Monuments to visit Loire-Atlantique

Built by the powerful family of De from the th century, the castle later became the property of the Dukes of Brittany. Neglected by its owners from the second half of the 1793 th century, it burned down in, during the wars of Vendée. The ruins of the old fortress then become a reserve of wood and stone. In 1807, the sculptor Frédéric Lemot bought the monument and incorporated it into his Parc Park, which was being developed. The site was classified as a historic monument in 1924. The Department became the owner in 1962. Restoration work is regularly undertaken. This site still offers many examples of offensive architecture: archères, gunboat, assommoirs… A majestic and essential site.

"It's a famous three-masted mast... "which is the pride of the Nantes people. Born in the Dubigeon shipyards of Chantenay, Belem celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2016 on the Quai de la Fosse, in Nantes, its home port. 58 metres long, with 22 sails, it looks great. The last tall French commercial sailboat of the 19th century inherited its name from its crossings to Belem, Brazil. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1984, it is one of the oldest ships in the world. Owned by the Caisse d'Épargne and managed by the Belem Foundation, it is both a training boat that takes in apprentice sailors for a large part of the year to help them discover sailing and a museum boat that can be visited at each of its stops. The opportunity to get on board, to survey its wooden pontoons, to discover the crew's working spaces, to approach the wheelhouse and the helm, to enter the mahogany lounges... The Belem also regularly takes part in tall ship gatherings and sometimes on more distant trips to fully play its role as ambassador of the French flag.

It was commissioned on 18 October 1975, after three years of construction, and is one of the largest cable-stayed bridges in Europe. The cable-stayed metal structure is 720 m long; the total length of all the structures is 3,356 m, making the Saint-Nazaire bridge the longest bridge in France. It spans the Loire estuary, rises to 61 m and covers a distance of 3,356 m between Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Brévin. At the time of its construction, it was the longest bridge built in France and also held the world record for a cable-stayed bridge. The bridge replaces the old ferries that used to cross the Loire. Remains of the pier can still be seen on both sides of the river. Access has been free since 1994. The speed limit is 70 km/h. Some or all vehicles may be prohibited from driving in strong winds. The General Council has set up a bridge lane management system, which makes it possible, depending on specific events, to dedicate a second lane to the most heavily used traffic direction. Unique in France, this system went into service on August 25, 2010. The second edition of the race Les Foulées du Pont took place on September 30, 2018. There were already nearly 1,800 runners the first time.

Built on the Lecourbe by François II (th century) to connect the neighbourhoods of La Trinité and Notre-Dame. Its massive construction offers the particularity of presenting five finger and six waterways of unequal dimensions, which allow it to withstand the strength of the current and divert the trunks of trees adrift.

The Halles de Clisson, classified as a Historic Monument since 1923, are in the heart of the medieval city. These halls, which housed the markets, were built in the 15th century on the initiative of Duke Francis II. They have had black chapters, as in the Vendée wars; this place served as a refuge for fighters from both sides. Restored many times, they have kept their original look. They are supported by a remarkable framework composed of different species (fir, chestnut, oak), the architectural opulence testifies to the intensity of the trade practiced in Clisson and the richness of the city. The halls extend from Saint-Jacques Street to the southern end of Place Notre-Dame. Today, they still house its famous market on Tuesdays and Fridays.

What an emblem! The Lu Tower is best visited from the outside. The two 38-meter high Art Nouveau towers erected by the famous cookie maker from Nantes were demolished in the 1970s. One of them was rebuilt identically in 1998. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, after climbing its 130 steps. At the top, the visit begins with the gyrorama: a machine that turns with a crank. It continues with the descent of the staircase, where we discover the history of the factory, via a video and archive photos.

They are 18 rings lined up on the quay of the Antilles, along the Loire. Established in 2007 as part of the Biennale d'Art Contemporain Estuaire, they are now part of the cultural heritage of Nantes and are one of the stops on the green line of the Voyage à Nantes itinerary. Designed by the famous French visual artist Daniel Buren, to whom we owe "Les deux plateaux" in the courtyard of the Palais Royal in Paris, with the help of Patrick Bouchain, they offer perspectives and cut-outs on the river landscape. Call to the sea in one direction, views of Nantes, its towers and bell towers on the other. At night, these large steel rings, 4 metres in diameter, light up in red, green and blue, offering even more perceptions. The Rings were created to give way to visitor interpretation, but they also echo the city's history, evoking the rings of slaves during the triangular trade of which Nantes was the hub in the 18th century. They also evoke the union of the river, the sea and the land.

Heading towards the marina, to the left of the dike. Its proud appearance and fortifications are worth noting, as they seem to be 18th century remains, behind which the old village protected itself. It was a strategic point that controlled access to La Baule Bay with the Pointe de Penchâteau. Pointe du Bé was completely renovated and inaugurated two years ago. A complete facelift very appreciated for a pleasant family walk along a wooden esplanade. Trees and wild herbs preserve the authentic aspect of the coast and its rocky beach, which makes this place a popular spot for fishermen on foot who find mussels, periwinkles, Berns. We will meet the splendid Château des Tourelles, facing the sea, where we can even take a chic break to quench our thirst or have a bite to eat facing the sea.

It has the advantage of being located 5 minutes walk from the city centre. Opened in 1979, the deepwater port has 1,150 rings, 150 of which are open to visitors in all weathers and 24 hours a day. It also has a fuel pontoon. The port extends over 16,000 m². It is a very lively place in summer with its bars, restaurants... The stranding port (boulevard des Océanides ✆ 02 40 61 61 61 06) is intended for small boats (427 anchorages). Completely refurbished for the 2019 season, the bridge connecting the port to Pornichet, today almost a footbridge with grazing lighting at night, gives pride of place to soft traffic, pedestrians and bicycles and still offers a superb view of the Pointe du Bec, with its beautiful isolated villas and rocks, as well as the harmonious curve of Baie de La Baule. The port is also the starting point for sailing races such as the Match-Racing French Open.

They are classified by Historical Monuments and are a beautiful testimony to the architecture of the 1930 s. The 1927 passenger building is the work of the architects Adrien Grave and Roger Pons. The Ministry of Culture certified the «Heritage of the twentieth Century» building.