Day 36 - Nantes by foot

Monday, August 6th, 2018.

 Today we woke up earlier than usual because we left the windows and blinds open to get some air (as well as a few mosquitoes) but we finally got a good night's sleep! We immediately feel at home when each of us has a room and a common area to share. We have a spacious family room with TV, which we haven't used. Gregory and I got ready and went to the grocery store. I now even have a discount card there!

 It is hard not to buy everything that you need but you have to consider that 1) You have to walk and 2) you have to carry the groceries. So we got the basics to start the day with. We came home and had breakfast at noon. Gregory announced that we were going to take a walking tour of the city that he found on couchsurfing.com. We met with our guide at 3:00pm sharp. His name was Antoine and he spoke French, English, and Spanish. He was a well-read engineer who guided us through the historical center for two hours. He made several stops and explained the historical context. It was fantastic because it really helps you see the city from a completely different perspective. We all got a lot out of the tour. We finished at the Machines de l'Ile which is the place my friend had recommended to us. We decided to do it another day mostly because it was late. 

 Instead, Antoine recommended that we visit a small town called Trentemoult, just across the river. It was a tiny village with streets too narrow for cars and we saw small, colorful houses. By then, we were all tired, hot and hungry. We looked for a place to have a Nutella crepe but we didn't succeed so we settled for ice cream in front of the river. Finally, the boat left us almost in front of the place we are staying.

 We came home and the first thing we did was to take a shower. Had a fresh salad for dinner and here I am, trying to catch up with the day!

 TIP: Take a free walking tour with Antoine. Please give him a nice tip! http://www.freewalkingtournantes.com



Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne



Cathedral St. Pierre et St. Paul

Not another church!


Monument to Luis XVI - 1 of 4 in the world!


Remaining medieval wall with bishop's palace and cathedral behind it.

Our tour group

There are floating bars on the river!

Memorial to World War II hostages.


Remnants of a medieval tower and executioner's home

Remains of a medieval wall now a street toilet, incroyable!



Beautiful shopping mall, Passage Pommeraye

Theatre & Place Graslin

Machines de l'IIe.

Giant mechanical elephant that spits water!

Waiting for the boat to go to Trentemoult. The boat takes regular bus/tram tickets!


Enjoying the ride!


Cute little village.




Going home!


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