Nantes, Ecological And Legendary City
Situated on the banks of the Loire River, this western French city offers a wealth of history and culture. Populated by the Romans in ancient times, today there are traces of the passage of each era and civilization in its buildings, cathedrals and bridges. We invite you to stroll through Nantes, ecological and legendary.
Heritage Nantes
With a very important Roman past and the main witness of battles, wars and empires, Nantes is an ideal city for lovers of ancient history. But also for those who seek modernity in their travels. The old capital of French Brittany until the 16th century requires several days to be visited and traversed.
Its urban center with squares, palaces and churches, its port that opens into the Atlantic Ocean and the luminous art of Daniel Buren are just some of the attractions of Nantes. If you only have one weekend to get to know this great city, we recommend that you start early … and don’t stop for a minute!
What to know in Nantes?
We will not be so strict, you can rest a bit between each appeal. Do not forget to hydrate and wear comfortable shoes. The must-sees of Nantes are:
Ducal Castle
The great monument of the city. It belonged to the Dukes of Brittany and was the seat of the rulers until 1532. Around the castle, in Renaissance style, a wall, a great moat, seven turrets and only three entrance gates were built.
Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul
It is located near the wall. The flamboyant Gothic style of the 15th century with which it was built in its beginnings is preserved in some sectors of the building. The rest corresponds to the reconstruction that took place in 1972, since a fire destroyed a large part of the cathedral.
Royale Square
To get to this place (a perfect stop to rest your feet while admiring the surrounding buildings) you can take Rue de la Marne in the central Bouffay district. In the center there is a beautiful fountain that symbolizes the maritime tradition of Nantes. The square was built in the seventeenth century and links the old with the new.
Edre river channel
To the north of the city is located this perfect place for lovers of nature and outdoor activities. You can enjoy boat or canoe trips, and even encourage yourself to go a little further to visit several of the castles that are part of the Loire Valley.
Garden of Plants
Next to the train station and the Museum of Fine Arts, this large park to the west of the city is almost 2 centuries old. The plant collections include cacti, trees, and some 600 varieties of camellias. It is a place chosen by the natives to rest on weekends.
Feydeau houses
This old port area is located on the banks of the Loire, where the main attraction are the “crooked” houses. In the 18th century they belonged to the most prosperous shipping companies in the region and today they are a must-see attraction in Nantes.
Opposite the docks is the Loire Island with an old warehouse called “Hangar de las bananas”, which organizes different cultural and gastronomic activities.
Jules Verne Museum
If you are a fan of this writer, you surely know that he was born in Nantes… and of course he has his museum! It’s called Quai d’Aiguillon and it will make you live many adventures, just like his books. For starters, in the entrance garden there is a statue of Captain Nemo. The museum is located to the south of the city and also offers original writings by Verne.
And finally, we are going to explain why the title of this article includes the word “ecological” when portraying Nantes. Because it was named “European Green Capital” in 2013. What is the reason for such a title? To its routes where we can enjoy nature in all its expression, and also to its sustainable transport network, the use of bicycles and the amount of green areas (less than 300 meters from any location you will find a square or park).
Have we convinced you to travel to Nantes?
