Hôtel des Pénitentes, Angers, Historical monument in Angers, France

The Hôtel des Pénitentes, also called logis de la Voûte, stands at 21–23 boulevard Descazeaux. Its three wings are built of schist and tuffeau, with the two main ones served by an external stone spiral staircase. The 15th-century parts are Gothic flamboyant, the 17th-century parts classical; the entrance portal has diamond-point surrounds flanked by turrets, and inside is a richly decorated Renaissance fireplace.

Built around the end of the 15th century as the logis de la Voûte, the building belonged from that time to Saint-Nicolas Abbey, which used it as a refuge inside the city walls. In 1640 a community of repenties or pénitentes settled there, confirmed by letters patent in 1642 and 1646, and the house was enlarged during the 17th century by buying adjoining dwellings. At the Revolution the community dispersed and the buildings became a women's prison, later also a hospice until the mid-19th century.

The name comes from the community of "repenties" or "pénitentes" installed here in 1640, confirmed by royal letters patent in 1642 and 1646, to shelter women and girls of "bad life" who chose to withdraw from the world. The building was earlier called logis de la Voûte. From 19 September 2026 to 3 January 2027 it hosts Objets de choix, a temporary exhibition of the Musée des féminismes.

The building stands at 21 and 23 boulevard Descazeaux, in the Doutre district on the right bank of the Maine. From the street you can see the slate roofs, the crenellated corner tower and the mullioned windows; the terraced garden with low hedges lies in front. It is a classified monument and not open as a regular museum, so check locally before planning a visit.

The building was long used as a women's prison and hospice, and from 1886 it housed the justice of the peace of the Doutre district. It was listed as a monument historique on 1 August 1902. From 19 September 2026 to 3 January 2027 it hosts "Objets de choix", a temporary exhibition of the Musée des féminismes.