Nantes

Nantes (näNt), city (1990 pop. 252,029), capital of Loire-Atlantique dept., W France, on the Loire River. It is an important industrial and shipping center with its ocean port at Saint-Nazaire. Recent renovations of the rail, road, and air transportation systems have contributed greatly to the area's economic development. Food products (especially biscuits), naval equipment, metals, dyes, clothing, bicycles, and agricultural equipment are the leading manufactures. The chief town of the Gallic tribe of the Namnetes, Nantes became an important trade and administrative center under the Romans. It was made an episcopal see in the 4th cent. Nantes was ravaged and held (843–936) by Norsemen and later (10th cent.) fell to the dukes of Brittany, who resided there until Brittany became part of France in 1524. During the French Revolution, Nantes was nearly stormed by royalist troops of the Vendée and was the scene of massacres by the revolutionaries in 1793. Nantes was a center of resistance to the German occupation in World War II, and its civilian population suffered ruthless reprisals. Points of interest include a 10th-century castle on the Loire, a 15th-century cathedral with tombs of dukes of Brittany, the Tower of Brittany, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The Univ. of Nantes (founded 1460) is one of the city's many educational facilities.

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Nantes

 Breton Naoned ancient Condivincum

City (pop., 1999: 270,251), northwestern France. Located on the Loire River, west of Tours, it derives its name from the Namnètes, a Gallic tribe settled there before the Romans conquered Gaul. The Huns, the Normans, and dukes of Brittany claimed it before it passed to France in 1499. It rallied to King Henry IV of France after he signed the Edict of Nantes in 1598. During the French Revolution its populace suffered many executions. Occupied by German troops in World War II, it was heavily damaged by Allied bombing; it was taken by U.S. troops in 1944. Rebuilt into a major economic centre, it has important industrial plants and shipbuilding yards. It also boasts a castle, a cathedral, a university, and an art museum.

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Nantes

1. a port in W France, at the head of the Loire estuary: scene of the signing of the Edict of Nantes and of the Noyades (drownings) during the French Revolution; extensive shipyards, and large metallurgical and food processing industries. Pop.: 270 251 (1999)

2. History See Edict of Nantes

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Nantes 

a port city in western France on the Atlantic at the head of the Loire River estuary. Capital of the department of Loire-Atlantique. Population, 259,000 (1968; including suburbs, 394,000).

With St. Nazaire and other subsidiary ports, Nantes handled 14 million tons of freight in 1973. Imports are petroleum, phosphorite, wood, sugar, oil plants, and oil cakes. The principal exports are petroleum products, machinery, grain, flour, and fertilizer. Foreign trade is mainly with the countries of Africa. There are many branches of machine building in Nantes, particularly the construction of ships and aircraft. Other industries include metallurgy, petroleum refining, food processing, chemicals, and paper. The city has a university, founded in 1962.