Tour des Anglais, Medieval watchtower in Angers, France.
Tour des Anglais is a stone defensive tower on the Maine River in Angers with thick walls and arrow slits that reveal its military purpose. The structure sits near the Haute-Chaîne bridge and shapes the riverbank with its solid form.
The tower was built in 1448 under King René of Anjou to control traffic on the Maine River. It formed part of a larger defensive system that protected the city's trade and security.
The tower forms part of the city's defensive system and remains recognizable by its distinctive stone structure when viewed from the river. It helps visitors understand how medieval communities protected their waterways as they walk along the embankments.
The tower is accessible from the riverside promenade and can be viewed year-round from the outside. The best vantage point is from the embankment, where visitors can see the stone structure and its details up close.
The tower was equipped with a chain system that could block ships on the river when raised. This mechanism made it a rare form of medieval river traffic control.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
