (30 min)
Why do we love it?
Right next to the Loire, this site has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
The village developed in Gallo-Roman times.
But what really sets Savennières apart are the superb manor houses and presbytery, built by the aristocracy of Anjou in the 18th century.
Don't miss the church, considered one of the oldest in the region.
And another (very) good reason to visit Savennières is the surrounding vineyards.
Access to the village from Angers
- South-west of Angers
- Driving time from Angers = 25min
Practical information
- Allow 30min to 1h to explore the village center, more to enjoy the surrounding vineyards.
- Easy to explore
- Parking at Place du Mail or near the railway tracks
- Some restaurants / cafés
- This village has been awarded the "Petite cité de caractère" label.
- View the best rated accommodations around Savennières
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.
3. Saint-Florent-le-Vieil (45 min)
Why do we love it?
Saint-Florent-le-Vieil is a town, but if you concentrate on the part along the Loire, it really looks like a village:
The walk along the water's edge is one of the highlights of the Loire by bike.
On the way back up to the abbey, the streets are steep, narrow and charming, with nature and stone all around.
And at the top, you'll discover the abbey church and its panoramic views over 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 banks of the Loire and the abbey church
- Wear good shoes for the cobbled streets
- Very steep
- Parking around the abbey church and on the banks of the Loire River
- A good choice of restaurants / cafés
- This town has the "Petite cité de caractère" label
- View 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 Havre valley with its charming riversides,
- and the works of art installed all around the town, on the sculpture trail in a wide variety of styles.
And just outside town, don't miss the 4.30m-high Pierre Blanche menhir. And legend has it 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 castle
- Wear good shoes for the cobbled streets
- A little slope
- Parking at Square du Havre
- Some restaurants / cafés
- 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 Montsoreau (1h)
Why do we love it?
Candes-Saint-Martin offers yet another very different experience.
It is also sometimes listed as Montsoreau.
The 2 villages are actually right next to each other: the charming village is Candes, but the famous château on the banks of the Loire is in Montsoreau.
The village lies at the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers, a strategic location that has enabled it to develop as a river port.
Here, we love the many tufa stone houses, typical of the region, and we're sure you'll be surprised by the church facade!
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 Château de Montsoreau
- Wear good shoes for cobbled and sloping streets
- Parking lots at the ends of the village. Very few places in the village
- Some restaurants / cafés
- This village has been awarded 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 near 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.
It's time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
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:
- Most beautiful villages around Saumur - see list
- Most beautiful villages around Tours - see list
- Most beautiful 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
