Espace Air Passion, also known as Musée Régional de l’Air, is an aviation museum located in Angers, in the Loire Valley region of western France. Presents a group of aircraft representative of the French aeronautical epic, from the oldest of the aircraft on display, the René Gasnier (owned by the city of Angers), which made the first flights in Anjou in 1908, to more recent private aircraft dating from the 1980s.

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Espace Air Passion

Musée Régional de l’Air d’Angers-Marcé

Angers Loire Aéroport

49140 Marcé

France

www.musee-aviation-angers.fr

info@musee-aviation-angers.fr

+33 2 41 33 04 10

April 16 – October 15

• Tuesday – Saturday 14:00 – 18:00
• Sunday 15:00 – 19:00
• In July and August also open in the morning 10:00 – 12:00
• closed on Monday

October 16 – April 15

• Saturday – Sunday 14:00 – 18:00

Admission fee

Gift shop

Location: The museum is located in Angers, in the Loire Valley region of France, approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) west of Paris. It is easily accessible by car or train from major cities in the region.

Aircraft collection

– F-CAGQ F-CABQ F-AZVI F-CDBF – F-BHVI F-CRRI F-CAHD F-PFLB F-CABM F-CAEZ F-CBKA F-CAUP F-CAHD F-CAHE F-PJHB F-CCCP F-CCFN – OO-ZRP F-CDHU F-CRBI F-CRMG F-CBVG F-CRJF F-CALS F-CABN HB-UEF – F-CRRD – F-PJRP – F-PJSV F-PKVF F-PCZT F-PKVF F-PGUI F-CCGK F-CRQX F-PYJF 335/F-UKGG F-BMTS F-BFLC F-BJDU F-PKXH – F-CROF F-CRDO F-PDPZ F-PAXU F-PTXA F-BHFP F-PJBG F-WYRY – F-PEZI F-PAGT F-PPPN 38/MJC F-PBGE F-WEAZ – – – – – – F-PYTA – – – 166 – F-PKVF F-BFLC 50.S.7/ F-BIPJ F-BEJI F-BMQA F-BLXL F-BXJR F-BLYB F-BNEI F-BRKD F-BLKY F-TFVN/6VN 18/CA F-PLJB F-PFHN F-BNAL/57 F-PMBC F-BDZP F-BBKU F-CRJI F-CAXL F-CBGB F-CBVP 45 F-BDZP F-BJBC F-AJUL F-BJFR F-PRAK F-PYFY F-BCPY F-PVQB F-CFGG – F-PRPC F-PYEB F-PYIO F-PVQB – – F-PEVV F-PHZC – F-CROF F-PEEX F-PFOO F-BGAA 26/315UY – F-PYLM F-PEAY – – F-PLAR – – F-BKJI F-CRMX F-CCPT F-AZIH – – F-CAJB F-CCCZ F-CCAZ F-AZKA – F-CCEH F-CCEO F-CCEE F-CCHH F-CCHJ F-CCKE F-CCLZ F-CCOI F-CDCS F-CDUU F-CDXC F-CCBC F-CEOD F-CCML F-CDIJ F-CDJJ

1908 Rene Gasnier Type III Arsenal AIR 102 Arsenal AIR 102 Avia 52A Avialsa A-60 Fauconnet Boisavia B-601 Mercurey Boisavia B-601 Mercurey Boulay-Menin BM-1 Caudron Aiglon Caudron C-601 Aiglon Caudron C.800 Epervier Caudron C.800 Epervier Caudron C.800 Epervier Caudron C.800 Epervier Caudron C.800 Epervier Caudron C.800 Epervier Caudron C-431 Rafale Breguet Br.901S Mouette Brequet Br.904S Nymphale Brylinski JJ-2 Carman M-100 Mesange Carman M-200 Foehn Castel C.25S Biarritz Castel C.3010 Castel C.301S Ailette Castel C.310p Castel C.311p Castel-Mauboussin CM-8/15 Cessna UC-78 Bobcat Chapeau EC-19 Chapeau-Durand CXD-18 Cosandey Pou-planeur Croses LC-6 Curtiss Wright CW1 Junior Dabos JD-24 D Artagnan de Havilland DH.80A Push Moth Druine D-31 Turbulent Duruble RD02r Edelweis Evans VP-1 Volksplane Fauvel AV-22 SA Fauvel AV361Monobloc Fere F-3 Fouga CM170R Magister Fournier RF-3 Gardan GY-20 Minicab Gardan GY-80 Horizon Gaucher GA-620 Gaucho Gerin V-6E Varvivol Guerchais-Roche SA-103 Emouchet Guerchais-Roche SA-104 Emouchet Holleville RH-01 Bambi Jodel D-92 Bebe Jodel D-113 Paris-Nice Jodel D-120 Jurca Sirocco Labit LR Gyrocopter Lachassagne AL-07 Lacroix LNB-12 Autoplan Leduc RL-19 Lemaire 01 Max Holste MH1521M Broussard Max Plan MP-204 Max Williams MW-25 Motorfly Max Williams MW-33 Chanute Marais 01 Meyers David Woodstock Michel Barry MB-02 Souricette Mignet HM-8 Raoul Masson Mignet HM-8 Rene Daviller Mignet HM-8 Mignet HM-8B Mignet HM-14 Pou du Ciel Mignet HM-14 Pou du Ciel Mignet HM-14 Pou du Ciel Mignet HM-290 Mignet HM-360 Minicab Morane Saulnier MS505 Criquet Morane-Saulnier MS-572 Morane-Saulnier MS-733 Alcyon Morane-Saulnier MS-733 Alcyon Morane-Saulnier MS-733 Alcyon Morane-Saulnier MS-733 Alcyon Morane-Saulnier MS-733 Alcyon Morane-Saulnier MS-893 Rallye Commodore Moynet M360-6 Jupiter Mudry Cap-10B Mudry Cap-232 Nicollier HN-434 Super Menestrel Nicollier HN-500 Bengali SNCAN NC-856A Norvigie SNCAN NC-856G Norvigie SNCAC NC-858S Chardonneret SNCAN N1203 Norecri SNCAN Nord 1300 SNCAN Nord 1300 SNCAN Nord 2000 SNCAN Nord 2000 Nord N3400 Nord N3400 North American T-6G Texan Peyret-Mauboussin PM-XI Piel CP.301 C-1 Emeraude Piel CP-402 Donald Piel CP-80TR Piper L-4H Grasshopper Potez JD60 Pottier JP-15/34 Pottier P.60 Minarco Pottier P.70S Pottier P.80S Saint-Germain Raz Mut Rene GASNE RG-01 Rene Leduc RL19 Riout 102T Alerion Roger Adam RA-14 Loisirs Roger Adam RA-15 Major Sablier S-18 SA 103 Emouchet SFAN II SFAN IV SIPA S.901 SOCATA TB-30 Epsilon Starck AS-07 Stabiplan Starck AS-37b Starck AS-57 Stern ST-85 Team Aircraft Hi-Max Tipsy (Fairey) T.66 Nipper Mk.III Tresy TG-01 Trucawaysee Wassmer WA40 DFS (Schweyer) Weihe 1939 Scheibe Zugvogel IIIB Schempp-Hirth Standard-Austria Schulgleiter SG-38 Schulgleiter SG-38 Schulgleiter SG-38 Siren C.30S Edelweiss Siren C.34 Edelweiss IV SZD 24c Foka Truchet Abyssin Wassmer Wa-21 Javelot Wassmer Wa-21 Javelot Wassmer Wa-21 Javelot Wassmer Wa-21 Javelot Wassmer Wa-21 Javelot Wassmer Wa-21 Javelot Wassmer Wa-22 Super Javelot Wassmer Wa-22 Super Javelot Wassmer Wa-22a Super Javelot Wassmer Wa-26CM Squale Wassmer Wa-26P Squale Wassmer Wa-28 Espadon Wassmer Wa-28 Espadon Wassmer Wa-30 Bijave Wassmer Wa-30 Bijave Wassmer Wa-30 Bijave

Photos Johnny Comstedt

Key Features of Espace Air Passion:

1. Collection of Aircraft:
   • The Espace Air Passion’s collection includes a variety of historic aircraft, with a strong focus on light aircraft, gliders, and experimental planes. The museum is known for housing several French aviation classics, some of which are rare or significant to the history of aviation in France.
   • The aircraft on display span several decades and include a wide range of civilian and military aircraft from the early 20th century to the present day.
   • Notable aircraft in the collection may include vintage biplanes, monoplanes, and examples of early gliders and propeller-driven planes.
2. Glider and Light Aircraft Focus:
   • One of the special aspects of Espace Air Passion is its focus on gliders and light aircraft. The Espace Air Passion has several glider models, some of which are historical examples used in the development of the aviation sport.
   • It also includes aircraft used for flight training, as well as pilots’ equipment, showcasing the tools that allowed aviation enthusiasts to fly and innovate in the early and mid-20th century.
3. Exhibits on Aviation History:
   • The museum offers exhibitions on the history of aviation, with particular emphasis on the development of flight in France. It covers milestones such as the first flights, the golden age of aviation, and the role of aviation pioneers in both France and globally.
   • Displays often highlight French aviation companies, important aerospace engineers, and aircraft designers, as well as the historical events and technological developments that marked key periods in aviation history.
4. Interactive Displays and Workshops:
   • The Espace Air Passion is highly interactive, offering opportunities for visitors to engage with exhibits and learn about aviation principles. There are educational workshops, demonstrations, and sometimes flight simulators, where visitors can experience the feeling of flying.
   • It is a family-friendly museum with activities that are geared toward educating visitors of all ages about aviation.
5. Aircraft Restoration Projects:
   • Espace Air Passion is also known for its dedication to aircraft restoration. The museum often showcases ongoing restoration projects, where visitors can witness the painstaking process of bringing vintage aircraft back to life.
   • Some of the aircraft on display may be in various stages of restoration, offering insight into the work and skills involved in maintaining and preserving historical planes.
6. Aviation Events and Demonstrations:
   • The Espace Air Passion hosts several aviation-related events throughout the year, including fly-ins, airshows, and special exhibitions, allowing visitors to experience aircraft in flight and to learn more about aviation practices.
   • Espace Air Passion is part of a community of aviation enthusiasts and is often a venue for local and national aviation clubs to showcase their work and passion.
7. Local and Regional Aviation History:
   • The museum highlights the significance of the Loire Valley region to aviation history. In particular, the Angers region played a role in the development of early flight technologies and the French aviation industry.
   • The Espace Air Passion celebrates the contributions of local aviation pioneers and manufacturers from the region.

Why Visit Espace Air Passion?

• Aviation Enthusiasts: For anyone interested in aviation history, especially in the context of light aircraft, gliders, and vintage aircraft, this museum offers a unique and comprehensive collection.
• Educational for All Ages: The Espace Air Passion is an excellent educational resource for both children and adults, with interactive exhibits that explain the science of flight and aviation history in an engaging way.
• Restoration and Preservation: If you are interested in aircraft restoration or want to see the behind-the-scenes efforts to preserve historic aircraft, this museum offers valuable insights into those processes.
• Regional Aviation Heritage: For those curious about the Loire Valley’s contribution to aviation, the museum provides a local context and perspective on how the region helped shape aviation technology.

Espace Air Passion offers a fascinating journey through the world of aviation history, aircraft technology, and French aviation heritage, making it a must-visit for aviation lovers and history buffs visiting the Loire Valley.

The Espace Air Passion exhibits many unique pieces, such as the GERIN V-6E Varivol, the RIOUT 102T Alerion, or the MOYNET 360-6 Jupiter, as well as an exceptional collection of old gliders in excellent state of conservation (FAUVEL, AVIA, ARSENAL..).