a port in W France, at the head of the Loire estuary: scene of the signing of the Edict of Nantes and of the Noyades (drownings) during the French Revolution; extensive shipyards, and large metallurgical and food processing industries. Pop: 290 871 (2006)
2. history Edict of Nantes
Nantes in American English
(nɑ̃t; E nɑnts; nænts)
city in W France, on the Loire River: pop. 245,000