The LU Tower in Nantes, remnants of former biscuit factories

Housed in the former LU biscuit factory since the 1st January 2000, the ‘Lieu Unique’ is a friendly, cultural melting pot, ripe for artistic exploration. Renovated by the architect Patrick Bouchain, LU is a place of coming together. In addition to its own dedicated creative spaces it is also home to a number of retail activities including: a bar, a restaurant, a Turkish bath, a nursery.… and the LU Tower which offers breathtaking views of the city and the rooftops of the Lieu Unique.

Built in 1909, the LU Tower was an advertising totem erected to the glory of the LU biscuit brand. The celebrated biscuit box is 38 metres high and sits above an allegorical sculpture of Pheme and six signs of the Zodiac. Orphan to her twin tower, lost in 1974, the LU tower was restored to its exact original when the factory was reconverted into a national arts venue.
The tour offers an ascent through the building – from the ground floor to the dome – to discover the major parts of the history of the venue: from its creation in the 19th century to the present-day Lieu Unique as we know it. It combines archive images, posters, photos of shows, video interviews, and a dizzying retrospective of over 20 years of programming at Le Lieu Unique.