Strolling around Saint-Nazaire

Park in the theatre car park (just north of the theatre) or in one of the other free car parks nearby. The walk starts at the theatre.

(S/E) With the theatre on your right, head east to Boulevard Paul Leferme. Follow the boulevard to the right, passing in front of the large Escal'Atlantique bunker. At the end of the bunker, turn left to reach the edge of the Bassin de Saint-Nazaire.

(1) Continue to the right, at the end of the basin, cross the bascule bridge and, on the other side, turn left, with the basin on your left, towards the Fortified Lock. Take a footbridge to reach the Fortified Lock bunker, which houses the Espadon Submarine Museum and the Wind Energy Centre. Turn right along the bunker to find the museum entrance and the stairs leading to the panoramic terrace (free access).

(2) Descend from the terrace, retrace your steps for about 50 metres and cross the footbridge again. Immediately afterwards, turn left and follow the edge of the estuary southwards. Pass the "À l'Abolition de l'Esclavage" monument and the shelter pier (you may wish to continue to the marker at the end of it).

(3) Continue along the estuary to the start of the Quai des Marées pier.

(4) Turn right, taking a hairpin bend, onto Rue Joseph Hippolyte Durand (you can go to the end of the pier and back, but this is not included in this itinerary). Arrive at the old pumping station. Continue straight ahead to cross the South Downstream Lock Bridge. On the other side, turn left, go around the Harbour Master's Office on the left and arrive at the start of the West Pier. Note the sculptures "The Foot, the Sweater and the Digestive System".

(5) We chose to walk to the end of the pier, as indicated on the trail, and then back again.

(6) At the end of the pier, retrace your steps.

(5) Continue west along the beach, taking the promenade that runs alongside Boulevard de Verdun and then Boulevard du Président Wilson. Note some beautiful mansions that escaped Allied bombing during the Second World War.

(7) Pass the American Monument and continue along the promenade, leaving the Jardin des Plantes on your right.

(8) Just after passing the Collège Saint-Louis on your right, leave the promenade along the estuary, turn right to cross Boulevard Albert^1er and enter the Parc Paysager. Cross two streets to reach the pond (or visit it at your leisure). Then retrace your steps, keeping to the left after crossing Rue Auguste Chenevaux again. Look for the second street on the left, Rue Désirée Tartoué, and take it. Turn right onto Rue Pierre Curie, then left onto Rue de Pornichet, and you will arrive at an entrance to the Jardin des Plantes.

(9) Visit this small park at your leisure and exit through the same gate. Continue to the right and stay on Rue de Pornichet (with some beautiful residences) until you reach the intersection with Avenue Léon Blum. Follow this avenue to the left and you will arrive at the Town Hall.

(10) Keep left in front of the Town Hall, then turn right into the small park and go straight ahead onto Avenue de la République (the main shopping street). Follow it until the intersection with Rue de la Paix et des Arts. Turn right and continue straight ahead to reach the Le Ruban Bleu shopping centre.

(11) Cross this complex straight ahead and you will arrive at Rue Henri Gautier. Turn left, then right onto Rue des Frères Péreire, at the corner of the theatre. Turn left to cross the theatre courtyard and reach the car park (S/E).

Urban hike, comfortable shoes are sufficient.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

Museums:
Escal'Atlantique, the adventure of legendary ocean liners.
EOL Wind Farm Centre, a visit in the wind.
The Espadon submarine
Information about the submarine base here.
Monument to the Abolition of Slavery.