Jardin des Fonderies, Public garden in Loire Valley, France
Jardin des Fonderies is a 3,200-square-meter (34,400-square-foot) garden on Nantes Island that combines industrial remnants with botanical displays under a preserved metal hall from 1937. The site contains roughly 100 plant species arranged across two distinct sections with different design approaches.
The site once housed the Atlantic Foundries, which manufactured propellers for significant ships including France and aircraft carriers Clemenceau and Foch. After the facility closed, the industrial grounds were transformed into a garden that honors its manufacturing past through the retained metal structure.
The space preserves industrial heritage through its metal hall, while the plants displayed reference Nantes' maritime trading past and global connections.
The garden is easily reached by tram lines 2 and 3 at Vincent Gâche station or bus line 5 at Fonderies station. Walking through the site is straightforward since the two sections are clearly separated and marked.
The garden divides into two distinct sections: the Jardin des Fours featuring archaeological remains and the Jardin des Expéditions with raised planting beds. This split design lets visitors experience two very different garden concepts within one location.
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