Description
Nantes has the distinctive feature of being located being between river and sea. The entire layout of the city, which was once referred to as the “Venice of the West,” and its very unique atmosphere, is a result of the Loire – the most visited river in Europe, along with the Danube – and its tributaries. The estuary of the Loire is a remarkable natural space at the intersection of two bird migration paths, and is home to nearly 200 protected animal species. Upstream, the historical wealth of the Loire Valley and its castles is breathtaking (Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord, to name only two). Further along, between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, right until the ocean 60 km (37 mi.) away, the river becomes more pristine, lined with remarkable landscapes that slowly transforms into an open-air museum made up of 30 contemporary artworks by renowned artists, mixing nature, art and industry.