Things to see and do Loire-Atlantique

Created in 1982, the Fonds régional d'Art contemporain des Pays de la Loire (FRAC) pursues the mission of building a regional collection of contemporary art, raising public awareness of modern art and participating in the dissemination of all forms of contemporary creation. The creation of international workshops represents a unique experience in France, specific to the FRAC des Pays-de-la-Loire. The works produced are the subject of a balance-sheet exhibition. Every year, the FRAC hosts monographic or thematic exhibitions and organizes events on the region.

What better than an old rig to discover the hidden charm of the islands of the Loire? Embark on a Nooit Volmaak, a tjalk of 1912 (Dutch sailing boat). This boat is allowed to accommodate twelve people and take you to a fabulous introductory journey. You can observe the fauna and flora on the last wild river in Europe thanks to the wise advice of the captain who knows this river as his pocket. Nice discoveries in the program.

"The settlers" is the title of a permanent work of art created by the American Sarah Sze as part of the 2012 Estuary Biennale of Contemporary Art. It is to be discovered in Port Lavigne, a hamlet nestled on the banks of the Loire, in Bouguenais. This work is revealed by walking (from the car park, allow 15 to 35 minutes of walk). We then immerse ourselves in a vast natural domain of wet meadows (some wooden footbridges can be soaked according to the tides). On the way, we observe three trees "colonized" by giant sculptures: a bear cub climbs with the help of its mother, a jaguar lazes on the branch of the second and a third shelters monkeys.

Plunge into the atmosphere of the activity that has made the richness of the first fishing port of the Loire countries and the eighth French fishing port. By visiting the Museum of Fisheries Museum, you will know all about the evolution of the craft, the boats and the working conditions of the fisherman. From the sardinic trawls from the end of the nineteenth century to the current offshore trawlers armed for anchovy fishing, the turbine fishing world will no longer have any secrets for you leaving this magical place. You will also discover the history of the harbor, the evolution of the turbine fishery, the history of its canneries, the present activity… The present exhibition will make you understand today's fishing activity, the trades, fishing techniques thanks to tools, photos, documents and mock-ups highlight the propellant fishing. It's This visit is aimed at the whole family, a playful journey is offered to children. In addition, guided tours are proposed during the summer: from an old fishing boat, from the port, from the shouting. Contact the tourist office.

It dates back to the th and th centuries and remains one of the last testimonies in France. These funeral monuments often marked a ossuary or common pit. This type of monument was found mainly in Poitou-Charentes but also in Vendée. The hosanne designated a sacred box placed on the crosses. Unfortunately, there is still the granite drum and the visible base on the of the church.

Municipal authorization of June 5, 2002 for Choizeau beach. Between the port to the Goths - access through the customs trail - and Portmain. 200 m naturist zone delimited by panels.

The visit of the Maison de l'Eau et des Paysages allows us to discover a reconstruction of a small scale valley and thus better understand the overall functioning of a territory where many actors interact. A discovery tour, a site of interpretation of the landscape and two teaching rooms complement this layout. Educational and experimentation tools and activities are also available to school and non-school groups with a view to environmental awareness. The visit can continue with the filter gardens (new ecological purification plant). This site constitutes an experiment in the treatment of wastewater by a pathway excluding any chemical process, and has received the support of official bodies. Wastewater, after settling, is treated in several basins by bacteria and plants that eliminate most pollutants.

Official memorial to the memory of General Charette and his fighters in Vendée (1824 by Charles X). The laying of the first stone took place in 1825 by the daughter of Louis XVI represented by Mrs. Charette de la Contrie. The raised the originally hosted a statue of Charette destroyed in 1832 after the uprising attempted by the Duchess of Berry. The chapel was completed in 1840, the clocheton is crowned by the statue of Saint Michel down the dragon. The monument to the dead dates back to 1922. On the side of the chapel, one crosses a cross of the old cemetery and an Austrian cannon in the course of taking the war.

This bourgeois house belonged to the Pineau family, one of which was a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine in Montpellier. This was Charette's headquarters during the wars of Vendée in 1793. Consisting of 2 perpendicular wings, this building was divided into 2 houses. The door to the motto «Deus Spes Nostra» gave access to a stone staircase. The position of the house allowed the leak by the fields. A son Pineau was deputy of Charette (defence of Noirmoutier). Ms Francheteau, granddaughter of Ms Pineau, wrote in 1857: " Charette had arrived a few days after the insurgency. He established his headquarters in his grandmother's house, he played with the children and raised them in his arms to pick cherries… '»»»»

Remarkable Mégalithe visible in forest. According to legend, the devil was responsible for building the «Bridge to the King» at night, at the exit of the ancient village of La. He brought the last stone and he had a good place to celebrate this in the cellars. Through the forest of Oisillière, he heard the rooster singing and announcing the day; he had to ask the stone and disappear… Today, turn around 7 times of mad stone without breathing. Legend says you will have a chance to review the devil. And climb up the rock, you will always find water…

In the village of La at the Remaudière, the signs recall the passage of the old railway route of the "Petit Anjou", a means of transport that marked local history until the last war. This departmental railway crossed the vineyard to reach Nantes in Cholet via Beaupreau from 1893 to 1948. Founded in 1983, the Friends of the Little Anjou Association has restored a lorry, a draisine and a B 111 car from the Railway of Anjou. It presents a travelling exhibition, publishes brochures, postcards and books on the Petit Anjou. 

On the site of Perthuis Churin, you can see the remains of the church of Sainte-Magdeleine, dating back to the th century. The first religious building was built towards the year 777 and was dedicated to Saint Magdeleine, patron of Barbechat. In 1769, the building was too old, a church was erected at the Bois Guillet at the location of the present church. She was blessed in 1771.

There is a Gallic mound nearby. Some writings speak of a plot of land in which the wife of a lieutenant of Jules Caesar would be founded, others of a feudal motte of the th century serving as a monitoring place to control passage into the valley.

This monument consists of blocks of scattered sandstone and slabs in place delimiting quite clearly its different parts. To the west, the main chamber is partially covered by an imposing white quartz block. It was excavated at the end of the th century. This dolmen is listed in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments. You can access the site from the coast trail.

Incredible but true, Joel and Annick Tusseau have completely rebuilt a village in the 1950 s. This couple held a masonry company and had empty premises following their retirement. It was after participating in a village party in 2001 that they started collecting all sorts of objects on the theme of the 1950 s. In the museum, we discover a classroom that really existed, with its stove, its maps of geography and its encriers, but also a dairy, a room, a bistro ("Café de la Barre David"), promotional material of the time, tools of the farm, etc. The couple Tusseau sharing his childhood memories, and so just call to book. So if you want to immerse yourself in the world of the Choristers and the Petit Nicolas, don't hesitate!

From the rue de la Marne to the rue de la Juiverie, a very small passage that this passage Bouchaud. It is between its walls that the Nantes artist Evor expresses himself. Passionate about plants, he does not draw or sculpt them: he plants them. His work was created for the Voyage à Nantes 2018, it has since become permanent and stands as a green bubble in the hyper-center. A real indoor luxuriant jungle, pampered every day, that we come to admire, breathe, contemplate by taking height on the exotic plants from the small staircase provided for this purpose.

La Chapelle-sur-Erdre is a small town in France, and home to the Salaün Holidays travel agency. However, the Salaün Holidays website offers a variety of holiday trips, such as tours, stays, cruises and coach trips. Destinations include Christmas markets in France and Europe, New Year's Eve celebrations in France and Europe, holiday trips to the ends of the earth, carnivals and festive cities. The website also offers a transfer service to take you to the departure airport or to the coach for your trip.

On March 28, 1942 at 1:30 a.m., the British destroyer HMS Campbeltown voluntarily threw itself against the door of the Joubert lock form. He's full of explosives. It was only ten hours later that the ship exploded. In the explosion German soldiers were killed and the lock form was unusable. The code name of the operation is Operation Cart. It fulfilled its goal of avoiding the arrival of the German battleship Tirpitz. Indeed, the Joubert lock form is the only sufficiently large port facility on the entire Atlantic coast that can accommodate it. The Kriegsmarine cannot therefore intensify its attacks against allied convoys. The port of Saint-Nazaire was completely paralysed and massive Allied bombardments weakened German positions. A menhir-shaped monument with a souvenir plaque was inaugurated in 1947 to perpetuate the memory of this heroic act. Every year on March 28th, a commemoration takes place. The menhir has been moved to the Old Mole and the cannon (the second monument) is located on the panoramic terrace of the submarine Swordfish.

Nicknamed the Sammy, he intrigues more than one walker that huge eagle that wears on his back an American soldier brandishing a sword. This monumental statue that adorns the seafront celebrated its 90 years in 2016! It commemorates the arrival of American troops during the First World War in 1917. St. Nazaire sees 250,000 American soldiers landing at that time. It was inaugurated on June 26, 1926 by the Ambassador of the United States in France, Myron T. Herrick. On December 13, 1941, the German occupier destroyed the monument to recover the metal. This monument is reconstructed in 1989 at the same location (Grand Traict Beach), by Pierre Fouenant. A model of this sculpture, carried out by Gertrude Whitney, is located at the Ecomuseum. The scale of the eagle wings symbolizing America is 12 m; the statue represents a weight of 10 tons and is laid on a high base cut in Breton granite.

Welcome to Richou Voyages in Saint-Nazaire. This travel agency offers a wide range of services for organizing your vacations. Whether you're looking for an air trip, a coach tour, a sea or river cruise, Richou Voyages' team of experts is here to advise you and help you make the right choices. You can also benefit from tailor-made trips, à la carte or organized with pick-up near your home. The agency works with renowned partners such as Fram, Kuoni, Look Voyages, Costa Croisières, Visiteurs and MSC Croisières, and offers a variety of destinations in France, Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America and Oceania.

Richou Voyages is a travel agency based in Nantes. The agency offers a wide range of organized and tailor-made trips to suit all budgets and tastes. Whether you're looking for a stay, a tour, a cruise or an exceptional trip, Richou Voyages will meet your expectations. The agency's consultants are travel experts and will be delighted to help you realize your project.

Richou Voyages offers a wide range of services to meet all your travel needs. Whether you're looking for an air holiday, a coach tour, a sea or river cruise, or a tailor-made trip, the agency's team will be able to advise and help you organize your trip.

The Guérande salt marshes are a must-see tourist attraction in the town of Guérande, Loire-Atlantique. Located in the communes of Guérande, Batz-sur-Mer, Le Croisic and La Turballe, the salt marshes offer a unique and picturesque landscape. Visitors can discover the history and workings of these salt marshes on guided tours of the site, accompanied by professionals. The Guérande salt marshes also offer themed tours, such as discovering the wealth of marsh plants. For hiking enthusiasts, classic hikes are also available.

After being used as a set in 2016 for a Hollywood blockbuster(Dunkirk, by Christopher Nolan), the Maillé-Brezé is enjoying peaceful days in the port of Nantes. Its imposing gray silhouette can be seen from afar on the Quai de la Fosse (132.5 m long, 12.7 m wide). It is located a stone's throw from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Classified as a historical monument in 1988, it is the first naval museum afloat in France. Seventh military escort of a series of 18, it was built after the war and commissioned in 1957. After serving in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, she was transformed into an anti-submarine warfare ship. She was then handed over to the Nantes Marine Tradition association which takes care of her maintenance and organizes visits on board. She was towed to Nantes in 1988.

Nestled between Place Royale and Rue du Calvaire, Saint-Nicolas stands massive and carved in a neo-Gothic style. The building was built three times between 1844 and 1869 by the architects Jean-Baptiste Lassus, Henri-Théodore Driollet and Gustave de Bourgerel, the church became a basilica on 28 October 1882 and was classified as a historic monument in 1986, major restoration work was undertaken. The esplanade, completely renovated in 2017, is a pleasant place to pass between terraces and small shops. 86 metres long, 32 metres wide, 24 metres high under the vaults, an arrow piercing the sky at 100 metres, the monument proudly stands out in the landscape. Smart tip: on the Good Shepherd's terrace, the view is unique on one side of the façade and its pretty rosettes.