When urban hostility is transformed into a plant island in the heart of the docks…
This vegetable garden, on the westernmost tip of Île de Nantes, was designed by architects Atelier Vecteur as an extension to the Cantine du Voyage. A wide variety of aromatic plants and extraordinary vegetables grow here with the aim of guaranteeing a diversity of flavours.
It can be visited and sometimes you can even go inside to chat with the resident market gardener and learn her tips and techniques. An intriguing artwork by artist Lilian Bourgeat stands at the entrance, adding a touch of fantasy.
On more than 1,000 m², including 600 m² of cultivated land, it produces several types of salad, the famous Chantenay carrots, runner beans, spaghetti squash, edible flowers , fruit and many herbs such as basil, chives, lemon balm and many others.
Since its installation on the Quai des Antilles in 2016, the Cantine’s vegetable garden has aroused curiosity. Many visitors to the Cantine or, more broadly, to the Parc des chantiers regularly ask the teams of market gardeners for more information about the crops and techniques used.
An exchange of know-how, knowledge and skills between the countryside and the city. Agriculture as a topical, social issue, which resonates strongly in the city of market gardening.
In 2022, in order to best respond to these requests, we have chosen to hire a gardener within Le Voyage à Nantes, Olga Barazer.
Born into a family of market gardeners, Olga studied design and worked in the digital sector before returning to the land to grow delicious vegetables. She will be present throughout the summer, three days a week, to care for, maintain and harvest the products of the garden while providing “cultural and vegetable” mediation in french for the public.
It’s in the Cantine !
Dring!
“Dring” (Dispositif Roulant Innovant Nantais et Gratuit) is the name of Nantes’ new (and free!) bike-shuttle service in Parc des Chantiers.
28 JUNE – 31 AUGUST 2025
Le Voyage à Nantes invites you to pedal across Parc des Chantiers, from the Machines de l’Île Naves to the grey Titan crane, at your own pace. You can ride around one area, two, or complete the full loop to enjoy a complete guided tour! Two seats in the back offer a comfortable ride for those unable to pedal.
NB: only two shuttles are in operation. Keep an eye out for them, stand at one of the six designated stops, then hop on for an adventure. The two six-seater shuttles will roam the park simultaneously every day from 2 PM to 7 PM.
Project in partnership with Studio Katra and Humbird.
Nantes is transforming
Nantes is changing to become an even more ecological, inclusive, and dynamic city. To do this, new public works will reinforce our already existing ecofriendly modes of transport: new tram lines, green zones for pedestrians and cyclists, and more. From 2024, these major urban projects will disrupt traffic around Les Machines de l’Île and Parc des Chantiers, with the Pont Anne-de-Bretagne bridge closed off to cars (the bridge will remain accessible to pedestrians and cyclists). Solutions will be offered throughout construction to make it easier for everyone to get around, like: increased frequency of several public transport lines, more Naolib bike-share bicycles, and more parking spots in park-and-ride lots.
For further information
La Cantine du Voyage, Quai des Antilles, Nantes
How to get there?
Public transport: Hangar à Bananes, Quai des Antilles, Salorges
Self-service bicycles: Antilles (n°104), Hangar À Bananes (n°105), Grue Jaune (n°103), Garennes (n°106)
Open today.
From april 17th 2025 to september 28th 2025
Access to garden: From 28 June to 31 August: daily, 5 – 7 PM
Guided tours in french: From 2 July to 31 August, Wednesdays at 10:30 AM. Booking
Independent tour: Until 28 June, and from 1 Sept.: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 AM – 9 PM
From 28 June to 31 August: daily, 10 AM – 9 PM
