GETTING READY FOR YOUR BIKE TRIP<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nBefore saddling up, you need to think about renting a bike, gearing up, and getting your bearings before you can go exploring the city.<\/p>\n
\n- The <\/strong>Bicloo<\/strong><\/a> rental service is well-suited for Nantes, but there are plenty of other rental agencies with some very high-quality bikes, such as Bike\u2019n Tour<\/strong><\/a> or D\u00e9tours de Loire<\/strong><\/a>. The choice between a normal or electric bike is up to you, but Nantes isn\u2019t too hilly and your run-of-the-mill bike tends to get the job done!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- You should even think about being somewhat prepared on the day itself. At the very least, opt for comfortable clothes and shoes, along with a helmet. Make sure you bring a small rucksack with you, to put a flask and your personal belongings in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- We don\u2019t all have the same sense of direction, so make sure to take a look at the map of the city first, which I\u2019m sure you were careful to pick up from the tourism office<\/strong> in front of the Ch\u00e2teau des Grands Ducs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1. Saddle up for a bit of history<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\nWe\u2019ll start our trip in a natural setting at the picturesque Jardin des plantes<\/a><\/strong>, an English country garden in the heart of the city. It\u2019s one of France\u2019s four great botanical gardens: Louis XIV had it created for his apothecaries, and then Louis XV began asking ships from Nantes to bring back grains and plants from their trips. Nowadays, the garden comprises over 11,000 living species, 800m2<\/sup> of greenhouses, and produces 70,000 flowers each season… It\u2019s a real treat for the senses!<\/p>\n![\"Jardin](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Nantes_Carina_Huynh-4.jpg?resize=640%2C446&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThen, we\u2019ll dive into the history of the Quai de la Fosse with the <\/strong>Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery<\/strong><\/a>. Once the point of departure for boats engaging in this triangular trade, it now stands as a memorial to the city\u2019s past. Here, you can read passages and stories dating up to the abolition of slavery, as you listen to the flow of the Loire. <\/p>\nThen we\u2019re off to Trentemoult<\/strong>, an ancient fishing village located in Rez\u00e9. To get there, head towards the ferry port, where you\u2019ll take the water shuttle (and don\u2019t forget to load your bike on, too). Once you\u2019re on the left bank of the Loire, you\u2019ll no doubt be charmed by the ancient fishing village of Trentemoult, and the crooked, narrow alleyways, colours, flowery houses, and unique atmosphere found here.<\/p>\n2. Head to Haute Ile for a local bite to eat<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter a meander around the colourful houses, get back on the saddle and follow the Loire along the small path facing the Virgin Mary. You\u2019ll come across an amazing view of a grey crane… Continue along, passing under the Trois-Continents bridge, until you get to Haute-Ile.<\/p>\n![\"Loire](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Nantes_Carina_Huynh-3.jpg?resize=640%2C455&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nHaute Ile<\/strong> is another ancient fishing village, just like its neighbour, Trentemoult. This district resembles what Trentemoult would have looked like 20 years ago, but it\u2019s less well-known and so it\u2019s a bit calmer. On the bank of the Loire you\u2019ll have a wonderful view overlooking the fishing boats, and the iconic B\u00e9ghin Say factory in the distance.<\/p>\nIn this village The Les Isles Restaurant<\/strong><\/a> is hidden. It\u2019s a real local\u2019s pub where Virginie will make you feel right at home. The furniture, along with the floor, which is made of small, multicolour tiles, is very much of its time. The food is authentic, tasty, and ideal for small budgets, but I\u2019d recommend booking at least an hour in advance, because this location is very popular with the locals!<\/p>\n3. Art space on Ile de Nantes<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\nThis time, head towards Ile de Nantes by retracing your steps before taking the Trois-Continents bridge. Here, you can admire the graphic installation produced by The Feebles<\/strong><\/a>, who\u2019ve added a splash of colour to this cycle path!<\/p>\n![\"point](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Nantes_Carina_Huynh-6.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nHead towards Quai des Antilles, where The Rings by Daniel Buren<\/strong><\/a> will be watching you. These eighteen rings, said to symbolise the shackles of slaves of the African slave trade, are an aesthetic and photogenic success found on the Quai des Antilles. And even more so in the evening, when they show off their bright colours!<\/p>\nModern art fans won\u2019t be able to resist the Hab Gallery<\/strong><\/a>. The M\u00e9moire d\u2019un Touriste <\/strong>(memoir of a tourist) exhibition by Bertrand Dezoteux<\/strong> will allow you to experience real, imaginary, and hybrid travel experiences from all over the world.<\/p>\n4. Steep yourself in the spirit of Nantes<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\nAt the end of the quay, where you\u2019ll find the yellow Titan crane, is also the location of The Machines of <\/strong><\/a>Ile<\/strong>, which aren\u2019t in use any more. This attraction never ceases to amaze us, because of its sea life merry-go-round, the machine gallery, and the gigantic elephant which walks around and sprays kids with water! In short, it\u2019s a magical and unique location!<\/p>\n![\"Les](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Nantes_Carina_Huynh-2.jpg?resize=640%2C404&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nAfter all this hard work, it\u2019s time for a break at Bras de Fer<\/strong><\/a>, a location created by four brothers united over a shared passion: the world of wine. They have one foot in the vineyard and one foot in the city, since every step of the wine-making process takes place in the \u00cele de Nantes wine cellar. You can sample their wares here, as well as those by wine makers they share their values and philosophy with.<\/p>\nThen, I suggest a walk around Wattignies<\/strong><\/a>, a social, fair trade, and urban market. This former car garage is an unusual location: here you\u2019ll find a flea market trading second-hand goods, vinyls, and second-hand clothes, and there\u2019s even a restaurant bar. It\u2019s a site of cultural and social experimentation as well as a fair trade shopping arcade, and it\u2019s worth the detour! <\/p>\n5. End the night in style!<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
- \n
- You should even think about being somewhat prepared on the day itself. At the very least, opt for comfortable clothes and shoes, along with a helmet. Make sure you bring a small rucksack with you, to put a flask and your personal belongings in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- We don\u2019t all have the same sense of direction, so make sure to take a look at the map of the city first, which I\u2019m sure you were careful to pick up from the tourism office<\/strong> in front of the Ch\u00e2teau des Grands Ducs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1. Saddle up for a bit of history<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
We\u2019ll start our trip in a natural setting at the picturesque Jardin des plantes<\/a><\/strong>, an English country garden in the heart of the city. It\u2019s one of France\u2019s four great botanical gardens: Louis XIV had it created for his apothecaries, and then Louis XV began asking ships from Nantes to bring back grains and plants from their trips. Nowadays, the garden comprises over 11,000 living species, 800m2<\/sup> of greenhouses, and produces 70,000 flowers each season… It\u2019s a real treat for the senses!<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nThen, we\u2019ll dive into the history of the Quai de la Fosse with the <\/strong>Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery<\/strong><\/a>. Once the point of departure for boats engaging in this triangular trade, it now stands as a memorial to the city\u2019s past. Here, you can read passages and stories dating up to the abolition of slavery, as you listen to the flow of the Loire. <\/p>\n
Then we\u2019re off to Trentemoult<\/strong>, an ancient fishing village located in Rez\u00e9. To get there, head towards the ferry port, where you\u2019ll take the water shuttle (and don\u2019t forget to load your bike on, too). Once you\u2019re on the left bank of the Loire, you\u2019ll no doubt be charmed by the ancient fishing village of Trentemoult, and the crooked, narrow alleyways, colours, flowery houses, and unique atmosphere found here.<\/p>\n
2. Head to Haute Ile for a local bite to eat<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
After a meander around the colourful houses, get back on the saddle and follow the Loire along the small path facing the Virgin Mary. You\u2019ll come across an amazing view of a grey crane… Continue along, passing under the Trois-Continents bridge, until you get to Haute-Ile.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nHaute Ile<\/strong> is another ancient fishing village, just like its neighbour, Trentemoult. This district resembles what Trentemoult would have looked like 20 years ago, but it\u2019s less well-known and so it\u2019s a bit calmer. On the bank of the Loire you\u2019ll have a wonderful view overlooking the fishing boats, and the iconic B\u00e9ghin Say factory in the distance.<\/p>\n
In this village The Les Isles Restaurant<\/strong><\/a> is hidden. It\u2019s a real local\u2019s pub where Virginie will make you feel right at home. The furniture, along with the floor, which is made of small, multicolour tiles, is very much of its time. The food is authentic, tasty, and ideal for small budgets, but I\u2019d recommend booking at least an hour in advance, because this location is very popular with the locals!<\/p>\n
3. Art space on Ile de Nantes<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
This time, head towards Ile de Nantes by retracing your steps before taking the Trois-Continents bridge. Here, you can admire the graphic installation produced by The Feebles<\/strong><\/a>, who\u2019ve added a splash of colour to this cycle path!<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nHead towards Quai des Antilles, where The Rings by Daniel Buren<\/strong><\/a> will be watching you. These eighteen rings, said to symbolise the shackles of slaves of the African slave trade, are an aesthetic and photogenic success found on the Quai des Antilles. And even more so in the evening, when they show off their bright colours!<\/p>\n
Modern art fans won\u2019t be able to resist the Hab Gallery<\/strong><\/a>. The M\u00e9moire d\u2019un Touriste <\/strong>(memoir of a tourist) exhibition by Bertrand Dezoteux<\/strong> will allow you to experience real, imaginary, and hybrid travel experiences from all over the world.<\/p>\n
4. Steep yourself in the spirit of Nantes<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
At the end of the quay, where you\u2019ll find the yellow Titan crane, is also the location of The Machines of <\/strong><\/a>Ile<\/strong>, which aren\u2019t in use any more. This attraction never ceases to amaze us, because of its sea life merry-go-round, the machine gallery, and the gigantic elephant which walks around and sprays kids with water! In short, it\u2019s a magical and unique location!<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nAfter all this hard work, it\u2019s time for a break at Bras de Fer<\/strong><\/a>, a location created by four brothers united over a shared passion: the world of wine. They have one foot in the vineyard and one foot in the city, since every step of the wine-making process takes place in the \u00cele de Nantes wine cellar. You can sample their wares here, as well as those by wine makers they share their values and philosophy with.<\/p>\n
Then, I suggest a walk around Wattignies<\/strong><\/a>, a social, fair trade, and urban market. This former car garage is an unusual location: here you\u2019ll find a flea market trading second-hand goods, vinyls, and second-hand clothes, and there\u2019s even a restaurant bar. It\u2019s a site of cultural and social experimentation as well as a fair trade shopping arcade, and it\u2019s worth the detour! <\/p>\n
5. End the night in style!<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
- We don\u2019t all have the same sense of direction, so make sure to take a look at the map of the city first, which I\u2019m sure you were careful to pick up from the tourism office<\/strong> in front of the Ch\u00e2teau des Grands Ducs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Lieu](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Nantes_Carina_Huynh-5.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n