Aéroport du Grand Ouest, Cancelled airport project in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, France.
Aéroport du Grand Ouest was a proposed airport northwest of Nantes designed with two runways and passenger facilities to serve western France. The planned complex would have replaced air traffic at the existing Nantes Atlantique Airport nearby.
The project first appeared during France's period of economic expansion in the 1960s and gained official approval in 2008 after decades of planning. Prime Minister Édouard Philippe halted it in 2018 following mounting public opposition and lengthy political debate.
The site became a meeting point for environmental activism, with protesters establishing camps to defend agricultural and natural areas from development. This movement brought together people who questioned large infrastructure projects and their impact on rural communities.
The land is now publicly accessible and local groups sometimes offer guided walks to explain the project's history and what was planned. Check ahead to learn about any community-led visits or seasonal activities at the site.
After cancellation, the construction company Vinci received substantial compensation because it held a 55-year operating concession for the project. This payout sparked national debate about government responsibility and public spending on large infrastructure deals.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
