nants, a city of France. It is situated on the northern bank of the Loire, about forty miles from the Atlantic. A ship canal enables vessels of large size to reach the wharves. It is a well built city. Five miles of quays line the banks of the river. The city is laid out in squares. There are a number of notable public edifices, including the cathedral, the Church of St. Nicolas, the ducal castle, the law courts, city hall, an exchange, a museum of natural history, a picture gallery, a public library containing 100,000 volumes, and a hospital. There are important manufactures of woolen cloths, ship machinery, sails, cordage, ship biscuit, chemicals, glue, and machinery. There are also glass works and sugar refineries. Sardines are canned here in large quantities. The city carries on a considerable trade with the foreign possessions of France. Historically, Nantes is a place of importance. In 445 it marked the utmost westward limit of the Huns, and successfully withstood a siege of sixty days. It was taken by the Normans during their invasion of France. During the attempts of the English to conquer France Nantes was taken and retaken a number of times, suffering severely from fire. The famous Edict of Nantes was issued by Henry IV April 30, 1598. Until its repeal in 1685 it secured the Protestant Huguenots freedom of worship. Population (1906), 133,247, the ninth city in France. See HUGUENOTS.