Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard visits Angers

The Minister of Culture, Catherine Pégard, is expected in Angers (Maine-et-Loire) on Thursday, April 9, 2026, for an official visit focusing on two major heritage sites in the local area, as indicated by the prefecture. But where will she go and for what special occasion is she coming?

A tour of the Angers Castle

According to the planned schedule communicated by the prefecture, the minister’s arrival is scheduled just before 4:30 p.m. at the Angers Castle. A visit to the site is planned, with a walk along the ramparts to reach tower number 1, where explanations will be provided by the castle’s administrator.

The program then includes a walk on the north ramparts, followed by a visit to the Gallery of the Apocalypse with Benjamin Carcaud, curator at DRAC.

The prefecture highlights that the castle is one of the highlights of this visit, emphasizing its iconic nature, especially through the preservation of the Apocalypse tapestry.

Heading to Saint-Maurice Cathedral

The most anticipated part of this visit is the inauguration of the contemporary gallery at Saint-Maurice Cathedral, an arrangement designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

According to the prefecture of Maine-et-Loire, this visit is also intended to showcase the state’s action in heritage conservation and support for contemporary architectural creation.

According to the prefecture of Maine-et-Loire, the minister is expected to meet Kengo Kuma and 40 students from the Nantes School of Architecture around 5:20 p.m. before the scheduled inauguration at 6 p.m. It will be an official event including a religious ceremony and a show organized by Le Quai.

Several personalities are expected to participate, including Kengo Kuma, noted as the architect in charge of the project, Bishop Delmas of Angers, Mayor Christophe Béchu of Angers, and of course, Catherine Pégard, the Minister of Culture.

The prefecture of Maine-et-Loire also announces an artistic sequence involving live performances, music, and dance, in collaboration with cultural actors from the region.

A very special gallery

Beyond protocol, this ministerial visit is presented by the prefecture as a moment to showcase a project at the intersection of heritage and contemporary creation.

The gallery inaugurated at the cathedral is intended to protect and showcase the recently restored polychrome medieval portal. It is also set to be a new interface between the city and the religious building.

The document emphasizes that this structure was designed as an autonomous entity, respectful of the historic monument, in a dialogue between ancient heritage and contemporary architecture.