France > Pays de la Loire > Nantes
Nantes
N 47°12.355', W 1°34.067'
2016-08-18
http://www.nantes-tourisme.com/en
Our rating: 8.20
Overall rating: - Rate this place - 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Nantes is a cool city. I'm sure that most of you did not even hear about it as a tourist city. And that's fine, as there are almost no tourists here. Although city officials do a lot of the right things to attract them. When we went to Nantes, we had no idea what to do there, despite the fact that the city is rather big by European standards.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
But even our hotel was an attraction. Actually, it is apartment Surprenantes - Jules Verne (booking.com ). The company owns a few apartments and we chose those which is decorated in the style of the novel "From the Earth to the Moon". Apartment is automatic, mini-safes with the keys are located near the entrance (google.maps ). The location is perfect, one minute walk to a large supermarket and five minute to the island.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Design in the style of Jules Verne is not surprising, as Nantes is his hometown. House museum Musee Jules Verne de Nantes is located one kilometer further along the promenade. There is a tourist line in Nantes, use it to visit all the sights.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
The most interesting place in the city is the island of Nantes. Former port nowadays is being transformed into a residential area. The former warehouses are now cafes, exhibition halls and public places.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Collective work-out
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Collective grill
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
City officials are trying to give the green light to an unusual residential and office buildings.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Across the city various art objects can be found. Follow this link and check the map of all objects.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Strange art object
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
The huge glowing earth
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Curved football field, which must be viewed in a curved mirror.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Even pedestrian crossing is decorated in an unusual style
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Former crane was painted in yellow and now it is an industrial art object.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Public henhouse in the middle of the street
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
One of the symbols of Nantes - Les Anneaux rings, established in 2007. It's the popular place where citizens spend their time in a numerous restaurants and public areas.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
But the most unusual that the city can offer and why you should come here is a project "Machines of the Isle of Nantes" (http://www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/english ). Imagine that you go through the city and see a giant mechanical elephant. In Nantes it is a reality, 12 meters elephant really walks on the island every day, roars and pour happy tourists with a water. Find here it's schedule.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
The project is fully funded by the city government. This is the clearest example of how you can create a place of interest from scratch. Despite the fact that the project was unprofitable and may be even unprofitable now, the city still investing money. In 2011 a unique carousel "Sea Worlds", consisting of three floors, was built for 10 million euros. By purchasing a ticket, you can choose any two devices and ride them.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
In addition, there is a pavilion "Machines gallery" where live mechanical animals. All of them were built according to the drawings of Jules Verne and Leonardo Da Vinci.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
The latest project at the moment (2016) is a "Tree of herons". This is an artificial tree on which you can walk.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Sleeping giant
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
There is also a fire-breathing dragon Long Ma, which was built for China in honor of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
VIDEO
And a giant spider La Princesse built for Liverpool.
VIDEO
In addition to the island, the city has a castle of the Dukes of Brittany (XIV-XVIII, Château des ducs de Bretagne) and the center, where you can walk.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
A huge mirror area with a steam near the castle.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Graslin square
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Huge potted plants. In 2013 Nantes was named the "Green Capital of Europe" (source ). Vegetation only one of the reasons. In 1985 Nantes became the first French city with a modern tram.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
There are few half-timbered houses
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
The fountain on the Royal square
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes Cathedral is one of the biggest in the country
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Sainte-Croix church (1685 - 1860), former prison.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Passage Pommeraye (1841-43).
Passage Pommeraye ©Yuriy Buriak
Tour Bretagne skyscraper offer views of the city from an observation deck, but we did not visit.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Be sure to visit the botanical garden (free admission). In addition to the wide range of art objects, listen here to the hidden audio speakers that emit different unusual sounds.
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Dawn in Nantes
Nantes ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: Nantes has an airport. The easiest way to get to the center is by bus. Nantes is also an important railway junction.
Tags, France: city , unusual structures Tags, all countries: city , unusual structures
- Rate this place -
Location : ------------ 1 - Far beyond the settlements, you must spend minimum a day 2 - Near the small town, you need to walk long distance 3 - Can be reached only by car 4 - A small town with a poor public transport 5 - Outside the settlements, but with excellent transport links 6 - A small town with excellent transport links 7 - Medium-size city 8 - Suburb of the capital or major city, the ability to reach by public transport 9 - Big city 10 - Capital
Impressions : ------------ 1 - No point in visiting 2 - Boring, wasted time 3 - You can visit, if you have a lot of free time and nothing better to do 4 - A lot of things, but not so interesting 5 - It seems to be interesting, but hard way to spoil the impression 6 - There is something interesting, but the rest is not worth the attention 7 - Probably interesting, but for everybody 8 - Very cool, but difficult to see everything and long-distance trails 9 - Very cool, but there are similar facilities in other locations 10 - Very cool, this is not anywhere else
Number of tourists (weekend afternoon) : ------------ 1 - Crowds, impossible to see everything normally 2 - A lot of tourists, a long wait 3 - A lot of tourists, the organization is lame 4 - A lot of tourists, but good organization 5 - There are many tourists, but they are concentrated in one place and you can walk freely 6 - Many tourists everywhere, but the large space is compensated 7 - The average number of tourists. To photograph, you must wait 8 - Tourists are, but they do not interfere 9 - There are few tourists 10 - You are alone
State : ------------ 1 - Only title left 2 - Dull ruins 3 - On restoration 4 - The picturesque ruins 5 - Have not been restored, the state is poor 6 - Partially destroyed, but the rest of the normal state 7 - Have not been restored, good condition 8 - OK, but it is possible to make better 9 - Looks good from the outside, partial repair inside or without repair 10 - In excellent condition, well-groomed area
Picturesque (for the photographer) : ------------ 1 - - 2 - - 3 - Horrible background, normal pictures only from the top 4 - wires and cars do not allow make normal photo 5 - Interfere with foreign objects 6 - In the city, but more or less normal photo can be made 7 - Beautiful, but you can take pictures with just one point 8 - Very nice, but you can only shoot at a certain time 9 - Very nice, but hard to get to the good weather or permanently interfere with tourists 10 - Very nice, but occasionally interferes with the weather or tourists
* - Note: Description of the evaluation is not always appropriate for a particular object, it's just a little help
Our rating - 8.20
Location : ------------ 1 - Far beyond the settlements, you must spend minimum a day 2 - Near the small town, you need to walk long distance 3 - Can be reached only by car 4 - A small town with a poor public transport 5 - Outside the settlements, but with excellent transport links 6 - A small town with excellent transport links 7 - Medium-size city 8 - Suburb of the capital or major city, the ability to reach by public transport 9 - Big city 10 - Capital
Impressions : ------------ 1 - No point in visiting 2 - Boring, wasted time 3 - You can visit, if you have a lot of free time and nothing better to do 4 - A lot of things, but not so interesting 5 - It seems to be interesting, but hard way to spoil the impression 6 - There is something interesting, but the rest is not worth the attention 7 - Probably interesting, but for everybody 8 - Very cool, but difficult to see everything and long-distance trails 9 - Very cool, but there are similar facilities in other locations 10 - Very cool, this is not anywhere else
Number of tourists (weekend afternoon) : ------------ 1 - Crowds, impossible to see everything normally 2 - A lot of tourists, a long wait 3 - A lot of tourists, the organization is lame 4 - A lot of tourists, but good organization 5 - There are many tourists, but they are concentrated in one place and you can walk freely 6 - Many tourists everywhere, but the large space is compensated 7 - The average number of tourists. To photograph, you must wait 8 - Tourists are, but they do not interfere 9 - There are few tourists 10 - You are alone
State : ------------ 1 - Only title left 2 - Dull ruins 3 - On restoration 4 - The picturesque ruins 5 - Have not been restored, the state is poor 6 - Partially destroyed, but the rest of the normal state 7 - Have not been restored, good condition 8 - OK, but it is possible to make better 9 - Looks good from the outside, partial repair inside or without repair 10 - In excellent condition, well-groomed area
Picturesque (for the photographer) : ------------ 1 - - 2 - - 3 - Horrible background, normal pictures only from the top 4 - wires and cars do not allow make normal photo 5 - Interfere with foreign objects 6 - In the city, but more or less normal photo can be made 7 - Beautiful, but you can take pictures with just one point 8 - Very nice, but you can only shoot at a certain time 9 - Very nice, but hard to get to the good weather or permanently interfere with tourists 10 - Very nice, but occasionally interferes with the weather or tourists
* - Note: Description of the evaluation is not always appropriate for a particular object, it's just a little help
Visitor's rating - 0.00
Location : ------------ 1 - Far beyond the settlements, you must spend minimum a day 2 - Near the small town, you need to walk long distance 3 - Can be reached only by car 4 - A small town with a poor public transport 5 - Outside the settlements, but with excellent transport links 6 - A small town with excellent transport links 7 - Medium-size city 8 - Suburb of the capital or major city, the ability to reach by public transport 9 - Big city 10 - Capital
Impressions : ------------ 1 - No point in visiting 2 - Boring, wasted time 3 - You can visit, if you have a lot of free time and nothing better to do 4 - A lot of things, but not so interesting 5 - It seems to be interesting, but hard way to spoil the impression 6 - There is something interesting, but the rest is not worth the attention 7 - Probably interesting, but for everybody 8 - Very cool, but difficult to see everything and long-distance trails 9 - Very cool, but there are similar facilities in other locations 10 - Very cool, this is not anywhere else
Number of tourists (weekend afternoon) : ------------ 1 - Crowds, impossible to see everything normally 2 - A lot of tourists, a long wait 3 - A lot of tourists, the organization is lame 4 - A lot of tourists, but good organization 5 - There are many tourists, but they are concentrated in one place and you can walk freely 6 - Many tourists everywhere, but the large space is compensated 7 - The average number of tourists. To photograph, you must wait 8 - Tourists are, but they do not interfere 9 - There are few tourists 10 - You are alone
State : ------------ 1 - Only title left 2 - Dull ruins 3 - On restoration 4 - The picturesque ruins 5 - Have not been restored, the state is poor 6 - Partially destroyed, but the rest of the normal state 7 - Have not been restored, good condition 8 - OK, but it is possible to make better 9 - Looks good from the outside, partial repair inside or without repair 10 - In excellent condition, well-groomed area
Picturesque (for the photographer) : ------------ 1 - - 2 - - 3 - Horrible background, normal pictures only from the top 4 - wires and cars do not allow make normal photo 5 - Interfere with foreign objects 6 - In the city, but more or less normal photo can be made 7 - Beautiful, but you can take pictures with just one point 8 - Very nice, but you can only shoot at a certain time 9 - Very nice, but hard to get to the good weather or permanently interfere with tourists 10 - Very nice, but occasionally interferes with the weather or tourists
* - Note: Description of the evaluation is not always appropriate for a particular object, it's just a little help