NANTES

CATEDRAL SAINT - PIERRE & SAINT PAUL

The fitlrst stone were laid in 1434,and with it one of the longest religious constructions in France was underway, building that wouldn't becompleted until 1891. Repair and restoration work was first undertaken after the 1972 fire and only finisglhed once the cathedral had been returned to its original splendor. Behind the white - stone of a double tower front, the nave rises to a full 37,5 m-higher then Notre-Dame in Paris.

,THE CHATEAU DES DUCS DE BRETAGNE AND THE NANTES HISTORY MUSEUM

Fall under the spell of five centurys of medieval history. The last castile before the river reaches the sea, this Breton monument with its outstanding buildings takes you from the 15th to 18th centurys. Building started under Francois II, the last duke of Brittany, and then completed by his daughter, Anne of Brittany, twice queen of France. The castle houses a royal palace of elegant renaissance facades and "loggia"  - ornate outward facing galleries.

THE."THE SLAVE TRADE QUARTER

A magnificent example of the city's architecture evoking the extravagant way of life led by the 18th century maritime traders. The port of Nantes was the biggest in France and one of the most important in Europe. Starting in 1926 l, it took nearly 20 years to fill - in the parts of the river Loire that flowed round the isle. These colossal hones of rich ship builders - built on sandy soil - today lean drastically and create an amazing optical illusion. Made mostly from tufa stone, decorated with stone masks and finished off with wrought iron balconies, they are mostly designed around inner courtyards and vaulted staircases. These rezidences illustrate the dimension of Nantes commercial past in all its pomp. The opulent life-style in 18th century Nantes wad guaranteed by 2main sources:Africa and America. Ships built and fitted in Nantes ran the triangular trade between France's number one port at the time.

MEMORIAL TO THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY

An impressive 400 metre long walkwayb from the Victor Schoelcher passage to the Anne de Bretagne bridge. This memorial pays homage to all those who have foght and are still fighting against slavery in all its forms throughout the world. All along the esplanade are 2000 commemorative plaques nothing ships leaving Nantes on slave trade expeditions and the main African and African trading posts, revealing the enormity of the ebhorrent slave - trafficking. Under the quayside, a 90 metre - long underground passagee evokes the captives in the ships' holds, inciting us to think about figjting for the abolition of slavery and the modern form it takes today. Throughout this thougjt provoking walk reached by a decorative staircase, a series of quotations, in every language, from times past and present and from all over; they depict humanity's long combat against slavery.

ILE DE NANTES QUARTER
Le Machines de L'Ile

A team of mad builders led by Pierre Orefice and Francois Delaroziere have set up their workshop under the warehouse. Their imagination has run wild exploring the tree-tops l, the savanna and the botton of the deep blue sea, while their menagerie of machines roams free...  They used the build ships here, and now they make monumental mechanical animals for the young and old to enjoy.

The Grand Elephant

Ehen this majestic beast emerges from its steel cathedral, it is a moving piece of architecture that sets off for a walk. The passengers on board can see what makes the engine and moving feet tick.

THE GALERIE DES MACHINES

An imposing 8 m heron carries passengers and files over the Galerie. Vegetatio rubs up against mechanical plants and animals from the tree top canopy. The Giant ant Ant has been scurrying across the gallery. The four passengers it carries can control its leg, head and mandibles. Sketches of the machine in use as well as covering the whole creative design process are on display in this Galery-Laboratory. New for 2016: a spider joins the mechanical menagerie!

CARROSEL DES MONDES MARINS

A genuine 360° theatre, nearly 25 m high and 22 m in diameter has been implanted on the banks of the Loire. Its 3-tier concrete lace design under a big top is decorated with pediments and guarded by 16 fishermen from every ocean in the world.