Nantes (Loire-Atlantique)

The Chateau des ducs de Bretagne

Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) mini guide

In the middle ages Nantes was the capital of the independent Duchy of Brittany and the town grew up around its castle, the last on the Loire. It is now in the Loire Atlantique department of the Pays de la Loire although some people have been urging its restoration to Brittany!

The town sits on the confluence of the Loire, Erdre, Sèvre, Chézine and Cens rivers and is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the West. As mentioned the town was home to the Dukes of Brittany and notably the duchesse Anne of Brittany before the region became part of France in 1532. One other notable point in its history was the signing of the Nantes Edict by Henri IV in 1598, giving Protestants their religious freedom and putting an end to the wars of religion.

Nantes is divided into two distinct parts: the old town and the new town.

The old town dates back to mediaeval times and is set around the white stoned Cathédrale de St-Pierre-et-St-Paul and the Château des Ducs. The Château has a colourful past and has sheltered (or imprisoned) some of history’s most famous (and infamous) characters!

No less worth exploring is the nineteenth century city, with its museums and art galleries.

If you are into shopping then look no further than the Passage Pommeraye. This nineteenth century  shopping mall is of such splendour that shopping becomes another art form!

You will also want to visit the lovely Place Royale, with its centrepiece fountain, and the surrounding streets, which offer a huge variety of restaurants covering most major cuisines.

If you like museums why not try the Musée des Beaux Arts where there are many famous paintings to be seen, or the natural history museum (Musée d'Histoire Naturelle).