Old capital of the Dukes of Brittany, Nantes is nowadays the 7th town of France. Its old districts, its castel, its cathedral, its gardens, its commercial dynamism make Nantes a pleasant town to live in.

The old Nantes is not to be missed. Let's begin with its cathedral, the constuction of which began in 1434 and finished only in 189. Build in gothic style, the height of its nave as the tomb of François II and Marguerite de Foix, parents of Anne of Brittany, are really impressive. The castle build in 1466 by François II and completed by his daughter was finally fortified by the duke of Mercoeur during the "troubles de la Ligue" (troubles of the league). What a striking contrast etween the medieval aspect of it's towers, moats and ramparts on the one hand and its aboad from the renaissance on the other hand. the district of Bouffay preserves in the "rue de la Juiverie" houses wityh wooden sections and offer a magnifiscient view on the "beffroy de l’église Sainte-Croix (17th)".

Don't either miss the Feydeau island whose many buildings were erected at the 18th century by triangular trade merchants. The Graslin square and its theatre (1808),the Royale suqare and its fountain (1865), the crébillon street, the beatiful commercial gallery of the "Passage de la Pommeraye" (19th) also deserve the detour.

Nantes is particullary renowned for its gardens and green spaces : le jardin des Plantes (garden of plants), le jardin des 5 sens (garden of the 5 senses), le jardin japonisant de l’île de Versailles (japanese styled garden od the versaille island), le parc de Procé (the park of Procé), le parc de la Gaudinière, le parc floral de la Beaujoire, les serres tropicales du Grand Blottereau (the tropical greenhouse of Blottereau), all of them have their own charm.

The fine arts museum (10, rue Georges Clémenceau), is one of the most importants in France (tél. 33(0)2.40.41.65.65). The on of the Dukes of Brittany, at the castle, at present presents temporary exibitions (tél. 33(0)2.40.41.56.56). Thomas Dobrée's Museum contains various collections of paintings, manuscripts or precious pieces of earthenware. At the same place can be found the museum of Archeology (18, rue Voltaire (tél. 33(0)2.40.71.03.50)). The museum of natural history stands in the same street at the n°12 (tél. 33(0)2.40.99.26.40). The Jules Verne museum pays a tribute ti this cfamous man from Nantes (3, rue de l’Hermitage (Tél. 33(0)2.40.69.72.52)).

Walks are possible on the Loire and on the Erdre. Diverse navigation compagnies created many programms. In town, the stopping trains of the Dame Blanche (white lady) offer 30 minutes trips in horse-drawn carriages (tél. 33(0)2.40.38.34.16).

Events :

January : La Folle Journée (the crazy day)
March : Salon Embarque à Nantes
April : Festival le Club des 5
July : Festival d'Eté Musique sur l'Ile (summer festival music on the island)
September : Les RDV de l'Erdre
November : Festival des 3 Continents (festival of the 3 continents)

Practical guide to Nantes: 270.251 habitants, "Nantais"
Paris (385km) ; Rennes (110km) ; Vannes (111km)

Townhall: Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville
Code postal: 44000
Tél. 02 40 41.90.00

Tourism office: 7, rue de Valmy
Tél. 02.40.20.60.00
Fax. 02.40.89.11.99

E.mail: Dircom@mairie-nantes.fr
Sites: http://www.tourisme.voila.fr/villes/nantes/fra/dec/_pre/acc.htm
http://www.mairie-nantes.fr/Index.htm

Cityguide : http://www.vivanantes.com

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