Bauge

Visit Bauge, Pays de la Loire

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.

See Pays-de-la-Loire and Maine-et-Loire (the region and department for Bauge) for more travel ideas...

Photos of Bauge

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Suggested places to visit near Bauge, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Chateau Plessis-Bourre 34km; Angers 34km; Chateau d'Angers 35km; Montsoreau 38km; Candes-Saint-Martin 39km; Fontevraud Abbey 41km; Aubigne-sur-Layon 45km; Chinon 47km; Chateau Chinon 49km;

Bauge tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

La Fleche - recommended detour (17km) : Parc de Lathan - remarkable garden (21km) : Parc et jardins du château du Lude - remarkable garden (23km) : Eglise de Notre Dame (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (25km) : Prieuré de Notre-Dame de Cunault (Chenehutte-Treves-Cunault) - religious monument (25km) : Loire-Anjou-Touraine - regional natural parc (35km) : Collegiale Church (Candes-Saint-Martin) - religious monument (39km) : Jardin d’atmosphère du Petit Bordeaux - remarkable garden (40km) :

See more places and a map at places near Bauge