Nantes

Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, 50 km from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France.

The city was ranked 36th globally from 289 cities and 4th overall in France, behind Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg for innovation across multiple sectors of the economy.

History

After having been occupied by the Gauls and the Romans, Nantes was Christianised in the 3rd century. The city was successively invaded by the Saxons (around 285), the Franks (around 500), the Britons (in the 6th and 7th centuries) and the Normans.
When the Duchy of Brittany was annexed by the kingdom of France in 1532, Nantes kept the Parliament of Brittany for a few years before it was moved to Rennes.
During the 18th century, prior to abolition of slavery, Nantes was the slave trade capital of France. This kind of trade led Nantes to become the largest port in France and a wealthy city. In the 19th century, Nantes became an industrial city.

In 1940, the city was occupied by German troops. The city was twice severely bombed by British forces, on 16 and 23 August 1943, before being liberated by the Americans in 1944.
Until the 1970s, Nantes' harbour was located on the Île de Nantes, when it was moved to the very mouth of the Loire River, at Saint-Nazaire. In the subsequent 20 years, many service sector organisations moved into the area, but economic difficulties forced most of these to close. In 2001, a major redevelopment scheme was launched, the goal of which is to revitalise the island as the new city centre.

Main sights

Castles, churches and mosques:

  • The courtyard of the Château des Ducs de Bretagne
  • The cathedral
  • Sainte Croix church
  • Mosquée des Turcs
  • Château des ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany)
  • Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
  • Église Notre-Dame de Bon-Port (Basilica of Saint-Louis)
  • Église Saint-Nicolas (Basilica of Saint Nicolas, 1844)
  • Église Sainte-Croix (Church of the Holy Cross)
  • Église Saint-Clément
  • Église Saint-Similien
  • Église Saint-Donatien et Saint-Rogatien
  • Église Saint-Félix (former bishop of Nantes)
  • Église Sainte-Thérèse
  • Église Saint-Pasquier
  • Mosquée Arrahma
  • Mosquée des Turcs

Museums

  • Musée d'histoire de Nantes (Nantes History Museum); located inside the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.
  • Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes (Fine Arts Museum of Nantes).
  • Muséum d'histoire naturelle (Natural History museum).
  • Musée Thomas Dobrée (Thomas Dobrée archaeological museum).
  • Musée Jules Verne (Jules Verne museum).
  • Musée naval Maillé-Brézé (naval museum).
  • The Pays de la Loire regional contemporary art collection.
  • The Planetarium.

Historical places

  • The Isle of Nantes; a former shipyard turned into a leisure and cultural site, including the Machines of the Isle of Nantes permanent exhibition.
  • Passage Pommeraye; 19th century galleria with shopping.
  • Brasserie La Cigale; described by Jean-Louis Trintignant as "perhaps the most beautiful brasserie in the world."
  • Place du Commerce; the city's main square.
  • Place Royale; a historic square located in the heart of the city, recently renewed.
  • Place Graslin; a historic place featuring the Theatre of Nantes and famous brasserie La Cigale.
  • Crebillon street and Orleans street lined with luxury boutiques linked by the Place Royale.
  • The new Palais de Justice (court house); built in 2000 and designed by Jean Nouvel.
  • La Tour LU (the LU Tower); a tower standing the entrance of the former Lefèvre-Utile biscuit factory.
  • Beaujoire Stadium; Nantes' largest sports stadium, home of FC Nantes football club.
  • Le Marché de Talensac (Talensac Market the main and historical public market.

Gardens and parks: Jardin des plantes de Nantes, The Parc de Procé (Park of Procé).