{"id":37208,"date":"2022-03-02T12:45:15","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T11:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.levoyageanantes.fr\/quartier-feydeau\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T13:45:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T11:45:35","slug":"feydeau-district","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.levoyageanantes.fr\/en\/to-see\/the-endless-journey\/the-districts-of-nantes\/feydeau-district\/","title":{"rendered":"Feydeau district"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feydeau is an island in the heart of the city \u2014 a status this neighbourhood once claimed before being annexed into Nantes, along with another former island, l\u2019\u00cele Gloriette. In spite of this, it has kept the contours of an urban islet, thanks to its untouched 18th<\/sup> century style architecture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Even though Feydeau has ceased to be an actual island since the arms of the Loire around it were filled between 1926 and 1946, this neighbourhood\u2019s particular atmosphere makes it a place unlike any other. Just take a step, a stroll, or watch the passersby click their heels on the cobblestones of Rue Kerv\u00e9gan (the island\u2019s main avenue) and you\u2019ll instantly feel it: this strange sensation of being elsewhere. Even though the constant hustle and bustle of the city is right next-door, this feeling is palpable in every corner of Feydeau. The restaurant and bistro owners, along with the businesses and neighbourhood locals, also speak of \u201cun village Feydeau\u201d… When night falls, the surrounding mood only confirms that feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this timeless ambiance \u2014 one that invites you to daydream while stretched out on the grass in the first rays of spring or summer sun \u2014 the history of this neighbourhood has strong historical ties the Atlantic slave trade. The massive buildings recall the opulent lives of the ship-owners who struck it rich during the maritime trade of the 18th<\/sup> century. Through their splendour, these homes illustrate the magnitude of Nantes\u2019 past as a commercial hub. From the 16th<\/sup> to the 19th<\/sup> century, two major sources of wealth guaranteed the city\u2019s opulence: Africa and America. The ships that were built and equipped here ensured the the trips between the port of Nantes, France\u2019s then-biggest port, the Guinean coast, and the West Indies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feydeau is a neighbourhood one should discover looking up \u2013 but also always looking back at yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So as to never forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Atlantic slave trade district<\/h2>

This district contains the former mansions of slave ship owners. Proof of how prosperous this activity was for Nantes, France\u2019s largest slave port in the 18th century.<\/p>\n

Fa\u00e7ades of distinction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Temple du go\u00fbt 16, all\u00e9e Duguay-Trouin
\nBuilt in 1750 by the ship merchant Guillaume Grou, this fa\u00e7ade has a central doorway and high arched windows with three balconies, all decorated with beautiful wrought ironwork growing increasingly narrow as they ascend.<\/p>\n

Immeuble Perraudeau 13, all\u00e9e Turenne
\nThis building has a triangular pediment and three grand centered arches letting light inside the ground floor spaces. The first floor is decorated with a balcony set on a console.<\/p>\n

H\u00f4tel de la Villestreux 3, place de la Petite-Hollande
\nOne of the island\u2019s oldest and largest buildings has 108 windows and doors. It was built on two plots and is the only one with a gateway for vehicles.<\/p>\n

H\u00f4tel Grou 2, place de la Petite-Hollande
\nRemarkably decorated with stone masks. You will easily recognise Neptune surrounded by the four elements: earth, air, fire and water.<\/p>\n

Balconies<\/strong>
\nAll\u00e9e Turenne: nos\u00a03, 8, 9, 10, 11
\nPlace de la Petite-Hollande: nos\u00a01, 2, 3
\nRue Kerv\u00e9gan: nos\u00a09, 18, 30
\nAll\u00e9e Duguay-Trouin: nos\u00a08, 9, 10, 15, 16<\/p>\n

Mascarons
\n<\/strong>All\u00e9e Turenne: nos<\/sup>\u00a03, 8, 9, 10 et 10 bis, 11, 13
\nPlace de la Petite-Hollande: nos<\/sup>\u00a02, 3
\nRue Kerv\u00e9gan: nos<\/sup>\u00a09, 13, 28<\/p>\n

\u201cMascarons\u201d are stone door or window ornaments sometimes portraying wild or hideous faces. The island seems to have been particularly inspired by colonial maritime trade and the mythological: spirits of the sea, bearded winds, haloes of shells, a figure in a crown of stone…<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\t\n\t