Château des ducs de Bretagne
Château des ducs de Bretagne, Medieval castle and history museum in Nantes, France
The castle features seven defensive towers connected by fortified walls, with a moat that was previously fed by the Loire River.
The castle construction began in 1207 under Guy de Thouars, Duke of Brittany, and underwent major renovations during the 15th century by François II.
The Nantes History Museum within the castle displays over 850 artifacts illustrating the evolution of the city through different periods.
The castle remains open daily from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, with extended hours until 8:00 PM during July and August.
The castle's Small Government section contains original brick and slate fireplaces from the reign of Francis I of France.
Location: Nantes
Inception: 1207
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Address: 4 Pl. Marc Elder, 44000 Nantes, France 44000 Nantes
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:30-19:00; July-August 08:30-20:00
Phone: +33251174948
Website: http://chateaunantes.fr
GPS coordinates: 47.21614,-1.54914
Latest update: September 9, 2025 08:59
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.
Halloween becomes an annual major event across France. Theme parks like Disneyland Paris, Parc Astérix, and Futuroscope create special environments with seasonal decorations, themed shows, and attractions suitable for all ages. Families can enjoy special menus in restaurants and meet costumed characters that animate the walkways. Cultural heritage sites also participate by organizing night visits. The Paris Catacombs reveal their underground history through guided tours after dark. The Château de Combourg welcomes visitors to its medieval halls with historical stories, while the Citadel of Bitche transforms its military galleries into theatrical settings. Museums also join the festivities: the Rodin Museum highlights its Gates of Hell with sound and visual effects. Natural sites like the Balme Caves host thematic exhibitions, and even the Thoiry Zoo invites visitors to observe animals during specially arranged evening events.
Reflecting pool
123 m
Monument aux morts de la guerre de 1870
162 m
Nantes History Museum
58 m
Le Voyage à Nantes
122 m
Rue Prémion
107 m
Hôtel de l'Isle du Fief
148 m
Jardin des Douves du château
10 m
Grand Logis
70 m
Tour des Espagnols
72 m
Le Petit Gouvernement
32 m
Conciergerie
37 m
Tour du Fer à Cheval
81 m
Tour du Pied de Biche
71 m
Galerie Fine Art
140 m
Bastion Saint-Pierre
67 m
Le Harnachement
31 m
Statue d'Anne de Bretagne
107 m
Tour du Port
82 m
Anne of Brittany
178 m
Tour des Jacobins
80 m
Tour de la Boulangerie
73 m
Patio del Castillo de los Duques de Bretaña
11 m
Commémoration de l'union de la Bretagne et de la France
41 m
Le Débitumeur
133 m
Tour du Vieux Donjon
48 m
Grand Gouvernement
63 m
Arthur III
128 m
Tour de la Rivière
45 mReviews
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You can walk all around the castle or sit facing the park. Don't hesitate to go inside to observe the white facade of the castle. A magic place 🏰
You can walk all around the castle or sit facing the park. Don't hesitate to go inside to observe the white facade of the castle. A magic place 🏰
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