When in Nantes

 

In Nantes we discovered this impressive Chateau des ducs de Bretagne, the handsome abode of the Dukes of Brittany in North West of France. The word Britanny comes from the Latin Brittania, land of the Britons, but we won't tell the French that. Therefore, Bretagne is also known as Little Britain.

The chateau was built in the late Middle Ages by Duke Francis II and his daughter Anne of Britanny. The turrets, the moat and the ramparts ticked all the boxes of what one expects from a castle except…floating torsos and heads of business men along with their briefcases. A sign of times? Financial crisis? Most intriguing.

Travel tips: Due to a complicated schedule we took an Easyjet flight from Lyon to Nantes and then Nantes to Gatwick. By the way, please note that Easyjet has now reduced its hand luggage dimensions from the standard size to a slightly smaller version thereby making it easier for them to charge you extra. This was frustrating as it meant carrying a shoulder bag instead of my normal cabin baggage, a trollley case. The new dimensions are on the confirmation.

Food: Galette de blé noir was the best crepe I have ever tasted. Buckwheat pancake sounds healthy and is delicious. Fillings are typically ham, mushrooms and cheese. The artisanal cider was a joy to drink.

Nightlife: Narrow cobbled roads were lined with restaurants and bars. One night we ate a lamb tagine and couscous. We did not expect North African food to be so well cooked in that part of France as it is mainly a southern dish but it was perfect. Street entertainers such as fire eaters and mime artists put on lively acts. I was accosted by a friendly one. The nightlife centered around the Chateau and the Cathedral.

 

Nearby attractions: We travelled by train to Sable d'Olonne to attend a wedding. The trains are efficient and cheap. The wide sandy beaches of the Vendée reagion are a great place to relax. I got many hours of writing done using an old-fashioned notepad and pen and not a laptop, internet phone or Kindle in sight. Once in a while it is great to disconnect and travel back in time to not so long ago, a world without internet or mobile phones.

The other interesting place to visit is Puy du Fou where once we saw a Gladiator show.