The
town of Nantes which today is the largest town in western France is
the administrative capital for the region known as Loire Atlantique.
Nantes has a population of about half a million people and is
important for numerous reasons; its busy port, its industry its
university and its art Several times throughout its history Nantes
has been the capital of Brittany competing directly with Rennes. Even
today there is much discussion about the status of Nantes with the
Breton people claiming that Nantes is part of Brittany.
Nantes is situated at the confluence of three rivers, the
Loire, the Erdre and the Sévre. The town itself is divided
with the castle and Cathedral to the east and the 18th century town
to the west.
The choice of thing to do in Nantes is overwhelming. You may
consider starting with one of the three main buildings: The Castle of
the Dukes of Brittany which dates from the 15th century, The Fortress
which houses the Governors Palace or the magnificent Cathedral of St
Peter and St Paul. There are also museums covering a wide range of
subjects including the Jules Verne Museum and an electric tramway
that runs throughout the town and surrounding suburbs. The local
tourist office proposes a range of themed tours throughout the year.