Nantes history

The history of Nantes is rooted in deep antiquity, long before the Common Era. The city, which grew on the banks of the Loire, has come a long way from a Gallic settlement to one of the key capitals of a powerful duchy.

Foundation and First Mentions

More than two thousand years ago, the Gallic tribe of the Namnetes settled on these lands, from whom the modern name of the city is derived. In 56 BC, the region was conquered by the Romans under the leadership of Julius Caesar. Initially, the settlement bore the Gallic name Condevicnum, but by the 3rd century AD, the Romans began calling it Portus Namnetum (Port of the Namnetes), highlighting its importance as a harbour. Around this time, Christianity began to spread in the city, and a diocese was established.

Key Factors of Development

• Geography: Its location at the estuary of the Loire River, just 50 km from the Atlantic Ocean, has made Nantes a strategically important port and trade crossroads since ancient times. The city became a link between the regions of Brittany and Poitou.
• Political Power: After the fall of the Roman Empire, Nantes became part of the Frankish Kingdom and served as an important outpost. In the Middle Ages, the city became the capital of the powerful Duchy of Brittany, and in the 15th century, the famous Castle of the Dukes of Brittany was erected here, becoming their main residence. The final union with France took place in 1532.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From its early years, the economy of Nantes was inextricably linked to river and maritime trade. By the 14th century, the city already possessed its own merchant fleet. The status of the ducal capital contributed to a cultural and architectural flourishing: in 1434, construction began on the majestic Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, one of the largest Gothic temples in France. Nantes quickly turned into not only a political but also a thriving economic centre of the region.

Timeline of Key Events

• 3rd century AD: The Roman settlement of Condevicnum is renamed Portus Namnetum (Port of the Namnetes), emphasizing its growing importance as a port city.
• 843: The city is captured and looted by Vikings, marking the beginning of a period of instability and Norman raids that defined its subsequent history.
• 1466: Duke Francis II of Brittany begins the construction of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, which becomes the main residence and symbol of the power of independent Brittany.
• 1532: The Duchy of Brittany is definitively united with the Kingdom of France, and Nantes, while retaining its economic influence, loses its status as a capital.
• 1598: King Henry IV signs the famous Edict of Nantes in the city, granting freedom of worship to Huguenots (Protestants) and ending the Wars of Religion in France.
• 17th–18th centuries: Nantes becomes the largest centre of the slave trade in France, which brings immense wealth to the city but leaves a dark stain on its history.
• 1793–1794: At the height of the French Revolution, the city becomes the scene of mass executions known as the "Drownings at Nantes", organised against alleged enemies of the revolution.
• 1846: Jean-Romain Lefèvre and Pauline-Isabelle Utile found the LU (Lefèvre-Utile) confectionery factory, which eventually becomes one of the most famous biscuit brands in France.
• 1943: During World War II, the city is subjected to devastating bombing raids by the Allies, targeting German industrial and military facilities.
• 1987: The last major shipyards close, marking the end of a centuries-old era of shipbuilding and the beginning of the city's economic reorientation towards services and technology.
• 2007: On the site of the former shipyards, the unique art project "Les Machines de l'île" (Machines of the Isle) opens, becoming a new symbol of Nantes' creative and industrial heritage.

Key Stages of Nantes' Development

The history of Nantes is a history of transformations. The city has journeyed from being a ducal capital and France's largest port to a modern technological and cultural hub, finding new paths for growth and prosperity at every turn.

• The "Golden Age" and Trade Centre (17th–18th centuries): During this period, Nantes became the most prosperous port in France. The wealth accumulated through transatlantic trade radically changed the city's appearance. These funds were used to build luxurious mansions on Île Feydeau and in the Graslin district, which define its elegant architecture to this day.
• Industrial Diversification (19th century): With the decline of colonial trade, Nantes did not fall into desolation but reoriented its economy. The food industry (the famous LU biscuit factory was founded here), canning, and metallurgical industries developed actively in the city. The construction of the railway in 1851 strengthened its status as a significant industrial centre in western France.
• End of the Shipbuilding Era (Late 20th century): The closure of the last major shipyards in 1987 came as a real shock to the city and concluded Nantes' centuries-old history as a shipbuilding capital. This event forced the city to completely rethink its future and triggered massive transformations.
• Large-scale Urban Transformation (1990s – 2000s): In response to deindustrialisation, Nantes launched ambitious renovation projects. Former industrial zones, primarily the Île de Nantes, were turned into modern districts with offices, housing, and cultural venues. In 1985, Nantes was the first in modern France to return trams to the streets, creating one of the largest networks in the country and focusing on eco-friendly public transport.
• Cultural Renaissance and Creativity (21st century): The symbol of the new Nantes became the art project "Les Machines de l'île", opened in 2007 on the site of the former shipyards. A giant mechanical elephant and other fantastic creatures, inspired by the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, turned the industrial heritage into a magnet for tourists and the hallmark of a creative city.
• "European Green Capital" (2013): The recognition of Nantes as the "European Green Capital" in 2013 was the result of a long-term policy aimed at improving the quality of life, developing public transport, creating parks, and caring for the environment. This status cemented the city's reputation as one of the most comfortable and environmentally responsible metropolises in Europe.

The architecture of Nantes is a living map of its history, where medieval fortress walls sit alongside elegant 18th-century facades, and former industrial shipyards have been transformed into a testing ground for bold architectural experiments. The city represents a unique blend of styles, reflecting its evolution from a ducal capital to a modern creative metropolis.

The Middle Ages and Flamboyant Gothic

The appearance of medieval Nantes was largely defined by two grandiose structures, the construction of which began in the 15th century. Their power and grace still serve as the city's calling card.

• Castle of the Dukes of Brittany (Château des ducs de Bretagne): This monumental castle is a striking example of the transition from a defensive fortress to an exquisite ducal residence. Its outer walls retain a stern medieval appearance, while the inner buildings, constructed from light tuffeau stone, demonstrate elements of the early Renaissance.
• Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul): This masterpiece of the "Flamboyant Gothic" style took over 450 years to build. Its snow-white interior, the impressive height of its vaults, and the famous tomb of Francis II and Marguerite de Foix make it one of the most important Gothic temples in France.

The "Golden Age" and Elegant Classicism

In the 18th century, having grown rich on maritime trade, Nantes experienced a construction boom that gave the city its most exquisite districts. The architecture of this period is characterised by strict lines, symmetry, and luxurious yet restrained decor.

• Île Feydeau (Feydeau Island): The former island on the Loire was built up with luxurious mansions for wealthy shipowners and merchants. Their characteristic features are high stone facades adorned with wrought-iron balconies and sculpted mascarons. Due to the soft soil, the buildings have tilted slightly, giving the district a special charm.
• Graslin District: Designed as a unified architectural ensemble around the theatre of the same name, this area is a standard of Neoclassicism. The Théâtre Graslin and Place Royale form the heart of elegant and aristocratic Nantes.

The Industrial 19th Century and Eclecticism

In the 19th century, Nantes established itself as a major industrial centre. The architecture of this time combines utilitarian factory buildings with the lavish eclecticism of public buildings, mixing different styles.

• Passage Pommeraye: This magnificent shopping arcade, opened in 1843, is a true masterpiece of the era. It combines Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance elements with metal and glass structures that were innovative for that time, creating a luxurious and light-filled space across three levels.
• LU Factory: The former biscuit factory with two towers crowned with domes became a vivid symbol of the city's industrial heritage. Today, its walls house the contemporary arts centre Le Lieu Unique ("The Unique Place").

Modernity and Architectural Renaissance

Modern Nantes is a laboratory of urban planning. The most ambitious project was the renovation of the Île de Nantes (Island of Nantes), where a new district has grown on the site of former shipyards, showcasing the best examples of contemporary architecture.

• Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice): A project by the famous architect Jean Nouvel, this austere and monumental building became one of the first symbols of the renewed island.
• National School of Architecture (ENSA Nantes): The building, designed by the Lacaton & Vassal bureau, represents a light three-level structure that can be easily transformed, reflecting modern approaches to sustainable and flexible architecture.
• Creation District (Quartier de la Création): This cluster unites offices, educational institutions, and cultural spaces, such as the "Machines of the Isle" art project, demonstrating how a post-industrial territory can become a centre of innovation and creativity.

Nantes, a city with a rich and multifaceted history, has been the birthplace or training ground for many outstanding individuals who have left a significant mark on culture, politics, and science. Here are some of them:

Anne of Brittany (1477–1514) — Duchess of Brittany and Queen of France

• Born in the Castle of Nantes, Anne was the last ruler of independent Brittany. Marrying two Kings of France in succession, Charles VIII and Louis XII, she played a key role in the process of uniting the duchy with the French kingdom, forever changing the political map of Europe.

Jules Verne (1828–1905) — Writer, Pioneer of Science Fiction

• One of the most famous natives of Nantes, whose imagination was born in the port city of the 19th century. His novels, such as "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and "Around the World in Eighty Days", have inspired generations of readers, explorers, and inventors around the world.

Pierre Cambronne (1770–1842) — General of the Napoleonic Army

• A general famous for his courage at the Battle of Waterloo. Born and died in Nantes, he became a symbol of resilience and loyalty. Legend attributes to him the famous phrase: "The Guard dies but does not surrender!".

Aristide Briand (1862–1932) — Politician and Diplomat

• A native of Nantes and an outstanding statesman of the Third Republic. He held the post of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of France multiple times. For his efforts to strengthen peace and international cooperation, particularly for the Kellogg–Briand Pact, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1926.

Jacques Demy (1931–1990) — Film Director

• Although he was born near Nantes, it was in this city that his childhood and youth were spent, which was reflected in his work. Demy is one of the bright representatives of the "French New Wave", the creator of cult musical films such as "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" and "The Young Girls of Rochefort", in which Nantes often served as a source of inspiration.

Éric Tabarly (1931–1998) — Yachtsman and Naval Officer

• Born in Nantes, Tabarly became a national icon and one of the greatest yachtsmen of the 20th century. He was a pioneer in the design of racing yachts and a multiple winner of prestigious transatlantic regattas, bringing fame to the French school of sailing throughout the world.