After 15 years of restoration, Nante's Château des Ducs de Bretagne is finally reopening to the public on February 9th, 2007, with a brand new museum dedicated to the history of Nantes. Constructed in the 13th century on the site of Gallo-Roman ruins (which are still visible!), this stunning castle sits on the right bank of the Loire River. Queen Anne de Bretagne grew up in the Castle and Henri IV chose to stay here on his way to sign the famous Edict of Nantes. It was declared a Historic Monument of France in 1862. As one crosses its moat via the drawbridge, the royal hallways lead to the great rooms of the dukes, and the central government of yore, culminating in the Tower of the Iron Horse and that of the Golden Crown, with their spectacular views of the city. In this castle, spectacular Gothic and Renaissance architecture intermingle.
The museum's collection of 800 works is spread throughout 32 of the castle's rooms, and multimedia displays describe the histories of the Loire's estuary, of the castle, of Nantes and the region, and their modern development. Nantes is the capital of the Pays de La Loire region. It is a city at once historically rich and richly modern, with its new Palais de Justice designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel.
Upcoming exhibitions include:
"France-Nouvelle France, Birth of a French People in America," which retraces the history of French immigration towards the Americas, in collaboration with the Museum of Montreal. (March 10 - June 10, 2007)
And,
"Anne de Bretagne, Builder." (30 June - 30 September, 2007)
Admission:
6 euro; 3 euro reduced price; groups 15 or larger, 4.50 euro.
Free for those under 18, the unemployed, disabled persons, and school/university groups.
The entire museum is accessible to disabled visitors, as are sections of the ramparts.
Parts of museum are accessible for visitors with impaired vision.
How to get there: TGV Paris: 2 hours--Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport: 2:50
Contacts :
Château des Ducs de Bretagne
Tel : (from US) 011 -33-2 51 17 49 99
Tel: (from inside France) 02 51 17 49 99
www.chateau-nantes.fr
Tourist Office of Nantes
Tel: (from US) 011-33-2 40 20 60 03 or 07
Tel: (from inside France) 02 40 20 60 03 or 07
www.nantes-tourisme.com
Château des Ducs de Bretagne Celebrates Reopening
