During medieval times, Bouffay was the heart of Nantes, and over the years the city has spread beyond its original walls, and the original city is now a pleasant pedestrian area with a mixture of modern bars and restaurants, medieval timber-frame buildings and the ruins of renaissance chimneys, and the street names
still tell the history of the different parts of town. Place du Bouffay is where fairs, markets, jousting contests and even executions were held, and today is a lovely centre for tourists and students to enjoy a drink or meal and chat with friends.