Notre dame des landes

Notre-Dame-des-Landes is a rural commune in the Loire-Atlantique department, roughly twenty kilometres north of Nantes. The area is characterised by the traditional bocage landscape of western France, featuring farmland, hedgerows and small woodlands. The commune became widely known for being at the centre, over several decades, of a controversial plan to relocate Nantes Atlantique airport, a project officially abandoned in 2018 following strong local opposition. This history has shaped part of the area's identity, reflecting a strong attachment to agriculture and to preserved natural spaces. The village itself remains modest, with local shops and a community life centred on farming, including livestock rearing and market gardening. Its proximity to Nantes provides easy access to urban amenities, public transport and the cultural attractions of the city, while still offering a peaceful, green setting. The surrounding countryside is well suited to walking and cycling, with several small villages nearby worth exploring in the wider Nantes region.