Île Feydeau
Once a merchants' island in the Loire, its 18th-century shipowners' mansions are famous for grotesque face carvings on their facades, and Jules Verne was born here.
Île Feydeau was originally a small island in the Loire. In the 20th century the river arm was filled in, and it became joined to the city. In the 18th century, wealthy shipowners and merchants built mansions here, their facades decorated with grotesque human-face carvings and wrought-iron balconies. Because of ground subsidence, many buildings lean noticeably, creating a striking streetscape. Jules Verne was born at 4 Rue Clisson on the island. It is only a few minutes' walk south of the Bouffay district and well worth a detour.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Place Royale
- Bouffay Quarter
- Basilique Saint-Nicolas
- Passage Pommeraye
- Tour Bretagne – Le Nid
- La Cigale
- Château des Ducs de Bretagne
- Nantes Cathedral