Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery

The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery is a monument featuring an underground passage along the Loire River in Nantes. The path leads through glass panels, plaques, and inscriptions displaying quotes about human rights and freedom.

Nantes was the primary French port for ships involved in the slave trade during the 18th century. The memorial was later built to acknowledge and document this difficult period in the city's past.

The memorial preserves the names of slave ships, African ports, and American destinations across 2000 glass panels that visitors encounter while walking through. This physical record helps people grasp the human stories behind this historical period.

The memorial is located in a pedestrian area and is easily reached by tram line 1. The underground passage is usually well accessible, but visit during quieter times to explore the site respectfully.

In the underground passage, visitors can read the word freedom written in 50 different languages, showing the universal meaning of this concept. Alongside it, the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is inscribed, connecting the memorial to modern values.

Location: Nantes

Official opening: March 25, 2012

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Opening Hours: September 16-May 14 09:00-18:00; May 15-September 15 Monday-Sunday 09:00-20:00

Website: http://memorial.nantes.fr

GPS coordinates: 47.20930,-1.56525

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04