Nantes

Nantes, France

Playful and creative, vibrant and young, Nantes has been literally turned upside down by art! Located in the south of Brittany, it is just 45 minutes away from the Atlantic Ocean. Visit its magnificent castle of the Dukes of Brittany, follow the footsteps of Jules Verne (born in Nantes) and ride on the Grand Elephant at Les Machines de l’île. Stroll in the medieval quarter, enjoy a collection of 30 contemporary artworks displayed in the city and along the Estuary of the Loire !

Population:

650,000 Nantes Metropole

Currency:

Euro / €

Emergency Numbers:

Medical: 15 or 112
Police: 17
Fire: 18

Opening Hours:

Many shops are open Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm.

Newspapers:

Ouest France
Presse-Ocean

The City

France’s sixth-largest city, lies on the Loire estuary in the west of France, some 50 km from the coast. A former commercial and maritime centre of Brittany, the city boats a strong historical and cultural heritage.
Nantes was the capital of the independent Duchy of Brittany back in the Middle Ages and came to be a key trading port in the 18th century, thanks to its strategic position at the Loire, Erdre and Sevre rivers. Today, the city remains a prosperous and popular part of Western France.
Its impressive Castle of the dukes of Brittany, the cobbled streets and the charming half-timbered houses in the medieval Bouffay quarter still remind visitors of Nantes’ glamorous past, but the city has more to offer than just history. It boasts a lively art scene, a strong culinary background as well as a thriving nightlife. Live performances, exhibitions, concerts and tourist attractions interact with an original and coherent offer.
The figureheads of these numerous suggestions are: the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and the Machines de l’île.

Do & See

Just follow the green line ! Do you know of any other destination that – in one single kilometre – can bring together; a walk along the banks of the river Loire on a 12m high Grand Eléphant, a XVth century castle, a history museum that uses contemporary scenography to conjure the past, present and future and on top of that, an artistic trail designed by some of today’s greatest artists? Come to Nantes to discover the “cité des ducs” and a single part of its rich architectural and cultural heritage. Nantes has 1,001 attributes; none more important than the one making you want to come on another journey in Nantes!

Dining

The area boasts some of France’s finest produce, recipes and wines. Wherever you go, seafood, straight out of the Atlantic, is on the menu. Want a simple grilled fish? Eat it with a beurre blanc sauce, created right here in town and surroundings. Need a pinch of sea salt? The very best comes from Guérande. This is also France’s kitchen garden, producing flavourful, tender vegetables. Partner it all with a glass of Muscadet, the local white wine that goes so well with oysters or fish, mussels or crab. Award-winning winemakers and chefs guarantee memorable meals. www.lestablesdenantes.fr/en/

Cafes

The city offers many places to relax and where you can have a break around a coffee and Nantes‘ sweetmeats like BN or biscuits LU, “berlingot” and “rigolette” sweets, butter-scotch caramels, “fouace” starshaped sweet bread, Nantes cake, chocolates, coffee…