The important port and industrial town of St-Nazaire (pop. 66,100) lies at the mouth of the Loire. During World War II the town was almost completely destroyed. It is now the outer port of Nantes. From the viewing platform between the Bassin St- Nazaire and the Loire there are good views of the harbor and World War II submarine base. West of the
town, near the road to Guérande, is the prehistoric burial mound of Dissignac.
At the mouth of the Loire the river is spanned by a road bridge built between 1972 and 1975. 2.6km/1.5mi long and up to 61 m/200ft high, it is a fine example of modern functional architecture.
There is a beautiful view from the top of the bridge. 20km/12mi north is the Grande Brière nature reserve, an area of marshland and moorland which has been partly drained.
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