Travelling back in time: Rue Crébillon
Rue Crébillon was one of the first streets in Nantes with gas street lighting. Since the street was closed to traffic a few years ago, it is not that hard to imagine those bygone days. This shopping street is still a popular shopping destination with its pastry shops, jewellers and luxurious clothing brands. Here you will find labels such as Gérard Darel, Maje and Lacoste. Another exclusive shop is L’Artisan Parfumeur, which sells traditionally made perfumes. Half way down the street the Crébillon-Scribe Arcade begins, with trendy French fashion labels such as Isabelle Marant, LaFée Maraboutée and Stella Cadente.
A monumental shopping arcade
A side street off the Rue Crébillon leads to an even more famous shopping arcade: Passage Pommeraye. This 1843 shopping arcade has been declared a historic monument and resembles a theatre with its many banisters, pillars and a monumental wooden and wrought iron stairway. The 3 storeys are bathed in natural light that pours in through the large glass roof. The arcade exudes an old-fashioned charm with many traditional shops tucked away among modern boutiques that sell Hermès or L’Occitane. You may even stumble across an authentic stamp shop from the 1950s.
Brasserie La Cigale
Another Nantes landmark can be found at the end of Rue Crébillon, across from the opera on Place Graslin. This is where you find La Cigale, a brasserie with an opulent Belle Époque interior. Early morning customers enjoy café crème with croissants, and until late into the evening waiters carry out large trays full of oysters and other delicious seafood. A spectacular experience. This is the spot to sample some local white wines, and the menu lists dozens of different Muscadet wines.
