Guided Tour of the Island of Nantes Urbanism and Contemporary Art

Facing the majestic yellow Titan crane, you will discover one of the most emblematic symbols of Nantes. Over 40 metres high, this impressive structure once dominated the shipyards where the great Nantes ships were built. Today classified as a historic monument, it testifies to the rich industrial and maritime past of the city.

Under the immense naves of the Ile de Nantes, you will plunge into a unique universe where the city’s industrial past meets the most unbridled imagination. Former shipyard halls converted into cultural space, they are now home to the famous Machines of the Island, with their giant mechanical creatures inspired by Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Banana Hangar is one of the most vibrant and emblematic places on the Island of Nantes. Formerly a port warehouse where bananas from the former colonies were received and stored, this building, more than 150 metres long, has been transformed into a leisure and cultural space on the banks of the Loire.

The Quartier de la Création is the face of 21st century Nantes. Located on the island of Nantes, in the heart of former industrial and port grounds, it now brings together art schools, innovative companies, cultural spaces and living places. As you walk the streets, you will discover how the city has transformed a brownfield into an urban laboratory where contemporary architecture, culture and innovation come together on a daily basis.

The Palais de Justice in Nantes, designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel, is one of the most remarkable contemporary buildings in the city. With its immense black columns, clean lines and monumental architecture, it imposes its presence on the Loire riverbanks. During the tour, you will discover how this building inaugurated in 2000 symbolizes the renaissance of the Island of Nantes