Located in the Loire estuary, where the river opens out onto the Atlantic, Nantes offers natural beauty, culture and shopping, and is the focus of some major urban renewal projects. Although its location on the edge of the river places it firmly within the Loire region, Nantes has firm historical ties to Brittany, which is evidenced by its 15th-century Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne. The chateau was home to Anne de Bretagne and was famously the place where Gilles de Raid (the killer who inspired the story of Bluebeard) was held prisoner before being burned at the stake.
The chateau is now home to the Musée des Artes Populaires, and two other museums offering artifacts, textile art, and a frank chronicle of Nantes' involvement in the 18th-century slave trade. The architecture of 18th-century Nantes, which was funded by the trade, is preserved among examples of Nantes' medieval architecture, in the Vielle Ville.
For the Vielle Ville, head to the place Graslin for restaurants, bars and shops. Near the place Graslin is the Rue Crébillon, a good place for up-market shopping. It leads to the ornate Passage Pommeraye, known for its boutiques. Look out for local specialties including, "fleur de sel" salt, sweets such as berlingots and rigolettes; and Pornic ceramics.
Nantes has worked hard to establish itself as a destination for culture, and offers a dizzying calendar of cultural events each year, including theatre, dance, opera and numerous music festivals. The Musée Jules Verne celebrates the author, who lived in Nantes for most of his life.
Take a walk along the Loire river, or stroll the Japanese gardens of the Ile de Versailles. River cruises are available on the Erdre river, the Sèvre nantaise and the Loire. It's also possible to hire a boat or explore the Erdre yourself in a canoe.
There are fourteen outdoor markets in Nantes, including a flower market at the place du Commerce and a flea market at the place de Viarme, where seasonal produce and local colour abound.
The city is investing heavily in a number of urban renewal projects. The rejuvenated Ile de Nantes is the focus of a new, cultural centre for the city. The highlight of Ile de Nantes is the huge, mechanical elephant, which is a must see. The centre ville and Malakoff sections of the city have also been renovated as part of recent "grands projets".
