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Last Updated: Aug 17th, 2009 - 19:02:51 |
This year's Rugby World Cup has already seen thousands of fans head over to France to both cheer on their team and enjoy a long end-of-summer weekend.
Though all eyes may be on the capital city of Paris, where the host nation will be playing all games, the tournament's organisers mean that a number of France's more overlooked cities are getting their moment in the spotlight, not least Nantes on the west coast.
Dubbed the 'Venice of the West' as a result of its numerous canals and waterways as well as being named the greenest city in France and described by Time magazine as being "the most liveable city in all of Europe", Nantes makes the perfect getaway for a short break.
Dominating the centre of the city is the stunning Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, dating back to the 15th century, with work carrying on for more than 300 years.
As with the Basillica of St Louis and the nearby Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, the cathedral highlights the fact that for centuries Nantes was the most important city of the historic province of Brittany, being both the commercial and cultural hub.
Once the rugby crowds have caught the last train home, the cobbled streets of the old city centre are charmingly peaceful though the serenity soon gives way to a bustling nightlife driven by a large student population and thriving local arts scene.
Call Global Holidays for cheap flights to Paris
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