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Bauge

Visit Bauge (Pays de la Loire, France)

Bauge is a small town east of Angers in the Maine-et-Loire department of the Pays-de-la-Loire region - it is also part of the historical Anjou region.

Exploring Baugé

On arriving in the town the parking is right next to the château which I always find a little disappointing since some of the drama of 'discovering' a town is lost when you arrive immediately at the highlight.

The tourist office is inside the 15th century castle and is in a beautiful room. Ask for the leaflets giving a guided walk round the town as these are full of detail (Parcours découvert au cœur de la ville).

Baugé castle was the favourite of Duke Rene of Anjou and was home to his fabulous Apocalypse tapestry. The tapestry has now been moved to the Château d’Angers. Inside the castle you can watch a video of the life of René of Anjou. The Baugé Museum of Art and History is also in the castle and contains a wide range of items explaining the history of the town and the way of life of the residents.

Continue from here to the Rue de la Girouardiere, one of the oldest streets in the town and which leads to the Chapel de la Girouardiere and the Cross of Anjou. This cross is said to be made from the cross on which Christ died (the wood is Palestinian though its authenticity has not been proven). The cross was given to the monks of Baugé following a thirteenth century crusade to the Holy Land. It was later richly decorated with precious stones and gold and is the symbol of Lorraine.

The other main site in Bauge is the ancient apothecary of the Hotel-Dieu - a medieval hospital. This 17th century apothecary has been classed a historic monument and is considered to be one of the most attractive in France with more than 600 medical articles and bottles. Also in the Hotel-Dieu you can see the room where the sick were treated and a baroque style chapel.

Attractions nearby

In the villages around Baugé are eight unusual churches with twisted steeples. No one seems to know why they took on this unusual design. The most popular villages with visitors include Cheviré le Rouge (to the north-west) and Vieil Bauge (to the south-west).

Families might enjoy a day at Holly Park, a theme park in the grounds of a XVIII château. This can be found at Echemire, 4km from Bauge.

Other local highlights include the Logis Seigneurial at Clefs (north of Baugé), a 16th century townhouse most noted for its monumental fireplaces. Gardeners will enjoy the gardens and botanic parks around the castle at Chigné, east of the town and Gastines castle at Fougeré.

Photos of Bauge

Click any picture to start the gallery

Address: Baugé, Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire, 49150 || GPS: latitude 47.541, longitude -0.104

Map of Bauge & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Chateau Plessis-Bourre 34km; Angers 34km; Chateau d'Angers 35km; Montsoreau 38km; Candes-Saint-Martin 39km; Fontevraud Abbey 41km; Langeais 45km; Aubigne-sur-Layon 45km; Chinon 47km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Bauge.
See Pays de la Loire and Maine-et-Loire (the region and department for Bauge) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Bauge, France

• La Fleche - recommended detour (17km)
• Parc de Lathan - remarkable garden (21km)
• Parc et jardins du château du Lude - remarkable garden (23km)
• Prieuré de Notre-Dame de Cunault (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (25km)
• Eglise de Notre Dame (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (25km)
• Saumur - secteur sauvegarde (32km)
• Angers - town of art and history (34km)
• Chateau d'Angers - national monument (35km)
• Loire-Anjou-Touraine - regional natural parc (35km)
• Montsoreau - most beautiful village (38km)

The French version of this page is at Bauge (Francais)