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Trélazé

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City
—°3710
Trélazé (France)
ℹ️

Practical info — Trélazé

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Parc des Ardoisières to see the remarkable deep-blue lakes in the former slate quarries.
  • Go to the Musée de l'Ardoise to learn about the centuries-old tradition of slate mining in Anjou.
  • During summer, enjoy the 'Festival Estival', which hosts many free outdoor concerts and events.
  • The town is just a 15-minute bus or bike ride away from the historic center of Angers.
  • Notice the distinctive slate roofs that cover almost every building in this part of France.

🍽 Food

🍽
Anjou Wines

Sample a glass of Crémant d'Anjou or local white wine at a neighborhood bar.

🍽
Galettes & Crêpes

Buckwheat savory pancakes (galettes) are a staple lunch option in the region.

🍽
Pâté aux Prunes

A traditional plum pastry that is a specialty of the nearby Angers area.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Trélazé Market

A classic French market excellent for finding regional cheeses and produce.

🛍
Slate Souvenirs

Look for small, handcrafted items made from slate at the museum gift shop.

🧘
Sentier des Ardoisières

A walking trail through the old quarry sites, very peaceful and scenic.

🧘
Authion River Banks

Great for a quiet riverside stroll on the outskirts of the town.

Highlights of 2026

3

Trélazé borders the city of Angers in the Maine-et-Loire department and is historically synonymous with slate mining. For centuries, it served as the center of the French slate industry, supplying the black rock that covers the roofs of countless Loire Valley châteaux. The realities of the miners' lives and traditional stone splitting techniques are documented at the local Slate Museum (Musée de l'Ardoise). Today, the extensive former quarries have been rehabilitated into the Parc des Ardoisières, a vast nature reserve. This post-industrial landscape has striking visual contrasts, featuring sheer rock faces, deep flooded excavation pits, and specialized flora that has reclaimed the rocky terrain. The park's rugged paths draw hikers, runners, and photographers looking for unconventional scenery. Trélazé has also emerged as a cultural venue, anchored by the Arena Loire, which hosts major indoor concerts and sporting events. The town's streets still feature rows of modest 19th-century workers' housing. It stands as a fascinating example of how heavy industrial heritage can be transformed into a thriving ecological space.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C5581114182019161385
Rain mm695361486455495043747376

Geography

Population
11,740
Coordinates
47.44610, -0.46640

Facts

  • Beginning of slate mining: 15th century
  • End of slate mining: 2014
  • Surface area of the municipality: 12.2 km²
  • Number of visitors to the festival: up to 200,000
  • Depth of some former quarries: over 100 meters
  • Population: approx. 16,300

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Trélazé (7)

Slate Museum🏛 museum

A specialized museum dedicated to the centuries-old history and techniques of slate mining in the region.

Parc des Ardoisières🌿 nature

A unique landscape of former slate quarries transformed into a massive natural park for hiking and discovery.

Saint-Pierre Church⛪ religious

A prominent 19th-century church that stands as a symbol of the town's growth and religious history.

Arena Loire🎭 culture

A state-of-the-art multipurpose venue hosting major concerts, sports events, and cultural festivals.

Manoir de la Placette🏺 historical

A historical manor house reflecting the classical architectural heritage of the Anjou province.

Le Buisson🌿 nature

Le Buisson in Trelaze is a scenic lake where visitors can enjoy nature and relaxing walks.

Loopiland👨‍👩‍👧 family

Loopiland is a playground in Trelaze providing a safe and fun environment for children to play.

Frequently asked questions

What is unique about Trélazé's history?
The city was the center of slate quarrying in France for over 600 years, shaping the local landscape and architecture.
Can you visit the old slate quarries?
Yes, the Slate Museum (Musée de l'Ardoise) gives insights into the miners' work and demonstrations of slate splitting.
What major event takes place in the summer?
The Festival Estival de Trélazé has numerous free concerts from June to August, featuring international and national artists.
Are there natural areas for hiking?
The Parc du Vissoir and the reclaimed quarry areas offer unique hiking trails between blue water holes and steep cliffs.
How to get from Angers to Trélazé?
Trélazé is directly connected by the Angers city bus system (Irigo). The trip takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the line.
Trélazé: where is it located?
Trélazé is located in Pays de la Loire, France.
Trélazé: what is there to see?
Highlights include Slate Museum, Parc des Ardoisières, Saint-Pierre Church.
Trélazé: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Trélazé: why is it worth visiting?
Trélazé borders the city of Angers in the Maine-et-Loire department and is historically synonymous with slate mining.
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