Dating in Angers: Best Free Sites & Apps for English Speakers

A calm city with many students

Angers, the historic capital of Anjou, is known for its massive château, home of the medieval Apocalypse Tapestry, and for its parks and gardens. It regularly appears near the top of French quality-of-life rankings. It is also a student city: the Université d’Angers, the Université catholique de l’Ouest and schools such as ESSCA and ESEO bring a young population, including international students on exchange.

The result is a pleasant but rather French-speaking dating scene. Angevins are known as friendly and easy-going, and the city is small enough that you can bike everywhere, which makes meeting up after a few messages very easy.

Platforms by profile

Here is how our France ranking applies to Angers:

• Meetic: the main site for a serious relationship, 25 to 49, in French.
• eDarling: long-term dating for over-40s, built around a free personality test.
• DisonsDemain: singles over 50, free to register and like.
• DateMyAge: English interface, singles over 40, messaging by credits.

For free chat, Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are the main apps, and happn works well in the compact centre around Place du Ralliement.

Where Angers goes out

Place du Ralliement is the heart of the city, surrounded by cafés and the theatre. The streets around it and Rue Saint-Laud are full of bars and restaurants, busy with students in the evening. Across the Maine, La Doutre is the old quarter of half-timbered houses, quieter and charming for a stroll.

For daytime dates, the Lac de Maine is the city’s outdoor playground, with a beach, walking paths and water sports. The Jardin des Plantes and the Jardin du Mail are central and free. A visit to the château, with its gardens on the ramparts, is an easy cultural date.

Offline, sports clubs, the university’s international associations and wine events in the Anjou vineyards are good ways to meet people. Every September, the Accroche-Cœurs street festival fills the centre with free performances.

Tips for Angers

Angers is relaxed and unpretentious: a bike ride by the Maine and a drink on a terrace make a perfect first date. In the summer, many students leave, so the apps are quieter in July and August. Meet in public places, tell a friend your plans and never send money to someone you met online.

Which site fits you in Angers?

Lucas, 24, exchange student at ESSCA

He is in Angers for a semester and wants to meet people quickly. Tinder and Hinge are free and busy with students. Free tip: the international students’ associations run weekly social events.

Camille, 32, nurse at the hospital, lives near the Jardin des Plantes

She works shifts and wants something serious. Meetic fits her age and goal. Free tip: browsing and likes are free, so she can use it at her own pace.

Mark, 51, British engineer who moved to Anjou for work

His French is improving but he writes in English. DateMyAge works in English for over-40s. Free tip: wine-tasting evenings in the Anjou vineyards are great for meeting locals.

Sylvie, 66, retired teacher in La Doutre

She wants companionship and outings. DisonsDemain is designed for over-50s. Free tip: profile and likes are free.

Dating in Angers: FAQ

Is Angers a good city for students to date?

Yes. It has a large student population, cheap nights out and a walkable centre.

Where should I go on a first date in Angers?

A café on Place du Ralliement, a walk around the Lac de Maine or a visit to the château and its gardens.

Which dating site works in English in Angers?

DateMyAge for over-40s. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and happn also work in English.