Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Nantes, pedestrians and bicycles circulate freely -

Clara Le Nagard / 20 Minutes

  • The city of Nantes has decided to extend the pedestrianization of fifteen streets until January 31, 2021.

  • The majority of residents questioned are in favor of this measure.

  • Olivier Dardé, president of the association of traders, evokes the idea of ​​a completely pedestrian city center after 7 p.m. to reclaim the space.

Rue d'Allonville, near the Jardin des Plantes, residents stroll, cyclists take advantage of the enlarged space and two women discuss on a newly installed bench.

In this end of rue de Nantes, as in fifteen others, the pedestrianization in force since the deconfinement will continue until January 31, 2021, the town hall has just announced.

A decision that allowed temporary arrangements as part of the pedestrian plan.

And that seems validated by city dwellers.

“I am a bicycle user, so obviously for me it's great,” says Anthony.

There are fewer car passages, even in parallel streets because people now avoid passing by there.

"Albane, who has just moved into the neighborhood is also satisfied:" It's something positive.

Of course, that's bad news for traffic, but it's good for peace of mind.

"

"It oxygenates a little"

The Nantes experiment, following the request of traders, allowed residents to reclaim the space.

“It was very friendly this summer,” says Claudine, a retiree.

When I passed the People cafe on the corner, there were people on the terrace, it was nice!

I find it oxygenates a bit.

»His friend Catherine who accompanies him is a little more skeptical.

“Honestly I find it a little twisted.

Personally, it doesn't bother me more than that but you really have to think about it when you move around.

"

Rue d'Allonville in Nantes - Clara Le Nagard / 20 Minutes

The rue d'Allonville is far from being the only street in Nantes to which access is prohibited for cars.

This did not escape Danielle, crossing rue Armand Brossard, near the Cours des 50 Otages.

“My friends from Nantes tell me that it is becoming more and more complicated to move around…, admits this woman, originally from Finistère.

Afterwards, when I go shopping, when I go for a walk, it's sure to be fun!

Just next door, rue Léon Blum and rue Saint-Léonard are also concerned.

"A city center before and after 7 p.m."

Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, where blue patterns color the tar and garlands twirl in the sky, the atmosphere has completely changed.

What makes traders business.

"The fact of pedestrianizing the street has brought people back," says Julien, a salesperson alternating with Hugo Boss.

Thanks to this, customers even discovered the store.

There were also quite a few tourists this summer and that had a positive impact on our turnover.

"

To the point of making this pedestrianization definitive?

“Pedestrianization is the strength of downtown Nantes,” says Olivier Dardé, president of the Plein center merchant association.

We have lived through very hard times economically and the extension of the terraces [extended until the end of November] made possible thanks to this pedestrianization has become vital.

"To the criticisms concerning the traffic problems, Olivier Dardé has a solution:" One could imagine a city center before and after 7 pm.

Before, cars and buses would circulate normally and at 7 p.m., we would organize completely pedestrian festive areas to appropriate the center.

"

The city will evaluate the device and the follow-up to be given.

  • Bike

  • Tradespeople

  • Restaurant

  • Pedestrians

  • Downtown

  • Nantes