Nantes is now the administrative centre of the region Pays-de-la-Loire (the Loire Lands), but this beautiful city used to be the capital of the whole Brittany region for hundreds of years, as it was one of the most important port cities in France. It is located approximately 50 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, and its 309 000 habitants make it France’s sixth biggest city. Its rich history blends with its dynamic present, creating a marvellous destination full of castles, museums and vineyards that is perfect for visiting not only when you are traveling on a budget.

Religious Freedom & The National Bathtub

In 1598, Henry IV signed the famous Edict of Nantes here that assured religious and civil liberties to the protestants which effectively ended the French Wars on Religion. During the French revolution, the famous Drownings at Nantes took place between 1793-94, and anyone who was suspected of not supporting the revolution was drowned in the river Loire. It is estimated that in this period, around 4000 people died this way. The Revolutionary Jean-Baptiste Carrier called Loire ‘the national bathtub’ after ordering these executions.

A dynamic centre with an emphasis on education

Nantes is also a major business centre with a large higher education sector. That is mainly because of its original university, Université de Nantes, which was founded in 1460 but had to be re-established in 1961 because it was abolished during the French Revolution. To foster the recent growth in biotechnology, a large scientific park was created in 1987.