Île de Versailles at a glance
Located on the Erdre, a tributary of the Loire, in the center of Nantes, the man-made Île de Versailles is a standout among the city green spaces. Created in 1831 during the excavation of the canal between Nantes and Brest, it took nearly two centuries for this 1.7-hectare site to be transformed into the Japanese garden you see today. It is a quiet spot for a walk, offering an unexpected aesthetic shift and a calm atmosphere.
The island originally hosted industrial activities requiring constant water access, such as laundries and tanneries. It held various names over the years, including Marais de Barbin, Île Le Gall, and Île aux Singes, before finally adopting the name Île de Versailles, taken from the neighboring estate.
Inaugurated in 1987 by Mayor Michel Chauty, an admirer of Japan, the garden is centered around two traditional Japanese structures. One is the Maison de l'Erdre (House of the Erdre), which hosts temporary exhibits focused on the river and its aquatic environment, alongside a small tea pavilion. A harbor master's office completes the site. You will find cherry trees blooming in the spring and maples turning deep red in the autumn, allowing visitors to track the changing seasons in a carefully manicured green space. The pines are pruned in cloud formations, and koi carp populate the ponds. If you have time, you can rent an electric boat or a canoe. A sunset ride on the Erdre is a highlight.
Right in the heart of the city, the Île de Versailles lets you leave the noise and pollution behind to recharge. Even though it is artificial, it is still really pleasant. As a local from Nantes, I love visiting this pretty garden to just stroll around in the quiet.