Heritage
Château des ducs de Bretagne
Château des ducs de Bretagne - Musée d’histoire de Nantes
Castle of the dukes of Brittany - Nantes’ history museum

At the castle, fall under the spell of six centuries of medieval history…

Set in the historic heart of Nantes, the Château des ducs de Bretagne is the city’s most important historic building, along with the Cathedral St. Pierre.

When looking at it from the city, it is a fortress with 500 metres of curtain walls punctuated by seven towers, all linked by a sentry walkway.
The inner courtyard reveals an elegant 15th century ducal residence made of tufa stone, in flamboyant gothic style and bearing the first traces of Renaissance inspiration, as well as other buildings dating back from the 16th and the 18th centuries. With their elegant white stone walls and sophisticated sculpted façades, they contrast strikingly with the rough textures of the exterior fortifications, made of granite blocks and separated by layers of schist.

The Grand Logis houses the Nantes’ history museum, while the Harnachement building hosts large temporary exhibitions.
At the castle? You can easily spend a day there: stroll along the ramparts, visit the museum or the exhibition, take a break in the moat or enjoy a crêpe or an ice cream at La Fraiseraie.

Nantes’ history museum

The museum tells the story of the city in 7 sequences. Its scenography offers a walking tour punctuated with 1.150 objects from its collection as well as interactive multimedia displays that are aesthetic, fun, and educational.

Discover the rebirth of a museum with its newly enriched collections pertaining to Nantes’ history (the slave trade, World War I and II…) thanks to local collection drives, and a new extension showcasing the city’s history from 1945 to today.

Discover the museum


Musée d'histoire de Nantes

A room dedicated to the Edict of Nantes

A new interactive and didactic digital device, a magic wall, is displayed in room 3 of the museum, now completely devoted to the Edict of Nantes.

Pierrick Sorin

Pierrick Sorin, Portrait de ville, 2010 to be seen in room 32.



Portrait de ville - Pierrick Sorin - Château des ducs de Bretagne - Nantes ©

It happens at the castle

Continue your visit to the Memorial of the abolition of slavery

Discover

See more