The memorial to the abolition of slavery, whose inauguration will take place on 1 December 2011, aims to promote new trade fair and balanced, between Africa, America and Europe.

A little history

You should know that Nantes is a former capital of the slave trade. The city of Nantes has based part of his wealth, from the 17th to mid 19th century to its status as the leading slave port in France.

So for more than three centuries as ships began heading to Africa to exchange their goods against millions of slaves then sold on the American continent.


An urban and political

At the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in 1998, the City Council of Nantes adopted the principle of building a monument on the Quai de la Fosse. A steering committee, comprising elected officials, experts and citizens, members of the collective for the commemoration, including some previously implicated in the manifestation of "Chains of Memory" following this project since 2001.

After a long period of debate and exchange, he proposed to retain the draft of the artist Krzysztof Wodiczko. This artist has designed a memorial to Nantes designed as a meditative path on the Quai de la Fosse, docking point for ships going up the triangular trade of Paimboeuf.

This Memorial beyond history and Nantes will send a strong message of solidarity and fraternity for future generations.


A meditative journey

The course memorial will be inaugurated on 1 December 2011, is inserted between the bridge and the Pont Victor Schoelcher Anne of Brittany, opposite the Palace of Justice. On this pedestrian esplanade, about 2000 plaques shipments arranged by French slave trade.

Access by stairs or elevator, a passage under the wharf, protected from flooding along the plates of glass on which are inscribed with texts relating to the abolition of slavery. An exhibition of about 40 m² will be built underground.