my home town

Even if I study Japanse at the University of Bordeaux, I live in a town called Nantes> Bordeaux is located in the south west part of France near the Atlantic Ocean, on the Loire river.


Nantes is the 6th largest town in France with a population over 800,000 habitants, including its metropolitan area. Moreover, according to the Time Magazine (2004), Nantes is described as "the most liveable city in Europe".


Nantes is the capital city of the Pays de La Loire region and of the Loire-Atlantique departement. Until 1956, Nantes belonged to Brittany region.


Nantes has been founded around 70 BC by the Gaulish tribe called the Namnetes. During the Roman occupation (around 56BC), the city was called Portus Namnetum then Naoned during its belonging to Brittany region. Nantes is also known as "the Venice of the West" or "the Green Venice" due to its position on the river delta of Loire, the Erdre, the Sevre and the Chezine.


Nantes saw its economy grew up in the 16th and 17th centuries due to the slave trade. In the 19th century, Nantes became an industrial city and the first public transport with its omnibus in 1826 and its railways in1851. Due to its industrial manufactures and its position, Nantes has been occupied by German troops in 1940 until its liberation in 1944 by Americans.


There are lots of old buildings as the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Jules Vernes museum, the Naval museum, or the Fine Arts Museum. There are also many historical places as the Passage Pommeray, Place Royale or Place Graslin. They are many gardens and parks where people can walk, visit or rest as Jardin des Plantes, La Roserais of the Football Club Nantes- La Beaujoire stadium, le parc de la Chezine, l Ile Feydeau where a japanese garden has been created.


Nantes is also famous for its festivals as "Les Rendez-Vous de L Erdre" (a jazz festival), Les Folles Journees ( a classical music festival which also has been exported in Tokyo), The Festival des 3 Continents dedicated to African, Asian and South American cinema, or les Utopiales which is an international science fiction convention...


I am so sorry to have not the possibility to show you some pictures about Nantes. But, if you have time, please go and see in Internet sites.