Tourist information on Nantes, France

Nantes is a large city near the Atlantic coast in northwest France, the capital of the department of Loire-Atlantique and the region of Pays de la Loire. Located on the banks of the River Loire, it is France's sixth largest city, a major centre of industry, commerce education and tourism. Previously, Nantes was the capital of Brittany and still has strong ties with that region. It also used to be one of France's busiest ports, although most of the commercial traffic has migrated downstream to other ports such as Saint-Nazaire. Nantes is often referred to as the Venice of the West, because of its position on the delta comprising the rivers Loire, Erdre and Sèvre. The city's historic architecture and the region's stunning natural scenery have made Nantes a popular holiday destination.

Nantes derives its name from the Gaulish tribe, the Namnetes, who settled in the area in 70 BC. From 56 BC to the latter part of the 3rd century AD, the city was occupied by the Romans, who renamed it Portus Namnetum. After the departure of the Romans, the city came under the control of the Franks and was crucial in thwarting the expansion of Brittany, although Nantes and the surrounding region were ultimately conquered by the Bretons in the middle of the 9th century. In 946, Nantes was revived by Alain Barbe-Torte, grandson of the last king of Brittany, who founded the Duchy of Brittany. The 12th century was marked by conflict between the Dukes of Brittany and the counts of Nantes. As the capital of Brittany, Nantes played a pivotal role in the wars between France and Brittany in the later years of the 15th century. Nantes remained the Breton capital when the region was incorporated into the kingdom of France in 1532. In the 18th century, Nantes grew prosperous as one of the main slave trading centres of Europe. A century on, it became a great industrial city, thriving in the production of food and textiles, sugar refining and ship-building.

As the capital of Brittany and a major economic power in the 18th century, Nantes flaunted its wealth and importance most prominently through its architecture. Old Nantes (la vieille ville) is replete with historic buildings and monuments which bear testimony to the city's former glory days. Most prominent of these is Le Château des ducs de Bretagne, the residence of the Dukes of Brittany from the 13th to the 16th century. A superlative example of Medieval and Renaissance architecture, complete with towers and ramparts, this fortified château is situated on the right bank of the Loire River and houses Nantes History Museum in 32 of its castle rooms. Nearby is the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, a grand Gothic cathedral that dates back to the 5th century (although its most recent features were added in the late 19th century). The cathedral's main attraction is its tombs, notably that of François II, Duke of Brittany, which is striking with its ornately crafted marble statues.

Between the Château and the Cathedral lies the Place du Bouffay, a Medieval square in the heart of old Nantes which is known for its Breton culture, bars and restaurants. Nearby is Decré, a pedestrianised shopping area. La Place du commerce is the city's main square and is at the centre of Nantes. Towards the west is the Butte Sainte Anne, with its historic buildings and view of the old port. Nearby are la Place Royale (a historic square), le Quai de la Fosse (Nantes' red light district), la rue Crébillon (a very pricey shopping area) and the Passage Pommeraye (a 19th century shopping mall). Place Graslin is a historic square which is the site of Nantes' main theatre (le Théâtre Graslin) and La Cigale, the city's most famous brasserie. Le Marché Talensac is Nantes' main open air market, a good place to buy local produce. For liquid refreshments, head for the Quai des Antilles, which boasts several good bars and restaurants. If you want to get away from it all, visit the Île de Versailles, a tranquil island in the river Erdre, near the city centre. The whole island has been beautifully landscaped as a Japanese garden.

La Place Mellinet is one of Nantes' more distinctive squares, bordered by eight symmetrical houses arranged in an octagon. Nearby are the port and Maillé-Brézé, a moored warship which is accessible to the public. Situated near the port is the Église Notre-Dame de Bon-Port (Basilica of Saint-Louis), a baroque-style church of the mid-19th century whose main distinguishing feature is its dome, which resembles that of the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. Place Maréchal-Foch is the site of one of the few remaining statues of Louis XVI, the king who was beheaded during the French Revolution. Île Feydeau is known for its grandiose 18th century architecture, which shows off the wealth of Nantes' ship-owners when the city was a major trading centre. La Tour LU is an attractive tower (at the entrance to the former Lefevre-Utile biscuit factory) which offers fantastic panoramic views of the city.

For the culturally minded, Nantes offers a wide range of museums, foremost of which is the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum), which exhibits one of France's finest art collections. Its paintings range from the 13th to the 20th century (including work by Delacroix, Courbet, Monet, Picasso and Chagall), housed in the supremely elegant Palais des beaux-art on rue Clémenceau. Another must-see museum is the Musée Jules-Verne (situated on the Butte Sainte Anne) which is dedicated to the famous science-fiction writer who lived in Nantes. Nearby, is the city's state-of-the-art Planetarium, a modern facility which, with its stunning 3-D graphics, really does broaden your horizons.

Another highly educational museum is the Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Nantes, a National History Museum with a wide-ranging collection of minerals and animals. Its bird taxidermy collection is particularly impressive and includes some rare specimens. The Musée Thomas Dobrée is the city's archaeological museum, whilst the Machines de l'Ile de Nantes (Machines of the Isle of Nantes) is an exhibition of mechanical animals, including a giant elephant. The latter is located on the Isle of Nantes, a former shipyard which now functions as a leisure site. If it is green open space you are after, visit the Jardin des Plantes (Garden of Plants), which is just outside the city's main train station. Alternatively, take a trip to the nearby resort town of La Baule, which offers some of the region's most attractive beaches.

Nantes Atlantique Airport, located 8 km to the southwest of the city, provides connections to several major cities in France (including Paris and Lyon) and the UK. Bus and tram services to the city centre operate from the airport, the journey time being around 30 minutes. Nantes is also connected to Paris via its high speed (TGV) rail link. There is a regular train service from Nantes railway station to many other French cities. Within Nantes, there is an excellent public transport system, comprising buses, trams and river buses.