City breaks with kids: Nantes
(The Guardian Travel News)

This cycle-friendly city on the river Loire has family attractions galore, super street art and tasty food options for childreno In this series: Paris | Barcelona | Amsterdam | Berlin | London | RomeNot any more ... Nantes is a wonderland for kids and parents. The city, on the river Loire, has seen a cultural reinvention in the past 10 years and there´s easily enough to do to fill a week - or a few days en route south, as my family and I tend to do. The best place to start is the Île de Nantes, the creative hub of the city on an island in the river. Here, the masterminds at Les Machines de L´ile Nantes have created a steampunk playground where a robotic elephant carries passengers on its back (rides EUR8.50 adults, EUR6.90 children) and sprays water on bystanders. Nearby, a carousel inspired by Nantes native Jules Verne and his novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea whirls visitors around on mechanical masterpieces such as smoke-breathing dragons, flying fish and fearsome anglerfish (ride prices as above). It´s possible to tour the workshop and see future creations taking shape. Continue reading...