Before we resume cycling along the Loire we spent a day in the city of Angers, which had impressed us a week earlier. Now, with a free day, we took the train back to explore further, on foot.

After overnight rain, the sun came out and we took advantage of a day of free openings at various attractions.

Primary amongst them was Angers’ chateau.

The sheer scale of this castle is hard to take in. The walls are massive, tall and striped with alternate layers of slate and limestone (tufa).

The castle hosts a similarly awesome artefact, the Apocalypse Tapestry a large medieval set of tapestries commissioned by Louis I, the Duke of Anjou, and woven in Paris between 1377 and 1382. It depicts the story of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation, which is over 140 metres long in total. More info

It’s a jaw-dropping display on every level – you can see about a half of it in the image above.,

We also walked the walls of the chateau taking in some spectacular views of the city.

We also visited the cathedral and walked through the very chic shopping areas of this attractive city.

We ended the day with a meal in Saumur. Tomorrow Olivia returns home, whilst we head down the Loire on the first of three days cycling which should take us to Nantes.

Julie adds: I was keen to see Angers and the much heralded Apocalypse tapestry, having missed it a week ago as our schedule didn’t align with the castle opening hours. Although being a Sunday all the shops were closed, the city was thronged with visitors, mostly French enjoying a day trip and the chance to sample several attractions for free. It was some kind of festival weekend.

I also enjoyed people watching at a cafe outside the main gate of the castle. A wide variety of outfits passed by. Olivia remarked on how glamorous some of the French women are, often selecting slightly odd combinations of clothes that somehow work well.

We all had a giggle at a modern art installation in one of the castle towers called the fog of history. Phil likened it to something he might pull out of our shower plug hole!

It was accompanied by an over-the-top description, written by the artist who, amongst a lot if other things, said of hid work that it was “A captivating voice and a sound world coming from the limits of time ineluctably’.