The invention relates to a method for producing a support comprising nanoparticles (22) for the growth of nanostructures (23), said nanoparticles being organised periodically, the method being characterised in that it comprises the following steps: providing a support comprising, in the vicinity of one of its surfaces, a periodic array of crystal defects and/or stress fields (18), depositing, on said surface, a continuous layer (20) of a first material capable of catalysing the nanostructure growth reaction, fractionating the first material layer (20) by a heat treatment so as to form the first material nanoparticles (22).