The banks of River Erdre

The banks of the Erdre, the finest river in France

The Nantes audio-guided tour offers you a fine panorama over the Erdre. Francis I adored it and called it the finest river in France. A tributary of the Loire, the Erdre is an integral part of the Nantes landscape and offers, along its laid-out banks, a most pleasant walk.

A river of manors and follies

The Erdre is lined with many manors, parks and châteaux, as well as what are called follies: fine bourgeois holiday houses, which once served for private receptions. This heritage, inherited from Nantes prosperity, gives the river a particular charm. Its well-laid-out quays, where the barges sleep, invite strolling and breathing, a stone's throw from the bustle of the city centre.

What there is to see

The banks of the Erdre offer a fine, refreshing walk along peaceful quays. To go further, you can rent a canoe or an electric boat, or enjoy a cruise on the river. A few kilometres from Nantes, in the middle of the Loire, also stands a strange nineteenth-century house seeming to rise from the waters: a work by Jean-Luc Courcoult, founder of the famous street theatre troupe Royal de Luxe.

Practical information

The banks of the Erdre can be discovered to the north of central Nantes, along laid-out quays. The promenade is freely accessible at all hours and on the level. The canoe or electric boat rentals and the cruises follow their own hours and conditions, depending on the operators and the season.

Why is the Erdre famous?

King Francis I is said to have called it the finest river in France; lined with manors and follies, it offers fine walks along the water.

What can you do on the Erdre?

Walk along the laid-out banks, rent a canoe or an electric boat, or enjoy a cruise on the river.