Resuming part 2 of our green amble, passing the 15th century Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul
and by all that remains of Nantes city wall at St. Peter's Gate,
we reached the River Erdre.
The river links to the 238 mile Brest canal which Nepolean had built in the early 19th century when the British blockaded the two ports.
The Japanese Garden housed on an artificial island
was created in 1983. Nantes is twinned with Niigata in Japan which is also crossed by a big river
Timely, we passed this drawing which explained a thing or two about the city centre layout, it being so open. The four islands on the right are now all one and the two on the left are part of the 'main land'. Back then Nantes port was situated on the left branch of the river. (Tap the image to see a sharper photo. The Ile de Versailles is where the Japanese Garden is.)
Jules was born here in 1828 and is known as being the father of science fiction, with his books including Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
Passing the Brasillica of St Nicholas
to spot the hand supporting a drunken tree
and chance upon gatherings in the re-purposed castle moat
we ended of our self made green line amble.
