‘Made in Anjou’ label: a true local benchmark for quality

A growing number of consumers are now looking for local, authentic and responsibly produced products. In Maine-et-Loire, the ‘Produit en Anjou’ label meets this demand by promoting the region’s expertise. A true guarantee of controlled origin and quality, it identifies products and services manufactured or designed in Anjou – as is the case with our hotel in Angers: the Château des Forges, whilst supporting the local economy. Whether you’re a food lover, a craft enthusiast or a committed professional, discover how this regional brand helps put Anjou on the map.

What is the ‘Produit en Anjou’ label?

Created in 2014, Produit en Anjou is a registered regional brand that identifies and promotes products and services designed or manufactured in Maine-et-Loire. Managed by the ‘Produit en Anjou’ Association, it brings together nearly 200 businesses representing around 6,000 jobs and a turnover of 900 million euros.

Its objectives are clear:

• To help consumers identify products from Anjou and make responsible choices.
• To support the local economy and employment in the region.
• To strengthen the sense of identity and pride in belonging to Anjou.
• To encourage dialogue and collaboration between local businesses.

The brand’s values and mission

Values rooted in the local area

‘Produit en Anjou’ upholds principles that resonate with local residents and businesses: a sense of responsibility, a spirit of solidarity, authenticity, a drive to innovate, sharing and a sense of community. These pillars lend the label its credibility and strengthen the bond between producers and consumers.

Showcasing Anjou’s expertise

The association is committed to promoting the diversity of local talent. Trade fairs, events, campaigns and partnerships all provide opportunities to demonstrate that Anjou is brimming with skills and initiatives across the fields of craftsmanship, industry, agriculture and services.

A driving force for the local economy

Beyond raising the label’s profile, the network supports its members and defends their interests. In particular, it raises public awareness of the benefits of buying locally and lobbies institutions to support employment and the region’s competitiveness.

Criteria for obtaining the label

Local presence is essential

Only businesses that produce or process goods in Maine-et-Loire are eligible for the label. This requirement ensures a direct link with Anjou and its traditional skills.

Products rooted in the region

Ingredients must come from the department as far as possible, and more than half of the added value must be generated locally. This condition ensures that each product provides tangible support for the local economy.

A rigorous charter

Adhering to the ‘Produit en Anjou’ label also means complying with specific rules: quality, hygiene, safety, respect for the environment and collective commitment. It should be noted that an on-site inspection and a duly completed application form are required to validate each application, and serve as a guarantee of integrity and transparency.

Which products and services are covered?

A wide range of sectors represented

The ‘Produit en Anjou’ label is not limited to food products. It covers the entire economic fabric of the Angers region, from crafts to industry, including services and tourism.

Some concrete examples

In the world of fine food, we find well-known names such as Benoit Chocolats, Chocolaterie Guisabel, Cointreau and Les Pommes Tapées. In the plant-based and agricultural sectors, examples include Anjou Noisettes, France Champignon and QUINOA d’Anjou. Craft and industry are also in the spotlight, with organisations such as Ateliers Perrault and Terres Cuites Rairies Montrieux.

Local services and experiences

The label also promotes service and hospitality businesses. Croisières Saumur Loire and Terra Botanica offer a different way to explore the region, whilst organisations such as Le Château des Forges showcase high-end accommodation. Agencies such as Agence Pirouette and socially responsible organisations like Envie 2E 49 demonstrate the richness and modernity of the network.

Le Château des Forges: a true ambassador for the label in the hospitality sector

An exceptional venue in the heart of Anjou

The first hotel in the department to be awarded the ‘Produit en Anjou’ label in the ‘Service’ category, the Château des Forges perfectly embodies the spirit of this regional brand. On the outskirts of Angers, the hotel offers a beautiful natural setting with its 6-hectare wooded park, swimming pool, meeting room and 14 elegant rooms.

A recognised and shared commitment

Acquired in 2019 by partners from Angers and opened in 2020, the hotel was awarded ECOLABEL certification in 2022. Its recent membership of the ‘Produit en Anjou’ network marks an important milestone: “This distinction recognises our commitment to promoting the excellence and authenticity of our region,” emphasises Nathalie Busson, the hotel’s manager. The award of the label was also celebrated with a convivial gathering, attended by the ‘Produit en Anjou’ team and several local producers.

Angers’ flavours and expertise in the spotlight

A stay at the Château des Forges, a charming hotel on the outskirts of Angers, also offers the chance to discover products from many of the label’s partner members. At breakfast or whilst relaxing, you’ll find, for example, coffee from the Brûlerie de la Maine, sweet treats from Les Délices de Flo, fruit from Les Vergers de la Silve, the famous Crèmet d’Anjou, not to mention collaborations with Giffard, Gouline et Compagnie, Les Treilles Gourmandes and Miel et Loire. These partnerships embody the hotel’s commitment to showcasing the very best the region has to offer and providing its guests with an authentically Angevin experience.

The ‘Produit en Anjou’ label promotes the excellence and dynamism of the Maine-et-Loire region. As the first hotel to be awarded this label, the Château des Forges embodies this ambition by offering an experience that celebrates the produce and craftsmanship of Anjou.