A food destination with high standards of quality and outstanding choice.
Angers’ famously mild climate combined with the expertise of local businesses have for more than two centuries given the region a reputation for horticulture. As the capital of the Anjou region, Angers is historically an important centre for market gardening and winegrowing.
Although today Angers is not widely reputed for any one particular dish, it has a rich gastronomic culture featuring an indisputably broad range of wines and produce, along with artisan food makers and chefs who are passionate about promoting local produce.
Why not try one of Angers’ specialities?
Already celebrated as a centre for gastronomy by the French Renaissance writer Rabelais, Angers has numerous specialities that are worth taking time to try, like freshwater fish, ‘poulet à l’angevine’ the ‘gouline’ pie, rillauds (pork belly pieces), pâté aux prunes (plum pie), Doyenné du Comice pears, the Crémet d’Anjou dessert, and the wines of Anjour-Saumur. Among Angers’ great historical icons, you’ll also find the famous brands of Cointreau and Giffard, which are still based in Angers today.
Angers, just savour it
For lunch or dinner, choose from one of the many restaurants where chefs work hard every day producing exquisite creations from Angevin produce. Their cuisine showcases the freshness, originality and quality of local ingredients to bring you the finest flavours and the most memorable food moments.
Take a daytime trip to the Cointreau visitor experience Carré Cointreau for a tour around a real-life distillery and the only place to produce this world-famous liqueur. From the precious orange peel to the iconic bottle, you’ll discover all of the secrets of the globally renowned brand. Visitors fond of liqueurs and cordials should also make sure they visit ‘Espace Menthe Pastille’, a unique and sensory visitor experience exploring the history and savoir-faire of the local company Giffard.
For the sweetest of sweet tooth, step inside the Boulangerie des Carmes at any time of the day to try their ‘pâté aux prunes’ (prune pie), the Maison du Quernon, whose little blue chocolates resemble Angers’ slate-covered rooftops, or the chocolate shop Chocolaterie Benoit to sample their delicious Caramandes or Menthe Pastille chocolates.
For any epicurean or wine lover, a wine tasting session is a must. Head to the Maison des Vins opposite the castle or to one of city’s wine bars.