EXCURSION 1: ANGERS - Rives de Maine: Innovative Landscape Experiences in the Heart of Angers

The Maine River and its banks are envisioned as a link between the two natural spaces upstream and downstream, but also as a grand chain of representative collective spaces. These shorelines cannot be frozen into a single boundary between land and water. Several longitudinal lines embody this coexistence: banks, vegetation embankments, riprap, high and low quays, tree lines, paths, building fronts, etc.

This perception is embodied in a broad plan of intentions and specific projects that guide the shaping of the new banks in the very heart of the historic center and the expansion of the city center into neglected areas.

Price per person: 130 euros (VAT included)

Programme :

• 8h30 : Departure from Nantes by bus (Meeting point Cité des Congrès)

• 10h15 : Visit to Promenade du Bout du Monde

• 11h00 : Short visit to Angers Castle

• 12h15 : Lunch

• 13h45 : Visit to the square in front of Saint-Maurice Cathedral

• 14h15 : Visit to Operation Cœur de Maine – Mail Poissonnerie

• 15h00 : Visit to the Promenade de la Reculée

• 16h00 : Visit to Parc Saint-Serge

• 17h15 : Visit to Parc des Ardoisières

• 18h00 : Departure from Angers for Nantes

• 19h15 : Arrival in Nantes

EXCURSION 3: MORBIHAN - Between land and sea: From the land and forest of Arthurian legends to the Gulf of Morbihan, “one of the most beautiful bays in the world.”

Visit the Ducal city of Ploërmel at the gates of the legendary Forest of Brocéliande, where a comprehensive urban renewal project has been implemented. After a long walk down to the Gulf of Morbihan and the ocean at the foot of the medieval castle of Suscinio, discover the coastline at the tip of Penvins.

Price per person: 130 euros (VAT included)

Programme :

• 8h30 : Departure from Nantes by bus (Meeting point Cité des Congrès)

• 10h30 : Arrival in Ploërmel

• 10h45 : Introduction to Ploërmel 2035 and tour of projects

• 12h00 : Lunch

• 15h00 : Presentation of the Morbihan Gulf Regional Nature Park

• 15h30 : Tour of the Domaine de Suscinio

• 16h45 : Tour of the Pointe de Penvins development and renaturation project

• 17h45 : Departure from Penvins for Nantes

• 19h15 : Return to Nantes

EXCURSION 5: VILLANDRY - At the confluence of the Cher and Loire rivers, the gardens of Villandry Castle

To explore the gardens of Villandry is to explore the stylistic library of French garden art, from the mediaeval garden to the Renaissance garden, the garden “à la française” to contemporary garden design.

The gardens have been redesigned by Joachim Carvallo, who, having restored the Renaissance-style château to its former glory, is implementing his plan to give it a spectacular green setting. Seven gardens, organised according to the classification established by Joachim himself – kitchen garden and orchard, ornamental garden and water garden – have been born out of this monumental enterprise: the Ornamental Kitchen Garden, the Love Garden and the Garden of the Crosses, the Music Room, the Herb Garden, the Maze, the Sun Garden and the Water Garden

Price per person: 160 euros (VAT included)

Programme :

• 8h30 : Departure from Nantes by bus (Meeting point Cité des Congrès)

• 10h45 : Arrival at Villandry Castle

• 11h00 : Welcome/break with a glass of wine or coffee at La Doulce Terrasse

• 11h30 : Tour of Villandry Park

• 13h00 : Lunch

• 14h30 : Tour of Villandry Castle

• 15h45 : Departure

• 17h45 : Return to Nantes

EXCURSION 6 : ANNE DE BRETAGNE BRIDGE

Come see how an iconic bridge is becoming a garden in the sky, right above the Loire !

The future Anne-de-Bretagne Bridge will be far more than a simple river crossing — it will create a shared public space where trams, cars, cyclists, and pedestrians come together. Designed as a green and walkable link, it will seamlessly connect the historic city centre with the Île de Nantes. Construction began this year, with completion scheduled for late 2027. The existing bridge will be transformed and paired with a second structure, tripling its width from 18 to 53 metres and making it one of the largest urban bridges in France and Europe. Around 1,800 m² of planted areas will turn it into a verdant promenade — a peaceful place to stroll, relax, and take in views of the river. Integrated into the city’s wider urban projects, the bridge will extend Nantes’ riverside path from Bas-Chantenay to the western tip of the island. More than just a bridge, it represents a new way to experience the Loire.

Price per person: Free (registration required)

Programme :

• 9:30 : Welcome at the construction site base

• 9:35 : Presentation of the project’s origins and programme by Nantes Métropole – project owner

• 9:50 : Presentation of the architectural design by Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes

• 10:05 : Presentation of the landscape design by Ateliers UP+ of SCE

• 10:20 : Presentation of the construction process – GTM

• 10:40 : Site visit – GTM, NM, DFA

• 11:00 : End of the visit