Île de Versailles, Japanese garden on artificial island in Nantes, France
The Île de Versailles spans 1.7 hectares along the Erdre River, featuring water elements, rock formations, and meticulously maintained vegetation patterns.
Created in 1831 for naval craftsmen, the island underwent transformation in 1983 to become a public space, officially opening on September 11, 1987.
Three Japanese structures stand within the garden complex, with the Maison de l'Erdre housing exhibitions about river ecosystems and maritime traditions.
The garden maintains different seasonal schedules, operating from 8:30 to 20:00 during summer months and closing earlier at 17:30 during winter period.
Visitors can rent electric-powered Ruban Vert boats or canoes between March and October to explore the surrounding Erdre River waters.
Location: Nantes
Inception: September 11, 1987
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Website: https://nature.metropole.nantes.fr/parcs-jardins/ile-de-versailles/
Operator: Ville de Nantes
Address: île de Versailles, 44000 Nantes, France 44000 Nantes
Opening Hours: January 15-March 19,October 23-November 17 08:30-18:30; March 20-October 22 08:30-20:00; November 18-January 14 Monday-Sunday 08:30-17:30
Website: https://nature.metropole.nantes.fr/parcs-jardins/ile-de-versailles
GPS coordinates: 47.22580,-1.55444
Latest update: September 12, 2025 08:23
Nantes features diverse settings for photography, from gardens to historical monuments. Passage Pommeraye, a 19th-century shopping gallery, displays carved staircases and glass roofs across three levels. Île de Versailles offers a Japanese garden with stone lanterns and bamboo groves, while the Jardin des Plantes houses over 10,000 plant species in its greenhouses and pathways. Château des Ducs de Bretagne showcases Renaissance towers, and Cours Cambronne lines neoclassical facades around a tree-lined square. Converted former industrial sites create unique photographic spaces. The Hangar à Bananes, a former warehouse on the Loire quays, now hosts restaurants and galleries. Les Machines de l'Île set their mechanical creations in the naval shipyard’s Nefs. Le Lieu Unique occupies the LU factory with its distinctive tower, and Jardin des Fonderies preserves metal structures from its industrial past. In Trentemoult, a fishing village with houses painted red, yellow, and blue, narrow alleys run along the Loire.
Nantes combines mechanical monuments, botanical gardens, a medieval castle and museums. The historical quarters, old squares and notable architecture reflect its maritime and commercial past. The city features parks, walks along the Loire and cultural institutions like the Art Museum and Natural History Museum. The Machines de l'île presents mechanical animals, including a 12-meter-tall elephant.
Nantes offers a wide range of activities for all tastes and ages. The city has several climbing gyms such as Block'out Nantes with its 1000 m² of climbing routes and boulders, aquatic complexes including the Petit-Port swimming pool with its 50-meter Olympic pool, as well as virtual reality centers like Vortex Experience VR and Virtual Room Nantes for immersive experiences. Puzzle enthusiasts can try various escape rooms, while Quiz Room offers team challenges on different themes. Sporting Nantes brings together on 2000 m² squash courts, badminton, and a fitness room. The city's green spaces allow outdoor relaxation. The Grand Blottereau Park covers 19 hectares with themed gardens, an orangery, and greenhouses housing exotic plants, while Versailles Island offers a natural setting in the city center. For more vigorous activities, Nantes' go-kart track features a covered 400-meter circuit, and the region has automobile racing circuits for sport driving.
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