mémorial de l'abolition de l'esclavage

An elegant and honest memorial to Nantes' dark past as a key slave trade port - make sure you walk beneath the docks, the experience is reminiscent to being inside a slave trade ship hull, very moving.

The city of Nantes made much of its power and wealth during the 17th and 18th centuries from the dreadful trade of African slavery. The city authorities have bravely confronted this historical evil and built a moving and thought provoking memorial, both above and below ground on the banks of the Loire River in the centre of the city. From here, hundreds of sailing ships left for West Africa to buy slaves for later sale to the sugar plantations of the West Indies and the western coasts of North and South America. You will be shocked at the magnitude of the trade in human suffering. Combine this with a visit to the city museum in the Chateau Des Ducs De Bretagne nearby where you will learn in more detail of the awfulness of Slave Trade.

For those whose are interested with the subject, the will find a great variety of books and artefacts.

The only evidence of this from street level is a simple grey block wall near the river. Don't miss it because it doesn't take long to see and will be on your walking route anyway. You take steps down to an underground walkway in glass, wood and concrete, it's beautifully lit and you are at river level so can hear the water as you walk. Testaments from slaves, poetry and quotes from famous figures make this a moving experience. Very well designed. I think there was a lift for wheelchair access.

Our group of 25 were escorted by a guide from the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne otherwise it may have been difficult to find the memorial, much of which is below ground. Respect to the city of Nantes for their public declaration that the city was once at the centre of France's triangular slave trade. And that much of the city's historic wealth is derived from the trade. This is a great learning resource for the citizens of Nantes and visitors. The word Freedom appears on the Memorial's large glass panels in numerous languages. There are also a number of quotations from historic and contemporary figures such as Toussaint L'Ouverture, Frederick Douglas, Bob Marley, and Toni Morrison. It is a very sombre and informative experience rather than a tourist destination.

An understated and powerful exhibition of France's role in the triangular slave trade and its eventual abolition. I highly recommend visiting it.

In effect this exhibition is a history of the abolition of slavery. One could walk by it and not even realise what it's all about....there's a wealth of knowledge just underfoot because one can see as one walks along towards the exhibition all the names of the slave ships which came and went from Nantes. Then inside a longish sheltered area is the exhibition itself which follows through by date the contributions made by many countries and the battles fought by many people all over the world for the abolition of slavery and I was amazed at how many people were fighting against it over the last two hundred years. How can one say one enjoyed such a thing? However I walked away amazed and understood the whole subject in quite a different light.

In French and English - every voyage from Nantes taking slaves is recorded in an illuminated brick in the pavement, then you go into a tunnel space and read the history. It does actually make you feel quite ill to think of the thousands who died in the transports and then more who died in slavery. A really worthwhile tribute.

From the Chateau, you can take a walk and read signs along the way to the memorial. The Memorial is actually underground, with information to read and spots where you need to look out to see the water. Above ground, there are glass inserts in the pavement with the names of slave ships who sailed from Nantes. The Chateau has a good section on the slave trade, too. Very worthwhile.

Bien conçu avec des citations et des témoignages judicieusement choisis et mis en valeur, une piqure de rappel bien venue qui fait se remémorer et comprendre la quantité de souffrances humaines sur lesquelles se sont établies les richesses des armateurs et négriers aux siècles passés

Nel passato di Nantes c'è una florida economia basata sul commercio marittimo, anche su quello di uomini. Lo schiavismo era una grande fonte di guadagno per la città e questo luogo serve ai suoi cittadini per non dimenticare e per conoscere le nefandezze commesse da chi li ha preceduti per inseguire il guadagno.

Le Mémorial de l'Abolition de l'Esclavage est très intéressant sur le principe en raison du caractère histoire. L'architecture est plutôt intéressante avec cette visite en sous sol presque au niveau de la Loire mais l'ambiance est vraiment austère. Certain pourront dire que cela va avec le caractère humain de la traite des noirs mais selon moi pour que cela marque les gens il faut un peu de dynamisme et de la chaleur humaine ce que malheureusement ce site n'offre pas. Ce lieu devrait passer de l'émotion mais je ne retiens que la froideur du lieu. Je n'y retournerai pas

Le sujet mérite plus bel endroiton n'y ressent rien de la misère et l'ignominie à part que c'est très sombre et qu'on y voit pas bien pour s'attarder

Une ambiance un peu dérangeante ( mise en scène qui donne l impression d'être dans le pont inférieur d un bateau) pour une part de l histoire que il ne faut pas oublier! Nous étions, hélas, seuls à visiter ce lieu un samedi après-midi, malgré la gratuité.

Je trouve que cette visite est importante à faire pour ne pas oublier tout simplement. Le mémorial de l'abolition de l'esclavage est devenu un monument incontournable de la ville.