Tour des Anglais, Angers

Tower in Angers

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Glabb

Tour des Anglais in Angers is a 15th-century riverside defense tower in La Doutre, just across the Maine from the city centre. Built around 1448, it formed part of Angers' medieval fortifications and helped guard river access at a time when the city still relied on walls, gates, and controlled crossings.

The tower is mainly an exterior stop, so the visit is short and straightforward. Its appeal lies in the surviving stonework, its link with the former chain barrier across the Maine, and its setting among the quieter streets near the river. It suits visitors interested in medieval defenses, local history, or a short detour beyond the château and cathedral.

History and Significance
- Angers’ Late Medieval Defenses
- A Remnant of a Fortified City
Things to See and Do
How to Get to the Tour des Anglais
Where to Stay Close
Is the Tour des Anglais Worth Visiting?
Practical Tips on Visiting the Tour des Anglais
FAQs for Visiting the Tour des Anglais

History and Significance

Angers’ Late Medieval Defenses

The Tour des Anglais was built around 1448 as part of Angers' third defensive wall. Its position beside the Maine mattered because river traffic was both useful and vulnerable: boats brought movement and trade, but also created an access point that needed control.

The tower is also associated with the name Tour de la Haute-Chaîne. That name refers to the chain system once used to block navigation on the Maine, with heavy chains stretched across the river when the city needed to restrict passage.

A Remnant of a Fortified City

The name Tour des Anglais reflects the period's memory of conflict between France and England during and after the Hundred Years' War. Angers strengthened its defenses in this wider context, and the tower is one of the visible reminders that the city was once managed as a fortified stronghold.

Its stone construction and narrow openings give a clear sense of late medieval military architecture without requiring a long visit. As a listed historical monument, it remains protected even though the surrounding wall system has largely disappeared.

Things to See and Do

Most visitors come to look at the tower from the outside, take a few photos, and connect it with the line of Angers’ former defenses. The stop works best when approached slowly on foot through La Doutre, where the streets feel calmer than the main shopping and cathedral area across the river.

The tower’s riverside setting is part of the experience. Late afternoon light can bring out the contrast between the darker local stone and the pale tuffeau details, and the nearby Maine banks add context to its original defensive role.

I’d treat it as one piece in a short La Doutre walk rather than as a standalone destination. It pairs naturally with the area around the former Saint-Jean hospital and the riverside route back toward the historic centre.

How to Get to the Tour des Anglais

Angers Loire Airport is the local airport near Marcé, while Nantes Atlantique and Paris Charles de Gaulle are more useful for many international arrivals before continuing to Angers by rail. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Angers on Booking.com.

Angers Saint-Laud is the city's main train station, with TGV and regional services, and the tower can then be reached by crossing the Maine on foot or using local transport toward La Doutre. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.

By car, use public parking in central Angers or La Doutre and walk the last stretch, since the streets around Rue de la Tour des Anglais are not designed for quick sightseeing by car. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Where to Stay Close

For a culture-heavy Angers stay, the most practical base is the historic centre around the château, Place du Ralliement, and Angers Saint-Laud rather than directly beside the Tour des Anglais.

Hôtel Marguerite d’Anjou works well if you want to stay opposite the château and close to the river crossing into La Doutre. Hôtel Le Continental is a central option for visitors who prefer the old centre, restaurants, shops, and easy tram access. If rail convenience matters most, Mercure Angers Centre Gare keeps you close to Angers Saint-Laud while still within walking distance of the main sights.

Is the Tour des Anglais Worth Visiting?

The Tour des Anglais is worth a short stop if you are already exploring La Doutre or following Angers' medieval remains. It is best for visitors who enjoy small architectural survivals and local defensive history. Skip it if you want an interior visit, museum displays, or a major monument with a long ticketed experience; in that case, the Château d'Angers should take priority.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.0 (22)

Tour des Anglais (XVe siècle), situé Rue de la Tour des Anglais à Angers, est une tour médiévale de la fin du Moyen Âge qui faisait partie des défenses de la ville ; plusieurs visiteurs notent son architecture gothique et ses vues panoramiques, apprécient le calme du lieu même en période de montée des eaux et signalent que le chemin peut devenir boueux mais sèche rapidement, tandis que d'autres estiment que le site mérite une mise en valeur — pose d'une plaque, restauration et usage comme espace d'information ou lieu lié aux étudiants et au CHU pour mieux raconter son histoire.

Мария Наливайко

12 months ago

"English Tower (Tour des Anglais, 15th century) This medieval tower is part of the historical defensive system of Angers. Featuresn• Built in the 15thcentury to protect the city.n• Gothic architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding area.n• Today it is used as a historical monument and a place for excursions. The English Tower recalls the military history of the region...."

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Teddy Lochard

7 years ago

"Too bad, very nice site, it should have been promoted by telling its story... or why not use it as a place of information linked either to the CHU,or to all the students who gravitate around this area...."

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gerard hochart

a year ago

"Still calm despite the seasonal rise in water levels. The path is muddy but will be dry again in a few days."

Joel Malvaud

6 years ago

"A stone's throw from the Jean Lurcat museum, a car park next to the 16th century English tower next to the bridge looks sad, a shame there is noplaque, although it has a beautiful story. It's a place that needs to be restored...."

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florian galon

7 years ago

"It makes a lovely dovecote. A little restoration and a revamp of the monument wouldn't go amiss."

Practical Tips on Visiting the Tour des Anglais

Best time to visit: Spring to autumn is the most comfortable period for walking along the river and through La Doutre. Late afternoon is useful for photos when the light catches the stone.
How long to spend: Allow 15-30 minutes for the tower itself and a look around the nearby streets. Add more time if you are linking it with a broader La Doutre walk.
Accessibility: The exterior can be reached on foot, but nearby pavements and older streets may include uneven surfaces. Visitors with limited mobility should plan a simple route and avoid rushing the riverbank paths after wet weather.
Facilities: There are no visitor facilities inside the tower. Cafés, restaurants, and public services are found in the surrounding La Doutre area and across the river in central Angers.

FAQs for Visiting the Tour des Anglais

Getting There

The tower stands on Rue de la Tour des Anglais in La Doutre, on the north-west side of the Maine River from Angers’ historic centre.

Tickets & Entry

Yes. It is an exterior landmark, so you can view it from the surrounding public streets without buying a ticket.

Visiting Experience

Plan on 15-20 minutes if you only want to see the tower, take a photo, and understand its position by the river.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Combine it with a walk through La Doutre, the Maine riverfront, and the route back toward the Château d’Angers for a compact medieval-history loop.

Photography

It is a modest subject but worthwhile for detail shots of the stonework and wider views that place the tower beside the river and La Doutre streets.

Accessibility & Facilities

No. Treat the tower as an outdoor stop and use cafés, public facilities, or museum facilities elsewhere in the neighbourhood or city centre.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Look around La Doutre, especially toward Rue Lionnaise and Place de la Laiterie, or cross back toward the central streets for more choice.

Safety & Timing

Early evening can be pleasant for a short riverside walk, especially in good weather. After dark, use normal city caution and stick to well-lit streets.

The Tour des Anglais appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Angers!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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