Just imagine... Visiting

The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the Lieu Unique, The Memorial to the abolition of slavery, Escal’Atlantic, the submarine base: all these mythical places show that Nantes Saint-Nazaire is building a bridge towards modernity. It enhances its historical heritage and also celebrates contemporary architecture (Le Corbusier, Nouvel, Perrault…), creativity keeps revisiting tradition and the metropolis gets closer and closer to the sea…

Nantes Saint-Nazaire stands out today thanks to its artistic charm and creative power. During your visit, you will surely fall for the unique imaginary world created by the Machines de L’Ile. In the former shipyards’ exceptional site, located on the Ile de Nantes, two wacky designers – inspired by Jules Verne’s and Leonard de Vinci’s universe – have created a Great elephant (a 12-meter high pachyderm made of wood and steel) and a fantastic bestiary. There will be a new addition in July 2012 with a Marine Worlds Carousel, a giantic 25-meter high roundabout. Come and discover the artistic follies of this outdoor lab! 

From the “Folie des Plantes” to the renowned “Floralies”, even plants are a little bit eccentric! With its rotating propellers and long spider legs, the greenhouse embedded in Jean-François Delarozière’s Aéroflorale has been exhibited in almost every part of the world.

All year round, Nantes Saint-Nazaire asserts its cultural identity. In the heart of winter, the Folle Journée makes classical music accessible to all. At the height of summer, world music calls in at the Saint-Nazaire submarine base and the city of Nantes is turned upside down by art with "A journey to Nantes". In the autumn, the Scopitone shakes the city with its festival of electronic music and digital arts. In the springtime, the Royal de Luxe theatre company and its little giant are back in the streets of Nantes, always an important event for the local community.

Come to Nantes Saint-Nazaire to taste the sea air and set off! The estuary itinerary makes contemporary art available to all. The works of about thirty internationally renowned artists are exhibited over the 60 kilometres connecting the two cities. A place to visit on foot, by bike or on a cruise boat…

And if you don’t know where to start? Then a greeter will guide you to a wine grower to taste a glass of Muscadet wine, will open the door of an artist’s workshop or help you discover contemporary architecture with the help of a land planner. Just imagine…