Episcopal Palace

This is the imposing Angers Episcopal Palace, located behind Saint-Maurice Cathedral. It was once the residence of the bishops of Angers and has stood here since the ninth century, taking on its current T-shaped form in the twelfth century on the foundations of the old palace. If you’ve ever visited Reims, you’ll notice that it has the same shape as the Tau Palace in Reims. It was Bishop Ulger who, after a visit to Reims, decided to take inspiration from the palace to build his own in Angers. In fact, it is also known as the Tau Palace here, due to its shape. It was remodelled in the 15th, 17th and 19th centuries. This explains why it is made of different materials and colours. Bishops lived here until 1905, when the law separating Church and State was passed. In 1910, it became the tapestry museum, and since 1954 it has been the diocesan house of works. It is only possible to visit the palace in summer as part of a guided tour. You will have the opportunity to visit the reception room, the lower hall dating from the 12th century, and the flats of Bishop Freppel, a committed 19th-century bishop who was also a member of parliament. His statue can be found in the Saint-Croix square, just a few metres away. We’ll be taking a look at it in a moment.