Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and Nantes History Museum, Nantes (must see)
In the heart of Nantes' medieval quarter stands the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, a historic fortress that once served as the residence of Brittany's dukes from the 13th to 16th centuries. Built by Francis II and his daughter Anne of Brittany鈥攖wice Queen of France鈥攖he castle later became a royal residence and now holds pride of place as one of Nantes' most iconic landmarks. On the city-facing side, visitors are met with imposing granite ramparts and seven towers linked by curtain walls. In contrast, the courtyard side reveals refined Renaissance architecture with white tuffeau stone fa莽ades, elegant Gothic detailing, and calm inner courtyards. The site has been listed as a Historical Monument since 1840.
Today, the ch芒teau is home to the Nantes History Museum, offering a rich, immersive journey through the city鈥檚 past. Housed in the beautifully restored Grand Logis, the museum鈥檚 contemporary displays span over 1,000 objects and interactive multimedia exhibits. The permanent collection is divided into seven themes, from the castle鈥檚 ducal past and Nantes鈥� port and industrial history to the city鈥檚 role in the Atlantic slave trade, both world wars, and its development into a modern cultural hub. Since 2016, new rooms have extended the timeline to the present day, making the museum a dynamic space for reflection and learning.
The castle grounds are equally engaging. Visitors can stroll freely along 500 meters of ramparts, wander through the moat garden, or enjoy views from the towers. Children can enjoy activity booklets, while adults can deepen their visit with multilingual audio guides and guided tours. The Harness Building regularly hosts major temporary exhibitions and cultural events, including concerts, talks, and evening openings. After your visit, stop by the caf茅 nestled in the Old Keep or explore the gift shop housed on site鈥攁 fitting end to a journey through five centuries of history.
Today, the ch芒teau is home to the Nantes History Museum, offering a rich, immersive journey through the city鈥檚 past. Housed in the beautifully restored Grand Logis, the museum鈥檚 contemporary displays span over 1,000 objects and interactive multimedia exhibits. The permanent collection is divided into seven themes, from the castle鈥檚 ducal past and Nantes鈥� port and industrial history to the city鈥檚 role in the Atlantic slave trade, both world wars, and its development into a modern cultural hub. Since 2016, new rooms have extended the timeline to the present day, making the museum a dynamic space for reflection and learning.
The castle grounds are equally engaging. Visitors can stroll freely along 500 meters of ramparts, wander through the moat garden, or enjoy views from the towers. Children can enjoy activity booklets, while adults can deepen their visit with multilingual audio guides and guided tours. The Harness Building regularly hosts major temporary exhibitions and cultural events, including concerts, talks, and evening openings. After your visit, stop by the caf茅 nestled in the Old Keep or explore the gift shop housed on site鈥攁 fitting end to a journey through five centuries of history.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Nantes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and Nantes History Museum on Map
Sight Name: Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and Nantes History Museum
Sight Location: Nantes, France (See walking tours in Nantes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nantes, France (See walking tours in Nantes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nantes, France
Create Your Own Walk in Nantes
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nantes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Nantes Introduction Walking Tour
Dubbed 鈥淭he Sleeping Beauty of France,鈥� Nantes is a city that found rebirth through culture and creativity. Straddling the Loire River in western France, its history stretches across two millennia. The city's name comes from the Namnetes, a Celtic tribe that made their home here before the Romans arrived. The latter incorporated the settlement into their empire in the 1st century BC,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles