Château des ducs de Bretagne
Château des ducs de Bretagne, Medieval castle and history museum in Nantes, France
Château des Ducs de Bretagne is a fortified residence from the Middle Ages that stands at the heart of Nantes with thick stone walls and defensive towers. Inside, a museum displays objects from different periods to help visitors understand how the city and region developed over time.
Construction of this fortress began in the early 13th century as a stronghold for Breton dukes, and major rebuilding in the 15th century under François II gave it the form we see today. Those medieval transformations created the structure that has survived to the present day.
This fortress served as the seat of Breton dukes for generations, and that sense of power and authority still lingers in its rooms and courtyards. Visitors can feel how important decisions were made within these walls and how the castle shaped the city's identity.
The grounds are easy to navigate with clear paths through the courtyards and into the museum galleries inside the castle. Plan to spend a few hours exploring both the exterior structures and the exhibition spaces to get a full sense of the site.
The castle's residential wing still contains original fireplaces made of brick and slate that date back to the Renaissance period. These handcrafted details offer a rare glimpse into how the ruling family actually lived day-to-day.
Location: Nantes
Inception: 1207
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Address: 4 Pl. Marc Elder, 44000 Nantes, France
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: December 6, 2025 16:00
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 invites you to discover a city where history is found at every corner. The old building facades tell stories of many years of shipping and exchanges, while the main squares stay lively and full of life. Gardens along the water and stone castles that overlook the city give peaceful spots to relax and explore for all visitors. People who enjoy arts and making things will find a lot to see in Nantes. Museums have collections of paintings and sculptures from many past centuries, and art installations hide in the streets. The Machines of the Island attract visitors with large mechanical creatures, and the Passage Pommeraye, a shopping gallery from the 19th century, impresses with its decorated stairs and glass design. The Loire river itself becomes a place for walks. Gardens near the water, like the Versailles Island with its bridges and ponds, offer quiet ways to wander. The village of Trentemoult, with its colorful houses and restaurants, keeps the feel of an old fishing port. If you want to join a guided tour, a green line painted on the ground links the main cultural and historic spots around the city.
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 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
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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 🏰
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