Clisson & Château de Clisson
Clisson
An Italian-style town southeast of Nantes, where medieval castle ruins overlook the Sèvre River, surrounded by the Muscadet wine region.
Clisson lies about 30 kilometres southeast of Nantes. The ruins of its 13th- to 15th-century castle perch on the riverbank, and you can climb the walls for views over the town. In the 19th century the town was rebuilt in a Tuscan style; its red-tiled roofs, Italianate villas and bridges have earned it the nickname 'the Italy of Brittany'. Next door, the Garenne-Lemot estate features an Italian-style garden. The surrounding area is the Muscadet white wine region, so you can drop in on a winery along the way. From Nantes it takes about 20 minutes by train, and castle admission is about €5.
Opening hours
Castle about 10:00–18:00 (closed Tue; shorter hours in winter)
Nearby sights
- Jardin des Plantes de Nantes
- Le Lieu Unique
- Musée d'Arts de Nantes
- Château des Ducs de Bretagne
- Nantes Cathedral
- Bouffay Quarter
- Île Feydeau
- Place Royale