France: Nantes

Nantes is the sixth-largest city in France. Founded as the Namnetes by Gallic tribes around the 2nd century BC, Nantes later became a notable Roman settlement and a key trading hub. By the 5th century, it was a center of Christianity. In the medieval times, Nantes became the capital of the Duchy of Brittany. In the 17-18th centuries, Nantes became France’s largest port and a major player in the transatlantic slave trade. In the 19th century, Nantes thrived as an industrial center, with shipbuilding and food processing driving its economy. The main attraction here, without a doubt, is the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, a 13th-century castle with a moat and drawbridges. The imposing cathedral and narrow cobblestone streets beg exploring as well.