Nantes cobbles are reclaimed natural stone cobbles made from a mixture of sandstone and granite cobbles in different formats. They have a beautiful patina and a magnificent blend of colours. Renovating a courtyard or roadway with Nantais cobblestones gives the area a real identity.
Nantes cobbles, also known as King’s cobbles
Old reclaimed Nantes cobblestones can be found mainly in the West of France, particularly in the Loire-Atlantique region. In Nantes, the former Miséry quarry produced tens of thousands of granite paving stones for the city’s public works department*. These recycled cobblestones are also found in other regions under the name of “pavés du Roi”, King’s cobbles. They are highly sought-after for their authenticity and aesthetic appeal.
Noblema’s King’s cobbles or Nantes cobbles were used to create the extraordinary garden in Nantes (44) “Jardin extraordinaire de Nantes” in the former Miséry quarry and in the surrounding streets.
➡️ Read our article abour our King’s cobbles at the heart of an exceptional redevelopment in Nantes.
Characteristics of Nantes cobblestones
Nantes cobblestones come in a variety of mixed formats:
14x14x14 cm;
14x20x14 cm;
18x18x18 cm.
The cobbles are very colourful, with a mixture of grey, bronze, beige, pink and ochre. This is due to the presence of sandstone pavers (grey, ochre, beige) and granite pavers (bronze, pink).
How to use Nantais cobblestones
Cobbles and cobblestones can be used to renovate a courtyard, a public square or a pathway in a landscaped park. At 15 to 18 cm in hight, they can be used to create borders between a lawn and a gravel path, or for flower beds. Nantes whole cobbles, measuring 15 cm in hight, can also be used as steps.
These French Nantes cobbles can be sawn to create a completely smooth, non-slip surface. The paving stone’s perfect flatness allows access for PRMs (People with Reduced Mobility) and makes walking more comfortable for users, while retaining its authenticity. Environmentally-friendly, sawn Nantes cobblestones make it easy to create gutters to allow water to run off unimpeded, or to create dividing and decorative lines in tarmac or deactivated concrete. As you can see, Nantes recycled paving stones leave plenty of scope for imaginative landscaping!
How do you lay Nantes cobblestones or King’s cobblestones?
Nantes pavers are laid on a thin mortar made from 0/4 sand and cement. The joints are made with a thin mortar (almost liquid) composed of fine 0/2 sand and cement.
Discover our French Nantes cobblestones for sales
Noblema offers Nantes reclaimed setts under the name King’s cobbles, which you can discover on our website, in our online catalogue or in our landscaped garden at Drumettaz-Clarafond in Savoie. Contact us for advice, prices and delivery information.
*Source: Ouest-France/Nantes. Heritage. Carrière Miséry, the matrix of Nantes cobblestones
