Guided tour of Nantes Discover the historic centre

Place Graslin is one of the great symbols of 18th century Nantes. During the tour, you will discover its elegant neoclassical architecture, the famous Graslin Theatre, the bourgeois buildings built during the maritime trade era, as well as the history of the neighborhood imagined by the architect and entrepreneur Jean-Joseph-Louis Graslin. The square also evokes the golden age of Nantes, its cafés, its cultural life and the transformations of the city over the centuries.

The Pommeraye Passage is one of the most beautiful covered passages in Europe and a 19th century masterpiece. During the visit, you will discover its spectacular architecture mixing monumental stairs, glass roof, sculptures and shopping galleries, as well as the history of its construction by Louis Pommeraye. The passage also illustrates the development of Nantes trade and the elegance of the bourgeoisie of the time, in an atmosphere that has remained almost intact for nearly two centuries.

The castle of the Dukes of Brittany is the main historical monument of Nantes and the former residence of the Dukes of Brittany. During the visit, we discover its ramparts, its inner courtyard mixing medieval architecture and Renaissance, as well as the story of Anne of Brittany, a major figure in Breton history. The castle also evokes the evolution of Nantes, from the wars of the duchy to the great seaport of the following centuries.

The Île Feydeau is a former islet of the Loire that has become an emblematic district in the centre of Nantes. During the visit, you will discover its elegant mansions of the 18th century, recognizable by their ornate facades and sometimes leaning because of the ancient marshy soils. The district evokes the golden age of the port of Nantes, the maritime trade and the wealth of shipowners who built their homes there.

Le Lieu Unique is a cultural centre located in the former LU biscuit factory, Nantes’ industrial emblem. During the visit, you will discover the history of the famous biscuit factory in Nantes, the architecture of the renovated building and its iconic tower decorated in the Belle Époque style. The site also illustrates the transformation of Nantes from an industrial city to a metropolis focused on culture and contemporary creation.