The Loire estuary is full of contemporary spirit

The free and public exhibition on the banks of the river between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire is the biggest initiative of 'Le Voyage à Nantes'

Nantes, 07/06/12

Wild animals in the trees, houses sinking, ships that seem to slip the pier, skeletons of snakes on the beach ... A walk along the Loire estuary between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire it is enough to notice that something does not fit into the landscape. Small canals and paths leading to the river are the context that features the works of authors such as Jean-Luc Courcoult, Huang Yongping and Roman Signer, an outdoor exhibition that can be visited on foot, by bicycle or in a cruise.

This public exhibition, which celebrates its third edition in 2012, has already become a must for lovers of art. First sculptures became part of the landscape five years ago; now there are nearly thirty pieces in the area. This year the organisers have added 8 new works, among them La maison dans la Loire, by Courcoult, and L'Arbre lunaire by Mrzyk and Moriceau.

But the banks of the Loire are not the only spaces the artists have been altered, because the Estuaire Nantes is just one of the initiatives that have been organized to celebrate 'Le Voyage à Nantes '. Its director, Jean Blaise, has taken up literally every corner of the city with art, so it is not surprising that the traveler finds crystals-flyers –Superama– in the D'Ancin street, the fountain of the Place Royale is hidden under a Green scalable Mountain –Mont Royal(e) by Gerber de Jonc– or the ceilings of Lafayette galleries have changed their color -Suspens of Nantes by Cécile Bart-.

To these public spaces are also added dozens of museums, institutions and landmarks. They all have an unending list of proposals to attract new travelers and invite them to participate in a voyage that combines art, food and dance. The Castle of Dukes of Brittany and the tomb of François II in the Cathedral are some of the most classic proposals. The Hab Gallery with Roman Signer's 'experiments' or Le Grand Cafe, however, show the latest trends.

Le voyage to Nantes offers a varied and comprehensive programming. In the city center, on the Loire, outside, outdoors, in the landscapes ... The chances of finding a work of art in all these places is more than likely if you visit them before 19 August. Sol G. Moreno

  • Jean-Luc Courcoult. La maison dans la Loire. Estuaire Nantes.

  • National School of Architecture and Schoolf of Wood in Nantes. Superama, pier from the well. Nantes © Le Voyage à Nantes.

  • Mrzyk y Moriceau. L'Arbre Lunaire. Estuaire Nantes. 

  • Daniel Buren y Patrick Bouchain. he Rings. Estuaire Nantes, Saint-Nazaire 2007. © Jean-Dominique Billaud /Nautilus Nantes.

  • Observatorium. Wild called. Estuaire Nantes 2012.

  • Roman Signer. The pendulum. Estuaire Nantes, Saint-Nazaire 2012.

Jean-Luc Courcoult. La maison dans la Loire. Estuaire Nantes.