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Les Ponts-de-Cé

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Maine-et-Loire

Les Ponts-de-Cé - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Maine-et-Loire
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Charmante commune of Maine-et-Loire, Les Ponts-de-Cé takes place only a few kilometers from Angers, in the heart of the Pays de la Loire. It is located on the banks of the Loire, crossed by many bridges that gave it its name.

The town of Ponts-de-Cé, of Gallo-Roman origin, took on its full significance in the ninth century with the construction of a bridge fortified by Charles the Bald, grandson of Charlemagne, in order to defend himself from the invader Norman. Second favorite residence of King René in the 15th century, it was also a privileged place of reception for King Louis XI at the same time. In the 17th century, Les Ponts-de-Cé was the scene of a famous battle between Louis XIII and his mother, Marie de Medici, who was then removed from the regency.

Today, the city of the Loire is still appreciated for its rich architectural heritage, as well as for its proximity with Angers and its many tourist and historical sites.

Geographical information

MunicipalityLes Ponts-de-Cé
Postcode49130
Tourism label
Latitude47.4246160 (N 47° 25’ 29”)
Longitude-0.5246540 (W 0° 31’ 29”)
AltitudeFrom 15m to 36m
Surface area19.55 km²
Population13123 inhabitants
Density671 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureAngers (7.5 km, 15 min)
Insee code49246
IntercommunalityCU Angers Loire Métropole
DepartmentMaine-et-Loire
TerritoriesAnjou, Loire Valley
RegionPays de la Loire

Nearest cities & towns

Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire3.8 km (7 min)
Mûrs-Erigné3.8 km (7 min)
Les Garennes sur Loire5.7 km (9 min)
Saint-Jean-de-la-Croix6.2 km (10 min)
Trélazé6.5 km (10 min)
Angers7.6 km (16 min)
Soulaines-sur-Aubance7.6 km (13 min)
Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance7.8 km (11 min)
Bouchemaine8 km (12 min)
Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou8.7 km (13 min)
Mozé-sur-Louet8.8 km (12 min)
Avrillé11.5 km (21 min)
Brissac Loire Aubance11.6 km (16 min)
Denée11.7 km (15 min)
Verrières-en-Anjou14 km (17 min)

Things to see and do

Classified as Historical Monuments, the Château des Ponts-de-Cé dates from the 13th century. Rebuilt on the remains of an ancient fortress of the ninth century, it was reworked by King René in the fifteenth century. All that remains today is the donjon, made of tufa stone, formerly surrounded by a corbelled round path. It is possible to visit the museum of headdresses and traditions, with a collection of more than 400 headdresses and bonnets of Anjou, as well as reconstructions of ancient places of life such as the workshop of the perruquière, the Seamstress or ironer.

A little more recent, the castle of Rivet dates from the 15th century. Today private property, it is listed in Historic Monuments, while its chapel is classified.

The church of Saint-Aubin was built in the eleventh century and classified to the Historic Monuments in the early twentieth century. Following a fire in the 1970s that left only the original walls, the building was completely renovated. Outside, you can discover a neogothic façade, as well as windows with flamboyant and Renaissance frescoes. Inside, there are still some 16th century wall paintings, a statue of Saint Barbe from the same period, 17th century altarpieces, or the very beautiful stained glass window of the Jean Valchon chapel.

A former Romanesque building from the 11th century, the Saint-Maurille church was completely redone in the 19th century in a neo-Gothic style.

According to a local legend not verified, Julius Caesar defeated the Gallic warrior Dumnacus, during the revolt of the Angevins, in the Ponts-de-Cé. In the 19th century, a statue of Dumnacus was erected in the city to commemorate the event.

It is possible to see in the town the last vestige of the former convent of the Cordelieres. It is a monumental door dating from the 17th century located at the entrance of a nursing home. The old church now serves as a theater under the name of Théâtre des Dames.

Dynamic, the town of Ponts-de-Cé has a leisure base where it is possible to practice canoeing on the Loire, as well as a swimming pool with many facilities for young and old.

Places of interest

Leisure centres
Monuments
Performance halls

Events and festivities

The market is held every Friday and Sunday morning. A lively Christmas market is organized at the end of the year.

Ancient medieval festival with ancient origins, the Baillée of the girls is organized every year in May. In particular, there is a medieval market, a falconry show, games, a knights' tournament and equestrian shows.

The Traver'Cé musical festival is held in July, offering different concerts.

In September, the festival of cooked apples offers a garage sale and various festive animations.

Photos

Castle of Ponts-de-Cé
Castle of Ponts-de-Cé
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Shore of Arts - Port des Noues
Shore of Arts - Port des Noues
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Swimming Ponts-de-Cé
Swimming Ponts-de-Cé
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Castle
Castle
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Weather

Friday 29 march
Min. 8°C - Max. 15°C
Day
Night
Saturday 30 march
Min. 8°C - Max. 14°C
Day
Night
Sunday 31 march
Min. 5°C - Max. 12°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Show: The Master of the Apple Trees
Culture and education17 € Angers (5.4 km)
Ticket for the Château d'Angers - Pays de la Loire
Culture and education11 € Angers (5.7 km)
Discovery walk and activities with llamas
Nature and the great outdoors8 € Tuffalun (23 km)
Introduction to the game of Boule de Fort
Sports sensations25 € to 80 € Saumur (38 km)
Zoo de la Flèche queue-jump ticket
Entertainment26 € La Flèche (46 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Between the Loire and the hedged farmland
Cycling itineraryEasy2:00Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux (12.8 km)
Bike tour "the Loop of the Loir"
All-terrain bike itineraryIntermediate2:10Seiches-sur-le-Loir (22 km)
Loir Loop Interpretive Trail
HikeIntermediate2:55Seiches-sur-le-Loir (23 km)
Rose Circuit
Village visitEasy40 minGennes-Val-de-Loire (24 km)
By bike, the fishing villages on the banks of the Loire
All-terrain bike itineraryEasy1:20Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (30 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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