A quick tour of Nantes

[bjd]

I finally managed to upload my photos of a very quick trip to Nantes. We arrived at 9:30 pm and left at noon the next day, so these were all taken during a walk through the centre of the city that morning.

There are several interesting things about Nantes -- there is a pink line drawn along roads and sidewalks, so even without a map you can see the main attractions of the city just by following it. And, summer in Nantes is a cultural festival. This year it's called Voyage à Nantes and there are photo exhibits, outdoor installations. We were lucky enough to be there at the right time, but unfortunately didn't have time to visit any exhibitions.

And to the French, Nantes is the home of the LU cookie factories. So some of the former factories have been turned into cultural centres, although the modern factory is right there too.

Our hotel was less than 10 minutes walk from the centre. And we start by arriving just beside the old cookie factory.







And LU is now a place called Lieu Unique

[bjd]

Crossing a bridge over a road, we immediately see the castle that used to belong to the Dukes of Brittany



There is also a campaign on in the city to inform people about eating healthily, so the green areas of the city have been planted with fruit trees, vegetables, and even strawberry plants in the planters in the castle courtyard.

[bjd]

[bjd]

Outside the castle walls, we follow the pink line around the old centre.









It's not all quaint. One of the art installations:

[bjd]

Anyway, we continue our walk. Nantes has a city bike program, as well as streetcars.







A sidewalk mosaic of what was likely the city's coat of arms but that is now rather wrecked.

[bjd]

And a close-up of the greenery in the middle of the square, Place Graslin

[bjd]

A movie theatre showing art films


A mall that has stairs on the inside, but you can also climb up a small road and come in at various levels



The pink line more or less ends at the natural history museum

[bjd]

Another art installation




Cours Gambetta (I think), one of the wider streets. This was the morning, so not very busy. The evening before there were lots of people outside because it was very warm.



And these great garbage disposal things

[bixaorellana]

This is wonderful, Bjd! I really appreciate it when people make threads about their quicky visits. Your enthusiasm and appreciation of the city show through in your photos. And wow -- if you can see all that in a morning's walk, Nantes is definitely a city worth visiting. Thoroughly enjoyed this & hope you get a chance to go back soon. Thanks!

[htmb]

BJD, I've always wanted to visit Nantes. Thank you so much for posting these delightful photos.

[bjd]

Thanks, Bixa. I think indeed Nantes is worth a longer visit. Unfortunately we didn't have time to see what I really wanted and that is the exhibition of machines being built on the island on the Loire River that separates Nantes. The area used to be quite industrial, with shipbuilding in St Nazaire, just downriver. Now, the empty factories have been taken over for cultural things and apparently the machines are wonderful.

Have a look at the slide show on here:
www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/

[bjd]

Thanks, htmb. You posted while I was looking for the link.

[htmb]

Yikes! I've never seen anything like that! The elephant looks almost real. It was interesting to watch the dynamics happening around its feet. Too bad you were unable to visit.

[Deleted]

Excellent report, bjd. It looks like you ran around Nantes with your camera at about the same speed I went through Grenoble.

Nantes being the home of Royal de Luxe, it has become a mecca for all sorts of mechanical surprises and a lot of people flock there just for that.

I've been through Nantes a couple of times but never long enough to really see anything -- now I know that I have to really stop there at some time in the future.

[bjd]

Actually, we didn't walk all that fast. As you know, all those old city centres are fairly small.

Yes, I didn't mention Royal de Luxe. I have seen them before and they are coming here again in September for our street theatre festival.

[Deleted]

They are in Paris right now. They gave 3 free performances over the weekend, followed by 3 paying ones. I saw them the last time they were in Paris and it was sensational, but this time their location was just too inconvenient for me.

[mossie]

Very well done BJD. That elephant will give me nightmares ;D ;D

[fumobici]

Makes me really, really want to visit Nantes. I know it isn't spectacular but it just looks like a place I could happily spend time.

[Deleted]

Oh, I loved this BJD, thank you!! How far is it from Toulouse?
Ihave to agree with Bixa about posting these lovely little jaunts that really convey the feel for a place without overwhelming. Just a really nice glimpse at a seemingly lovely place.

Thanks for this.

Great post!

(I know those cookies well!!)

[bjd]

Casi, it's between 600-700 km, depending on the road you take. We had the choice of train -- 8 hours because of changes and 96€ or flying with Easyjet -- 50 minutes and 46€. So we flew -- it was on the way to elsewhere, not a weekend trip.

[imec]

Thanks for this bjd, looks like a very nice place indeed. Love the covered shopping arcade!

[lugg]

Nantes looks lovely bjd and your photos are fab. I have often driven through or around , next time I will stop.

[bjd]

Thanks, all.

Lugg, street parking is free in July!

[nycgirl]

Thank you for the tour, Nantes looks like a lovely place. I really like the outdoor art installations.