ANGERS, (the ancient Andes, capital of a Gallic tribe, known under the Lat. form Andecari). Formerly the capital of the Duchy of Anjou, and now of the French Department of Maine-et-Loire, situated on both sides of the navigable river Mayenne, not far from the junc tion of the Sarthe with it, and about five miles from its confluence with the Loire (Map: France, F 4). Old Augers. "The Black City." is fast disappearing, and a new, bright town taking its place. The ancient walls are changed into shady boulevards: new-fashioned buildings and bridges are appearing. The cathedral of St. Maurice is one of the oldest surviving structures, and is a fine specimen of thirteenth century Gothic. The castle of Philip Augustus still stands, with its round towers. Angers is the see of a bishop. It has also a school, with faculties of law, mathematics, science, and philosophy, a school of art, and theological seminary, an insti tution for the deaf and dumb, a botanical garden, a large picture gallery, and a public library.
The ruins of the ancient castle of Angers, built by St. Louis about the middle of the thirteenth century, are situated on a projecting rock above the river. Sail-making, cotton-spinning, stocking weaving, etc.. are carried on to a considerable ex tent, and a trade in corn, wine, brandy, flax, hemp, honey, etc. There are slate quarries in the neighborhood. Angers is the birthplace of Rene of Anjou, the learned Menage, the publicist J. Bodin, and the sculptor David, whose statue was unveiled in the Place de Lorraine, October 24, 1880. Pop. in 1901, S2.308. Consult A. De bidour, La Fronde angerinc; la via municipalc au 17c sieelc (Paris, 1877).