![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HPE22SB4AJFJXINMUDKQ7A6A3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ccc70e4ba34f4541f83138c22cf8b67c8f391b8a0b681ec4225b14bb67cff4c&width=400&height=225)
A peaceful moment in Nantes.
A painted green line guides visitors to all the best sights in Nantes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KBAOKDEZK5GRNI5HXNMNGV3TYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=02366c56c8c4f6a047cf2f0c21b672d6445de71a93ee7b525c050a53da975034&width=400&height=225)
The Manny building in Nantes is also a pubic work of art. Photo: Martin Argyroglo
Reimagined storefront signs by local artists in Nantes. Photo: Le Voyage a Nantes
The Art Nouveau restaurant La Cigale in Nantes. Photo: Le gout et les couleurs / LVAN
Place Graslin in Nantes. Photo: Franck Tomps / LVAN
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LC4JJFAWEJAH3KFDPTAJHSEUM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=62995e55e778c04baf219ee6b426b8208453ec0f50ccbbdd1cfae3e32b216bdb&width=400&height=225)
Nantes offers botanical gardens, free public artworks and an entirely walkable centre. Photo: Ville de Nantes
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JQFG6FB2VZATBGBGFGA2S3YYBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cdeb09ef6a8fd6b7d6acd6e93aa62658d3395523c7462adffbb401874b891c61&width=400&height=225)
A mechanical sloth at Les machines de l'Ile.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/63FLXT4BA5D3NGED2G4ETHLGCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=98aaa5e7f71af6e952fd6321337e8a51c4d6e43bcd349267b803290f241f8304&width=400&height=225)
Public art installations are everywhere in Nantes. Photo: Nathalie Talec - Le Voyage a Nantes 2020
Nantes doesn't shy away from its past, but shines a light on its slave-trading history as a warning for the future. Photo Franck Tomps / LVAN
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IRFYPZHPQ5DOZOD3OZVL6OK7KU.jpg?smart=true&auth=c44b317c9829f9db4a5fd3043ab2f6bfe14fe50d28c2255da530fc7a21f622b0&width=400&height=225)
An artist designed storefront sign in Nantes. Photo: Hayley Skirka
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5NI56MBZE5CUPFBNWR2JOD4UPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=027d936e7d4a13c85dffcc29c4963dddffdbc597d416b23274dfbbd2876e463e&width=400&height=225)
Fountains and spires are commonplace in Nantes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AAOFCIV4OJFSZF2H22NKCCZEKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=787328a5b1d5550b59dcf0d293bed429c7272124efd27600553d2d07b99bb476&width=400&height=225)
The Heron Tree will be part of The Extraordinary Garden.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PALDBTMMPVDLBJOTIB6VTPFE5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=c4c6545ba63a7b94f491989dc26d7ae100bb17a83387536160c3a299992801ac&width=400&height=225)
Turrets and moats surround the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YCNUUK4QYFEKTISDNL6XBUFOUY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bc1f4d6a2a3b482fa07f7872294fde6d639dc136dc7347d484a24279aa85438&width=400&height=225)
A mechanical spider that can carry six passengers at Les machines de l'Ile.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OYFYXPBN6NCMTD4ISIHA6BWVNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=364c22d7425a4b92caaed4ec4d7eae2f0c0832bcc60ee1c621db4113d3644fb6&width=400&height=225)
Look up as you walk the Green Line to see more interesting details around Nantes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OOWQROLVR5FTROB723YGAIJ57I.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4b671d3e84686aaa1a2e078020dadf3fafb7f9128234dd9927e959cdc65ffbf&width=400&height=225)
Wander narrow side streets where ancient carvings above doorways depict former home owners and the city's residents.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HPE22SB4AJFJXINMUDKQ7A6A3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ccc70e4ba34f4541f83138c22cf8b67c8f391b8a0b681ec4225b14bb67cff4c&width=400&height=225)
A peaceful moment in Nantes.
A painted green line guides visitors to all the best sights in Nantes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KBAOKDEZK5GRNI5HXNMNGV3TYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=02366c56c8c4f6a047cf2f0c21b672d6445de71a93ee7b525c050a53da975034&width=400&height=225)
The Manny building in Nantes is also a pubic work of art. Photo: Martin Argyroglo
Reimagined storefront signs by local artists in Nantes. Photo: Le Voyage a Nantes
The Art Nouveau restaurant La Cigale in Nantes. Photo: Le gout et les couleurs / LVAN
Place Graslin in Nantes. Photo: Franck Tomps / LVAN
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LC4JJFAWEJAH3KFDPTAJHSEUM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=62995e55e778c04baf219ee6b426b8208453ec0f50ccbbdd1cfae3e32b216bdb&width=400&height=225)
Nantes offers botanical gardens, free public artworks and an entirely walkable centre. Photo: Ville de Nantes
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JQFG6FB2VZATBGBGFGA2S3YYBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cdeb09ef6a8fd6b7d6acd6e93aa62658d3395523c7462adffbb401874b891c61&width=400&height=225)
A mechanical sloth at Les machines de l'Ile.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/63FLXT4BA5D3NGED2G4ETHLGCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=98aaa5e7f71af6e952fd6321337e8a51c4d6e43bcd349267b803290f241f8304&width=400&height=225)
Public art installations are everywhere in Nantes. Photo: Nathalie Talec - Le Voyage a Nantes 2020
Nantes doesn't shy away from its past, but shines a light on its slave-trading history as a warning for the future. Photo Franck Tomps / LVAN
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IRFYPZHPQ5DOZOD3OZVL6OK7KU.jpg?smart=true&auth=c44b317c9829f9db4a5fd3043ab2f6bfe14fe50d28c2255da530fc7a21f622b0&width=400&height=225)
An artist designed storefront sign in Nantes. Photo: Hayley Skirka
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5NI56MBZE5CUPFBNWR2JOD4UPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=027d936e7d4a13c85dffcc29c4963dddffdbc597d416b23274dfbbd2876e463e&width=400&height=225)
Fountains and spires are commonplace in Nantes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AAOFCIV4OJFSZF2H22NKCCZEKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=787328a5b1d5550b59dcf0d293bed429c7272124efd27600553d2d07b99bb476&width=400&height=225)
The Heron Tree will be part of The Extraordinary Garden.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PALDBTMMPVDLBJOTIB6VTPFE5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=c4c6545ba63a7b94f491989dc26d7ae100bb17a83387536160c3a299992801ac&width=400&height=225)
Turrets and moats surround the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YCNUUK4QYFEKTISDNL6XBUFOUY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bc1f4d6a2a3b482fa07f7872294fde6d639dc136dc7347d484a24279aa85438&width=400&height=225)
A mechanical spider that can carry six passengers at Les machines de l'Ile.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OYFYXPBN6NCMTD4ISIHA6BWVNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=364c22d7425a4b92caaed4ec4d7eae2f0c0832bcc60ee1c621db4113d3644fb6&width=400&height=225)
Look up as you walk the Green Line to see more interesting details around Nantes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OOWQROLVR5FTROB723YGAIJ57I.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4b671d3e84686aaa1a2e078020dadf3fafb7f9128234dd9927e959cdc65ffbf&width=400&height=225)
Wander narrow side streets where ancient carvings above doorways depict former home owners and the city's residents.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HPE22SB4AJFJXINMUDKQ7A6A3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ccc70e4ba34f4541f83138c22cf8b67c8f391b8a0b681ec4225b14bb67cff4c&width=400&height=225)
A peaceful moment in Nantes.
On the right lines in Nantes: giant sculptures, fantastical gardens and ancient castles
A two-hour train ride from Paris, the capital of Pays de la Loire throngs with chocolatiers, culture and creativity, all reachable via a 12-kilometre walking trail painted on the pavement
![Hayley Skirka](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5aa171d9-e19e-4724-894f-afdab957726f.png?smart=true&auth=0060497e4d6de279036bf67ee0e69c23726110ddc9067f6419a245b2b05cf91d&width=70&height=70)
Hayley Skirka
29 September, 2022
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