Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery

The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery in Nantes is a striking and somber underground space that commemorates the victims of the transatlantic slave trade and honors those who fought for abolition. As the largest memorial of its kind globally, it offers a profound experience through its minimalist design and evocative installations. Visitors walk along a long, dark corridor lined with 2,000 glass plaques bearing the names of slave ships that departed from Nantes, while the walls are inscribed with quotes from abolitionists and human rights advocates. The memorial also features a series of underground rooms that explore the history of slavery, the resistance movements, and the ongoing struggle for equality. It is a place for reflection and education, set along the Loire River at the former site of slave ship departures, making it deeply connected to Nantes's own history as a major slave port.

Don't miss

• Walk along the corridor of 2,000 glass plaques naming slave ships from Nantes.
• Read powerful quotes from abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and Aimé Césaire.
• Explore the underground exhibition rooms detailing the slave trade and resistance.
• Reflect at the 'Place des Annulations' (Square of the Annulments) above ground.
• See the memorial's location on the Quai de la Fosse, where slave ships once departed.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery

Cheapest way inNantes City Self-Guided Walking Tour with an APP4.6★ · 20 travelers2-3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$10 per personSee dates →Best full dayNantes Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour)4.3★ · 12 travelers2-8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$55 per personSee dates →