Nestled on the banks of the Loire River in western France, Nantes stands as a city with a rich and fascinating history. Being the sixth-largest city in France, Nantes is one of the most famous and lively cities in the country. It actually serves as the capital of the Pays de la Loire region and holds a historically distinctive position at the crossroads of Bretagne and the Loire Valley. To tell the truth, it is the case for the Mont Saint-Michel, French are still debating about which region Nantes is truly from, which makes it a pretty interesting story to investigate …

Having always been an important and strategic city on the political landscape, Nantes has witnessed centuries of cultural exchange, development and conflicts leaving behind a legacy that is both diverse and remarkable and that showcases the complexity of its history. Indeed, you should know that, until 1532, Nantes which was in the Bretagne region, was not part of France…The greatest visible heritage left of the modern city of Nantes is probably its castle: Le château des Ducs de Bretagne.

The Origins of Nantes - Portus Namnetum

As many other big French cities like Paris, the origins of Nantes can be traced back to prehistoric times, with evidence of human activity in the area dating back over 2,000 years. The city's strategic location at the mouth of the Loire River, a natural gateway to the Atlantic Ocean, has been an important center of trade since ancient times. The city prospered under the Gallo-Roman Empire and was known as Portus Namnetum, a busy port city that played an important role in maritime trade.

A port city

Indeed, the natural location of Nantes destined it to build its activity around the ocean. The city has lived from its port since Roman times. In Nantes, tin, copper and food were traded by boat. As it was the trend in Europe in the 17th century, especially in Bordeaux in France, the importation of exotic products such as tobacco from the West Indies and other spices from the East were the principal activity of the port. At the beginning of the 18th century, the triangular trade developed in Nantes which became the first port in Europe and attracted more and more wealthy curious travelers from all over the world. Some saw in this celebrity won the opportunity to create flourishing tourism companies. Private hotels, still visible today especially on the island Feydeau, are then erected to welcome the well-off travelers.

Nantes thus became a tourist destination that contributed to the international influence of France. The port of Nantes continued to grow despite the French Revolution of 1789. However, the port of Nantes did not escape the violence of World War II. It will be rebuilt after the bombing but it will not regain its former glory. In 1991, the «Port Atlantique Nantes-Saint-Nazaire» was created in order to help the city to regain international influence as a port.

Nantes in the 18th century

The 18th century marked a turning point in Nantes' history. The city became an important hub for the transatlantic slave trade and the city played a pivotal role in the trade of goods and African slaves transported to French colonies in America. This trade led to prosperity and rapid urban expansion. This increase in wealth led to the spawning of grand townhouses and public buildings as well as made the city more and more vibrant. Like Bordeaux and La Rochelle, the dark legacy of the slave trade remains an integral part of the city's history, and efforts have been made to acknowledge and confront this past like it is the case in the castle museum.

Nantes in the 19th century

As is the case throughout Europe, the 19th century is marked by the transformations that industrialization brings to cities. In 1824, the Joseph Colin factory was opened in Nantes. The latter specializes in the sterilization preservation processes developed by Nicolas Appert, the preserves are then mainly produced for long voyages on boats. Brands such as Saupiquet, Cassegrain, BN (la Biscuiterie nantaise), and LU appeared in Nantes and are major agri-food companies even today. Shipbuilding is also important there, the Belem ship was built in Nantes shipyards in 1896.

Indeed, during the 19th century, the period of industrialization and modernization that Nantes experienced was largely due to its port activity. The city became a major center for shipbuilding, as well as the production of textiles and machinery all trading through ships. As the city embraced the Industrial Revolution, it witnessed significant growth and remarkable urban development. Nantes also played a crucial role in the development of aviation, with local aviation pioneer Clément Ader who brought substantial innovations to the field.