The Place du Ralliement is the main square of Angers, where people gather to admire the old buildings and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine. A tramway runs through the plaza, which has a traditional carousel, monuments and many restaurants. Walk through the pedestrianized area and enjoy the sights and sounds of France.
Go shopping in this commercial area, which includes a large Galeries Lafayette department store. Amble through the side streets that are full of boutiques and cafés. Listen to music floating across the plaza as you sit with a drink under one of the umbrellas belonging to restaurants lining the square.
Capture photos of the historic structures that surround the area, including the 19th-century Grand Théâtre. Sit on one of the more than 700 seats to watch a musical performance or a play. The building contains an exhibition hall where you can admire temporary art or history installations.
The active square often hosts concerts and other types of live performances. Meander around the trees and the fountain in this charming central area and watch the street performers.
Visit the square during the Christmas season to see it decorated by fairy lights, tinsels and a large tree. Sip hot wine from the wooden huts set up in the square.
The plaza has a long and intriguing history, once serving as the site for the guillotine death penalty and then for war enlistments. It was initially built to replace a medieval square toward the end of the 18th century.
The Place du Ralliement is located in the downtown area of the city. It is just south of La Maine River and stands among many of Angers’ top attractions, including the Angers Cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts. Take a tram to the square, which also has its own parking lot below ground.
