Île de Versailles, Japanese garden on artificial island in Nantes, France
The Île de Versailles is an artificial island in the Erdre River featuring Japanese-designed gardens with water elements, rock formations, and carefully arranged plantings. A central building, the Maison de l'Erdre, houses exhibitions about river ecosystems and local maritime crafts traditions.
The island was created in 1831 as a training site for naval craftsmen and served practical working purposes for over a century. Major redesign began in 1983, transforming it into a public garden that officially opened to visitors in 1987.
The name references the nearby Palace of Versailles, yet the design follows Japanese principles of garden composition and spatial harmony. Visitors experience a reflective atmosphere shaped by seasonal changes and the blending of traditional aesthetics with contemporary urban life.
The garden is easily accessible on foot from downtown Nantes and features flat, simple pathways throughout the space. Plan your visit flexibly, as opening hours vary between summer and winter seasons.
The island houses a collection of three traditional Japanese structures that give the garden its visual landmark. These buildings were restored and maintained with careful attention to traditional proportions and materials.
Location: Nantes
Inception: September 11, 1987
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Operator: Ville de Nantes
Address: Quai de Versailles, 44000 Nantes, France
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: December 6, 2025 17:41
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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