Nantes

Nantes, the capital of the Loire-Atlantique department in western France, is consistently voted the most pleasant city in France to live in — a title earned through its extraordinary cultural ambition, green urban planning and an approach to public art and imagination that has made it one of Europe's most joyful cities. The city sits at the confluence of the Loire and Erdre rivers, once the capital of the Duchy of Brittany. The Machines de l'Île — mechanical creatures inspired by Jules Verne (who was born in Nantes) and Leonardo da Vinci, installed in a former shipyard on the Île de Nantes — are unlike anything else in the world. The Giant Elephant, a 12-metre walking mechanical elephant carrying passengers, is the centrepiece. The Château des Ducs de Bretagne, a magnificent 15th-century ducal palace, has been brilliantly converted into the city history museum. The Musée d'Arts de Nantes, recently renovated, is excellent. The Passage Pommeraye, a stunning 19th-century three-level shopping arcade, is one of France's finest. The Île de Nantes is being developed into a laboratory for sustainable urban architecture. Nantes has excellent restaurants drawing on the Loire Valley's exceptional produce, the Atlantic coast's seafood and a strong independent restaurant culture. The Vignes du Bout du Monde wine cooperative produces Loire Valley wines. It is also the starting point for the Loire à Vélo cycling route.