NANTES (and. or E:annetes), an important seaport t. of France, capital of the department of Loire-Infe•ieure, is situated on the Hait batik of the Loire, 30 m. from its mouth, and at a point of confluence with it of the Erilre and the Sevre-Nantaise, both navigable streams. Besides roilways, there is communication with the interior by steamers on the Loire. The natural beauties of the site have been much improved by art, and now, the noble river on which the town is placed, covered with craft of every size and description, the islands that stud its channel, the meadows that skirt its banks, and the bridges (upwards of 16 in number) that cross it and its tributaries here, combine to make the scene a highly picturesque one. Nantes contains numerous squares and churches. Several districts of the town are nearly as fine as the best districts of Paris, the old town having been pulled down between 1865 and 1870. This town possesses numerous striking and beautiful buildings; among which the cathedral of St. Pierre, containing the splendid monument of Francis II., the last duke of Bretagne, and of Ma• guerite, his wife; and the old castle, the temporary residence of most of the kings of France since Charles VIII., and built in 938, are the chief. There is a public library containing 50,000 vols.; a museum of paintings; and a museum of natural history. The
quays, lined on one side with houses, and in some cases planted with trees, afford art agreeable and interesting promenade of about 2 m. in length. The most beautiful promenade, however, formed by the Coors St. Pierre and the Coors St. Andre, extends from the Erdre to the Loire. It is planted with four rows of trees, bordered with lines of palatial houses, and ornamented with statues. The harbor, 1968 yards in length, is capable of accommodating. iiiJivards of 200. vessels. FormLrlyavcaselebf no more than 200 tons could reach the port, all vessels of greater burden unloading at Pahnbceuf, at the mouth of the river; but withi? recent years, much has been done by dredging for the improvement of the river-bed, and large vessels can now reach the harbor. The chief manufactures of Nantes are varieties of linen and cotton fabrics, calicoes, flannels; musi cal, mathematical, end optical instruments; refined sugar and salt, chemical products, cordage, etc. It contains tan-yards, copper foundries, brandy distilleries, etc., and numerous establishments engaged in the various manufactures to which a port gives rise, as ship-building, the preparation of preserved meats, etc. In 1872 the imports of 'Nan tes were %Mato at 70,0O0,0J0 of francs, the exports at 55,000,000. Pop. '76, 116,093.