Clisson, Medieval commune in Loire-Atlantique, France.
Clisson is a commune in Loire-Atlantique near Nantes, sitting where the Sèvre Nantaise and the Moine rivers meet. Granite bridges cross the water, and stone buildings line the riverbanks while castle ruins crown the hillside above the rooftops.
The castle here was built between the 13th and 15th centuries as a defensive structure and suffered heavy damage during the War of Vendée. Sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot led the rebuilding of the town in the early 1800s in an Italian-inspired style.
The town architecture reflects strong Italian influences due to the reconstruction efforts led by sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot in the early 1800s.
The central market hall has held a weekly Friday market since the 15th century, offering local produce and regional specialties. The streets around the rivers are easy to explore on foot, and many paths lead down to the riverside walks and up to the castle ruins.
Every June the town becomes a center for metal music when Hellfest attracts more than 180,000 visitors. The festival uses the open grounds and combines local structures with stages and tents for several days of concentrated performances.
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