The banks of River Erdre

You now have a beautiful panoramic view on river Edre. François 1st, adored the view so much that he called it the most beautiful river in France. River Erdre is a tributary of the Loire, which borders numerous manors, parks and castles, as well as what are known as pleasure palaces; bourgeois holiday homes used for private receptions. The Erdre is an integral part of the Nantais landscape, and its banks offer a lovely, oxygenated stroll along the well-equipped quays where barges are moored. Should you wish to explore a little further, you can hire a canoe or an electric boat, or even take a river cruise. A few kilometres from Nantes, in the middle of the Loire, stands a strange 19th-century house that seems to have poped out of nowhere. It was designed by Jean-Luc Courcoult, founder of the famous Royal de Luxe, Nantes' impressive street theatre company. If you'd like to be carried away by the strangeness of this show, head for the pier on Emile Paraf Quay, 200 m from Tour à Plomb in Couëron.