An iconic site in the city, the birthplace of Anne of Brittany, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, at the heart of the Voyage à Nantes tourist and cultural event, has become a major player in the Greater WestA witness to Nantes' industrial history, the museum acquired in 2018 new parts from the Lefèvre-Utile biscuit factory, while the The castle already houses the largest collection of original LU objects in France.Located in the historic heart of the city, the The Nantes History Museum paints a portrait of the city from its origins to the metropolis of today. the 32 rooms of the course allow us to understand the city and its evolution, through the major events that shape its identity.
The cThe current castle is the work of Francis II, the last Duke of independent Brittanywho wanted to make his monument a defensive military fortress against royal power and the main residence of the ducal court. The embellishment work was continued by his daughter, Duchess Anne of Brittany, twice Queen of France through her successive marriages to Charles VIII and Louis XII. This is evidenced by various sculpted decorations (dormer windows of the main building, coat of arms, loggias of the Golden Crown Tower) marked by the very first influences of the Italian Renaissance.
Le The first item in the collection remains the monument itself.A witness to the history of Nantes and Brittany, it is a defining landmark of the region. Its successive transformations over the centuries accompany the visitor's journey, who discovers the monument's interior architecture at the same time as 1,150 collectibles. "Nantes and its history" This is the concept chosen to orchestrate the dialogue between the monument and the museum's collections. The themes explored are numerous, ranging from the history of ducal Brittany to the slave trade and colonial history, encompassing the Loire estuary, urban development, port activity, industrial history, the two World Wars, and social movements. All these subjects resonate, in one way or another, with contemporary events. The museum continues to position Nantes at the heart of the issue of the slave trade and slavery.
- Continue your exploration of the Loire Valley with the circuit Discovering the castles and heritage wonders between Loire-Atlantique, Vendée and Anjou dans lequel s’inscrit le château des ducs de Bretagne.
