Driving west coast of France - Part 1

Nantes　Part１

Nantes is a French city located in embouchure of Loire river, having around 300,000 population. It is also capital city of Loire-Atlantique Prefecture. In ancient days, when the duchy of Brittany was annexed by the kingdom of France in 1532, Nantes kept the parliament of Brittany for a few years, before it was moved to Rennes. In 1598, King Henry IV of France signed the Edict of Nantes here, which granted Protestants rights to their religion.


However, on the contrary, on the way from Nantes airport to city centre, there is very modern bridge built across the Loire river. A lot of modern chemical plant and small steamship for merchandise transportation can be seen from that point. Under the rainy clouds, every architecture gives you a monochrome and dull feeling.




Actually, there are lot of modern buildings are in the city and few buildings reminds you that once this city was capital of medieval era. Nantes castle was not big castle. You can enter without paying the fee. On the other hands, few things were exhibited for visitors.





As the typical characteristics of the castle located in embouchure of river, the defense is replied on water. Therefore castle does not have high altitude buildings. Actually their altitude is not so difference than that of resident buildings surrounded there.
So you cannot expect marvelous view from the castle.