The Théâtre Graslin opened in 1788, burned down five years later, and was rebuilt. Eight Corinthian columns and eight muses on the roofline face a small sloping square that was laid out as a single architectural composition.
Beside it is La Cigale, a brasserie of 1895 whose interior is a listed riot of ceramic tile, mirror and mosaic — genuinely one of the most decorated rooms in the city.
The streets behind, towards the Rue Crébillon, are where Nantes does its serious shopping.
You can look into La Cigale without eating. It is worth doing even if you are not stopping.
Place Graslin & the Théâtre in pictures
