We have come quite often to Nantes, a City that needs to be visited more by all. A wonderful historical city with many monuments to see, many wonderful properties. I was again on my local road warrior mode and as bit not back, decided to give it a refresher to this must to visit City of Nantes, Loire-Atlantique dept 44 of the Pays de la Loire region,in my belle France ; even if old Bretagne! Do read my previous posts on the city as well, For now let me tell about the Place du Commerce of Nantes !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Place du Commerce is a pedestrian square ,and the nerve center of Nantes life, in particular because the main station of public transport of the Nantes agglomeration is nearby. The square is in the city center at the western limit of the medieval city. It is bordered to the south by the Allée de la Bourse (former quai de Loire), while four arteries lead to it: the rue Thurot and rue François-Salières at the northwest corner, as well as the rue du Port-au-Vin and rue de Gorges at the northeast corner. We have come, also, as it is the main Christmas market every year,Also, a wonderful fair of ancient and used books held weekdays!
Until September 1979, Place du Commerce hosted the main public transport station. The “Info Sale Kiosk” (KIV) settled then at the new station, Cours Franklin-Roosevelt, in October 1980 The square welcomed terraces of coffee shops, but also several national brands such as: Fnac installed in the old “Palais de la Bourse”. Opened in 1963, the Pathé! cinema is now a multiplex which currently brings together twelve rooms, built at No. 12, at the site of the premises of the missing daily the Le Phare de la Loire (ancestor of Press-Océan).
In May 2023, 2051 shrubs, nearly 30,000 seeds of perennials and 1,500 iris were planted and changed the face of the Place du Commerce. Access to the underground car park has been changed to improve accessibility with the creation of two elevators and 305 new spaces for bikes. Eight fountains now connect the Place du Commerce to Île Feydeau island. These geometric shapes revive the old Loire bed. It is also a nerveless point for public transport in Nantes, with the crossing of the three tram lines (T1, T2 and T3) and the departure of many bus lines. On both sides of line 1 of tram, transformed the allée Brancas and Allée de Duguay-Trouin Brancas into quais jardins or garden quays Nice ! Below pics trams Line 2 and 3.
In the Middle Ages, around the 12-13C, it was called Place du Port au Vin because its southern side was once bathed by an arm of the Loire river, later called Bras de la Bourse or arms of the stock exchange, by which the merchant boats arrived, which provided part of the maritime traffic of the port of Nantes The Port au Vin will therefore become the main financial center of Nantes, where all kinds of transactions are made, it then bears the name Place du Commerce. At the same time, a bridge connecting the square to the recently urbanized Île Feydeau island was also built, it was baptized Pont Feydeau. This will soon be replaced by the pont de la Bourse or bridge of the stock exchange . The Stock Exchange, created in 1640, moved to the square in 1724. Urbanization of the district during the second half of the 18C led to the construction of the palais de la Bourse or palace of the stock exchange in 1851, the railroad arrived in Nantes the Gare de la Bourse or stock exchange station was built nearby, at the eastern end of the Quai de la Fosse. The Bras de la Bourse, then leaves room for the current cours Franklin-Roosevelt.
The Heritage site of the City of Nantes on the Place du Commerce: https://patrimonia.nantes.fr/home/decouvrir/themes-et-quartiers/place-commerce.html
There you go folks, do visit Nantes,and its wonderful monuments. A must to visit while in the city ; see the Place du Commerce of Nantes !!! Again, hope you enjoy this post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 