nantes travel blog

How to Spend a Weekend in Nantes Travel Itinerary

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 3rd March 2023

Categories France , Itineraries

Last Updated on 3rd March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Located in Western France, on the fringes of Brittany and not far from the Western coastline, the French city of Nantes is not only one of the largest in France, but also one of the most overlooked. Here’s an itinerary for an incredible weekend in Nantes .

Home to a dazzling array of eateries, a fantastic selection of museums, and more things to do than you would have thought possible from an off the beaten path French destination, spending a weekend in Nantes couldn’t be easier as an easy excursion from Paris.

And that’s not all! Instead, Nantes is home to its own international airport, which serves plenty of major European cities, as well as some smaller airports across the region.

The bus from the airport to the city centre is under an hour and reasonably priced, while the Nantes main train station offers great transport links to the rest of France and beyond.

And, when it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of places to stay in Nantes , meaning that the city is suitable for near enough every budget (this is especially the case during the European shoulder seasons when the prices are lower- i.e. in the spring and autumn) .

I personally stayed in Hotel La Perouse and was soon enough charmed by this four-star hotel’s central location and the charming views from my bedroom window- which were particularly beautiful come sunset time! Other great hotel choices in Nantes include this boutique hotel and this luxurious accommodation .

Is 2-3 days enough time to visit Nantes?

Friday evening in nantes, visit the château des ducs de bretagne, step inside nantes cathedral, wander around the bouffay district, head to machines de l’ile.

• Enjoy a drink at Le Nid Nantes [permanently closed]

Explore the hidden gems which Nantes has to offer

Go shopping for new and vintage books, take a day trip to clisson, watch the nantes vlog, enjoyed reading about the perfect weekend in nantes itinerary and guide pin this article now, read it again later:.

Yes, I would personally say that two or three days is more than enough time to enjoy all that Nantes has to offer, and even take a short excursion from the city.

The western French city is quite small and compact, with all of the major attractions grouped together within walking distance so everything can be enjoyed over the course of 72 hours.

Arrive on Friday evening and allow yourself a couple of hours to refresh and check in to your accommodation for the weekend. Unpack your things and relax before heading out into town!

To find the best food in Nantes, my recommendation would be to head to the Bouffay district, where you’ll soon discover that this largely pedestrianised area offers a wide range of eateries, cafés, and bistros where you can grab a bite to eat.

When I visited the city, I personally started off my Friday evening by heading to the Café du Passage (1 Place Félix Fournier) , where I enjoyed a crisp glass of rosé in the shadow of the stunning Basilica and by watching the world go by.

Even if you’re visiting Nantes on your own, you should know that it’s not unusual in France to sit in a café on your own (though here are my best tips for dining alone) .

Afterwards, you can’t go wrong by heading to the cobbled rue de la Juiverie or rue du Château, which both offer restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines.

If you’re veggie like me, then the noodles at My Little Warung (8 Rue du Château) are particularly delicious! I also particularly loved the food at Oncle Pho (9 Rue Saint-Léonard) .

Saturday Morning in Nantes

The first thing you must do while in the city is to head to the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) . Once upon a time, Nantes was the city where the Dukes chose to rule their Kingdom.

Though the settlement is now administratively in the Pays de la Loire region of France, Nantes retains a distinctively Breton feel and is also where Anne of Brittany (twice Queen of France) resided.

To illustrate my point about the Brittany ambience of the city, when I was on a guided tour of Nantes (a must if you’re looking to learn more about its history) , our guide for the afternoon asked us each to describe our first impressions of Nantes in just three words.

The gentleman to my right answered with a simple “Brittany… or not?” !! The ramparts of the Château itself are free to visit, meander along, and offer one of the best views of Nantes.

During your time at the Château des Ducs, you should also pay a visit to the Nantes History Museum, which is housed within the Castle walls.

Spanning several rooms, the museum explores the city’s history, from Roman times right up until the present day. One part of the museum aims to educate visitors as to the part that Nantes played in the slave trade.

Today, visitors can gain a sobering insight into the role the city played; Nantes was responsible for over 40% of France’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, a fact that the city has found it hard to come to terms with.

Around a ten minute walk away, along the banks of the River Loire, Nantes now has a Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery. Free to visit, this humbling underground urban path memorial has facts, figures, maps, and a timeline. More details about the Nantes slave trade can be found here.

Free to visit and easily one of the best cathedrals in France , Nantes Cathedral is unique in that it pretty much burnt down during restoration works in the mid-twentieth-Century.

As a result, much of what you see today is actually a reconstruction, including most of the magnificent stained glass which showers the ecclesiastical building in various hues.

Luckily for the history buffs among us, some of the Cathedral survived the bombing of WWII and the subsequent (but unrelated) fire which happened during restorations.

What has survived includes some impressive medieval doors, several chest tombs depicting effigies of those who lie beneath, and of course, the crypt which has Roman roots.

After exploring all that the Château and its museum have to offer, take the time to explore all that the Bouffay District has to offer during the daytime. Asides from the winding streets, independent shops, and hidden and forgotten courtyards, one of the top things to discover is the Église Sainte-Croix.

Boasting one of the most impressive belfries of any ecclesiastical building in the city, this church is free to enter and happens to be the place where Jules Verne was baptised, as well as the location where his parents were married just a year prior.

Step inside at any given moment, and you’ll soon also discover plenty of stunning stained glass windows as well as a 19th-century traditional French Organ.

Nearby, the Passage Sainte-Croix is easily one of the  best-kept secrets of Nantes and hosts unusual art exhibitions on a regular basis. If you’d rather do a more adventurous activity at this time, then you might consider booking a segway tour like this one.

Saturday Afternoon in Nantes

To truly discover all that the Machines de l’Ile area of the city has to cover, you’ll want to dedicate an entire afternoon to this weird and wonderful tourist destination.

So unique is this Nantes attraction, that it’s singlehandedly places Nantes on the tourist map, with visitors from all around the world arriving in the city with the primary intention of discovering the Machines of the Isle of Nantes.

Since 2007, the La Machine production company has been producing impressively large constructions and fantastical mechanical creations on the former shipyards of Nantes.

Particularly impressive projects of note include the 12-metre elephant on which 49 passengers can be transported across the island (just be sure to book your tickets in advance) and the almost 25 metres high Marine Worlds Carousel.

Saturday Evening in Nantes

Enjoy a drink at le nid nantes  [permanently closed].

Please note that as of May 2020, the Nid Nantes is permanently closed.

End your day the right way by soaking up the best view in Nantes . Located at the very top of the Tour Bretagne, Le Nid Nantes offers an indoor bar, as well as a wrap-around terrace which offers panoramic 360-degree views of the entire city.

Though the drinks are a little pricier than at other venues across the city (and you’ll have to pay €1 for the privilege of using the lift up and entering the bar) , the view more than makes up for the fact! Standing at a dizzying height of 32 floors, from the top you can enjoy a bird’s eye perspective of the Cathedral, the typically Nantes architecture, and more.

Sunday Morning in Nantes

If you truly want to make the most of your weekend in Nantes, then you might consider delving a deeper into the city on a more local level. What this may well mean is to be on the lookout for some of the best-kept secrets and hidden gems which the French settlement has to offer.

Among my favourite off the beaten path places to discover include the hidden courtyard and garden of La Psalette (a medieval mansion and secluded courtyard close to Nantes Cathedral) , La Porte Sauvetout Medieval Gate (all that’s left of the once-grand medieval fortifications surrounding the city- nearby you can grab some of the best coffee in Nantes at GLAZ), and the free to visit secret gardens on the Ile de Versailles.

After you’ve wandered through Passage Pommeraye and discovered some of the lesser-known gems that the city has to offer, why not dive into some new and used bookshops and discover the city from a new perspective (and to purchase some souvenirs to bring back home!)

During my solo trip to Nantes, I was particularly enthralled to discover an abundance of historic, quirky, and unique bookshops in Nantes, and even managed to pick up several local history books for a very reasonable price!

A personal favourite of mine was Coiffard Books, which is set across two sides of a pedestrian-only street. Boasting features such as oak panelling and books stacked from floor to ceiling, I was particularly enthralled by the expansive travel section! Find all the details for opening times here.

Sunday Afternoon in Nantes

For those who wish to experience the beginning of the Loire Valley, an easy day trip from Nantes is that of Clisson. Pretty, picturesque and with its own set of crumbling ruins and wealth of medieval history, this beautiful town has more than enough to entertain any traveller over the course of an afternoon.

From Nantes, it takes just under half an hour to reach Clisson (should you opt to take the fast train). Otherwise, the journey will remain the same price and take under an hour in each direction.

However you reach Clisson, once there, some of the top highlights include exploring the Italianate style Domaine de la Garenne Lemot & La Villa Lemot & La Maison du Jardinier and soaking up the quiet ambience of the town.

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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A local’s guide to Nantes, France: top 10 tips

With brilliant art, cuisine, river islands and muscadet, the thriving city at the mouth of the Loire is ideal for a short break, and only six hours by rail from London

Isle of culture

It must be hard for today’s visitors to imagine the Île de Nantes, in the middle of the Loire, as the industrial wasteland it became once shipbuilding finished in the 1980s. But from 2007, it has been transformed from virtual no-go area into cultural hub – giving the island back to the people and attracting tourists. The Machines de l’Ile – gigantic, surreal steampunk animals and insects lumbering through the old shipyards – have been a big hit. For summer days, La Cantine du Voyage is a huge open-air cafe on Quai des Antilles, serving healthy meals (from €11, reopens April 2020). A huge warehouse, Le Hangar à Bananes , where bananas were once brought to ripen, is now HAB , a brilliant contemporary art venue, while at night there are bars, concerts and clubbing.

The belly of the city

The place to meet locals is Marché de Talensac , the belly of the city, where everyone does their shopping. Inside the 1937 covered hall are specialities such as rum- and lemon-flavoured gâteau nantais , pungent curé nantais cheese, and fish straight from the trawler. Each weekend, farmers set up stalls outside with a cornucopia of organic vegetables, including a buzzing flea market covering the adjoining Place Viarme on Saturday. The market is ringed by friendly cafes and bars, such as Café du Coin , or the stallholders’ favourite, Café du Matin , where you can bring your cheese, charcuterie or oysters and enjoy them with a chilled bottle of muscadet. Tues-Sun 8am-1pm

The finest art

Visitors to France often forget that many of our provincial cities have art galleries with the same class of grand masters as at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay in Paris, but without the queues or crowds. That is certainly the case in Nantes, where the magnificent Musée d’Arts , established by Napoleon in 1801 and recently reopened after a six-year renovation, showcases a splendid collection, from Tintoretto and Rubens to Monet, Rodin, Kandinsky and Chagall. I oversee a host of ever-changing avant-garde events here under Le Voyage à Nantes umbrella, but visitors can appreciate the museum’s 10,000-strong collection all year round. museedartsdenantes.nantesmetropole.fr

Must-try muscadet

Muscadet is the wine of Nantes, sold at every cafe and restaurant. It has been enjoying a revival as the focus has returned to quality over quantity and more organic wines. The vineyards begin just outside town, so either drive or join an organised trip through the countryside between Nantes and Clisson . Stop off at elegant 70-hectare waterside Château de Coing , run by mother-and-daughter vigneronnes , or make an appointment for a tasting with Michel Badouet , one of the leading lights in the natural wine movement. Book lunch at romantic La Cascade in Clisson (two-course lunch from €16.50), then end the afternoon with a couple of hours’ lazy kayaking on the Sèvre and Maine rivers. levignobledenantes-tourisme.com

Cruise the arty estuary

The magnificent Loire estuary is a natural extension to the city that we have been opening up for locals and tourists. Three art biennales have left a heritage of 30 monumental sculptures and installations as the river nears the Atlantic. A cruise (€25pp) lasts almost three hours, the landscape changing from industrial sites to fishing villages, farms and wetlands filled with wildlife, to shipyards and containers at Saint-Nazaire. The artworks will take your breath away: a half-submerged house, a giant sea snake, wild animals climbing trees, a metal tower with a house on top (that can be rented). And at the end, a €5 train ride gets you back to Nantes in 30 minutes.

Gilded arcade

The flamboyant Passage Pommeraye – a precursor of modern shopping malls, built in 1843 – may not be as famous as its peers in Paris, Brussels and Milan, but for me Pommeraye is the most beautiful, with its elaborate staircase, statues and ornaments that climb up three floors, leading to a maze of gilded galleries. Shoppers can browse fashion showrooms, cake shops and jewellery or leather workshops. Just down the road from Pommeraye’s ornate entrance, the lustrous belle époque showroom of Chocolatier Gautier Debotté (9 rue de la Fosse) is a paradise for chocolate lovers, and the talkative owner of Les Rigolettes Nantaises (18 rue de Verdun), Stéphan Le Guiriec, will explain the century-old history of Nantes’s famous fruit bonbons, inspired by Verdi’s opera. passagepommeraye.fr

‘Unique’ cultural centre

The striking art nouveau tower of the old LU biscuit factory is a symbol of Nantes, but when production closed in the 1980s, it became a symbol of the city’s decline. The vast building was abandoned until we created Le Lieu Unique in 2000 as an accessible and affordable cultural centre – a place for everyone in Nantes to have fun, and open daily from 11am to 2am or even 6am. It was a success from day one, offering a cheap and cheerful restaurant and waterside bar, a bookshop, a kindergarten, contemporary art exhibitions and ever-changing theatre, dance and music events, many of them free. There are even Turkish baths in the basement. It was a gamble, as this kind of venue hardly existed then in France. Quai Ferdinand-Favre, lelieuunique.com

Crêpes and bistronomie

Nantes probably has more crêperies than any town in Brittany (historically and culturally the city is Breton though it now belongs to the Pays de la Loire region), and visitors should experience a meal of savoury galettes de blé noir (buckwheat), then sweet wheatflour pancakes accompanied by local cider. Of the crêperies, it’s difficult to beat Heb-Ken . The Breton name means “take it as it is”, so don’t expect anything else apart from crêpes, all made with local ingredients such as ham, goat’s cheese, strawberry jam, chocolate and the traditional beurre salé – just don’t count the calories. It’s all delicious and all affordable, with prices starting at €2.70. Nantes has some inventive new bistros too, run by young talented chefs. Restaurant Ici and Le Petit Boucot are especially good value for a gourmet lunch: both offering two courses for €18, comprising perhaps mackerel with heritage tomato carpaccio and line-fished hake on a bed of creamy aubergine.

Riverside neighbourhood

Just north-west of the 19th-century Jardin Botanique is Les Bordes de l’Erdre , a tranquil neighbourhood bordering the river of the same name. The bustling town centre may be only 15 minutes’ walk away, but this laid-back bohemian quartier is perfect for sunset aperitifs on the Pépé Guinguette , a houseboat moored on the quay, or waterside bars such as Le Bateau-lavoir and Café de l’Ile . Rent an electric boat (€25 an hour) to explore the Erdre, where a stylised Japanese garden with pagoda is hidden away on the Île de Versailles. For eating out, reserve at Le Brocéliande , where a €10 plat du jour could be a bistro classic of juicy lamb cutlets and garlicky potatoes or a vegetarian prune tagine.

Perfect bar crawl

With a lively student population of about 50,000 (out of a total of 670,000), the town centre is perfect for an evening bar crawl. Choose between specialist wine bars like Le Jeroboam (21 rue Léon Blum) and La Comédie des Vins (4 rue Suffren), where 20 to 30 wines are served by the glass, accompanied by plates of cheese and charcuterie, to Le Labo (19 rue Léon Blum), a rhumerie with dozens of rare aged and infused rums, or artisan ale bars such as Le Sur Mesure Beauregard (no website, 15 rue Beauregard). And now there is a genuine retro cocktail bar, the 19:33 Cocktail Experience (8 rue Voltaire), pretty much the first in Nantes, which serves exquisitely made tipples made by mixologist Martin Gouget, including some highly rated non-alcholic ones in a setting that resembles a carriage of the Orient Express.

Where to stay The four-star Oceania Hôtel de France Nantes (doubles from €110 room-only) is in a recently renovated 18th-century mansion in the historic centre. Its rooms veer between art deco and contemporary styles, some with balconies overlooking Place Graslin.

Best time to visit There are cultural festivals all year round (Cinematography of Africa, Asia and Latin America kicks off on 19 November). The city is quite rainy (800mm a year – more than London) but mild.

Getting there Trains from London to Nantes , with a change of station in Paris, take about six hours, from £110 return when booked in advance.

Jean Blaise is the founder/director of Le Voyage à Nantes festival

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The genuine nantes travel guide – 1 day.

• July 10, 2021
• Destination , Europe , France

Nantes Travel Guide

Nantes is France 6 th biggest city with around 310 000 inhabitants. The city is located in the west part of France and is the seat of the Loire-Atlantique department and the Pays de la Loire region. Historically and culturally Nantes belongs to Brittany, a former duchy and province, and its omission from the modern administrative region of Brittany is controversial.

This history of the city is long and quite interesting. It was the seat of a bishopric at the end of the Roman era before it was conquered by the Bretons in 851. During the 17th century, after the establishment of the French colonial empire, Nantes became the largest port in France and was responsible for nearly half of the 18th-century French Atlantic slave trade. The French Revolution resulted in an economic decline.

Table of Contents

Mapping the day.

Getting there

Getting to Nantes is pretty easy. You can simply take a train from Paris. There is a TGV that runs from Paris-Montparnasse to Nantes stopping by Le Mans and Angers. It will take around 2h30.

Or you can just drive there. France has a good highway network (but also quite expensive with numerous tolls)

Moving Around

Nantes has an extensive public transport system made of buses and trams that can be free on weekends. The easiest way to get around the city is using Trams.

But if you’d rather walk around, you can as well. Most of the landmarks and attraction can be walked to.

When to Visit

You can visit the city all year round, but the weather might not be that nice.

As most of the cities in France, the best time to visit is Mai, June and then September. It is always better to avoid the summer Holidays (July, August).

Where to Stay

We found that little Airbnb with an amazing location :

What to Eat

The top specialities are :

• Les Rigolettes nantaises: old-fashioned candy composed of a crunchy shell filled with a fruit marmalade, historically with pineapple, blackcurrant, lemon, raspberry or mandarin.
• Le petit beurre: Butter cookies
• Le curé Nantais: the cheese of St Julien-de-Concelles
• Muscadet (AOC): the white of the Nantes vineyard
• Nantes lamb’s lettuce: The Pays de la Loire region alone produces 83% of the French lamb’s lettuce.

Things to do

• Botanical Garden

Our favourite spot in the city!  The Nantes Botanic Garden covers 7 hectares of green space in the centre of town. It’s home to more than 10,000 species and more than 5000 flowers are planted each season. Its greenhouses have a surface area of 800 square metres. It’s been presented with the “Remarkable Garden” award and is among the four leading botanical gardens in France.

• Château des ducs de Bretagne

Explore the castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the flagship monument of the city of Nantes. Located in the historical heart of the city, this fortress has a 15th century rampart and several buildings built from the 14th to the 18th century.

You can freely walk inside and do its ramparts walk. Within the castle is a museum.

• Le Lieu unique

This place is more something to watch from the castle than to visit. The lieu unique is a center for contemporary culture. Opened at the beginning of the 21st century, it is housed in a former biscuit factory at the center of the city.

• Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes

Visit the cathedral of Nantes. It took over 500 years to build it and it is about the same size as Notre-Dame-de-Paris. Its white stone façade is surrounded by two massive towers, on top of which are terraces overlooking the city. With its wall you can visit the crypt and the tombs.

• île de Versailles

Stroll around the artificial island of 1.7 hectares, created in 1831 and originally occupied by tanners and shipwrights, was transformed into a Japanese garden in 1983. The composition of rockeries and waterfalls is articulated around 3 buildings inspired by the traditional Japanese habitat. Among them, the Maison de l’Erdre, which is surrounded by a Zen Garden, serves as a setting for exhibitions devoted to the river and its aquatic environment.

• Place Royale

Pop by one of the main squares of the city. The Royal square is a beautiful place to walk. From there you will be able to walk in one of the main pedestrian areas of Nantes, the Rue Crébillon

• Passage Pommeraye

Take a shot at the Passage Pommeraye is a small shopping mall named after its property developer, Louis Pommeraye. The Passage Pommeraye is a passage between two streets, the rue Santeuil and rue de la Fosse, with one 9.40 m higher than the other.

Les Machines de l'Île

Have fun at the Machines of the Isle of Nantes, an artistic, touristic and cultural project located in the old shipyards of the city. Find The Great Elephant a 12m tall machine moving around and throwing water at children playing around.

Along with it, you will find a Carousel, a Heron Tree and the machine gallery.

Nantes is also a city that could be visited in one day, so we would recommend this order:

• Les Machines de l’Île

À vaillant coeur rien d’impossible. -Jacques Cœur

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Visit Nantes: The 20 Best Things to Do and See

Things to do in nantes: all highlights and activities.

You’re planning to visit Nantes , this nice city located in the Loire Atlantique department during your travel in France?

In order for you to make the most out of your stay, I have created a guide with all the best things to do in the city .

Historical monuments, parks, activities like the famous Island of machines (“Machines de l’île” in french), there is a lot to discover in Nantes! Another big advantage of this medium sized city is that you can visit everything on foot.

In addition to the must-see attractions of Nantes , I will give you my best advices about where to stay , as well as itineraries to visit Nantes in 1, 2 or 3 days.

So, what are the best places to visit in Nantes?

Let’s start with the 15 points of interest!

1. A journey to Nantes and the green line

2. the château des ducs de bretagne, 3. lu tower, 4. nantes cathedral, 5. nantes arts museum, 6. the jardin des plantes, 7. versailles island, 8. the erdre riverside, 9. the tour bretagne – closed for renovation, 10. the bouffay district, 11. kervegan street, 12. the passage pommeray, 13. the machines of the isle of nantes, 14. nantes museums, 15. the escape hunt experience nantes, 16. trentemoult, 17. clisson, 18. grand lieu lake, 19. the nantes-brest canal, 20. the puy du fou, the nantes pass, what to do in nantes for a day, what to do in nantes for 2 days, what to do in nantes in 3 days, where to stay in nantes, where to eat in nantes, renting a boat in nantes, what to do in nantes with your family, what to do in nantes when it rains, what are the best districts to visit in nantes, where to buy the pass to visit nantes, you’re traveling in france these articles will help you.

To start this list of things to do in Nantes Nantes, here is an original project that takes place every year from July 1st to the end of August in the city.

Entitled A journey to Nantes (“Le Voyage à Nantes” in French), this cultural event allows you to discover the city’s must-see attractions, historic buildings, squares and numerous temporary artistic installations.

And they have made it very easy! This artistic trail is symbolized by a green line drawn on the ground : you just have to follow it to discover the majority of the places listed below.

Even if the artist’s installations are temporary, the Green Line is an excellent route to visit Nantes on foot or by bike all year round!

You will find the green line itinerary as well as the highlights of the tour on the “A Journey to Nantes” official website.

The château des Ducs de Bretagne (The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) is Nantes most important historical monument and one of the main touristic attractions.

Located in the historic heart of the city, this fortress is endowed with a 15th century rampart and several buildings built from the 14th to the 18th century.

Listed as a historical monument since 1862 , the buildings have been used as ducal residences, governor’s sieges or barracks and even bunkers during the during the Second World War German occupation.

The castle became the property of the city of Nantes in 1915, and after fifteen years of restoration, it’s now a must-see in the city.

You can visit the castle and its different rooms . It also houses the Nantes History Museum , which provides a portrait of the city from its origins to the present day, with nearly 1150 collector’s items. Every year, numerous temporary exhibitions are also held there.

Not to be missed is the 500-metre path at the top of the ramparts , which will allow you to admire the castle as well as the city of Nantes from every angle. It’s even nicer at night thanks to the magnificent lighting.

You can find more information on the château des Ducs de Bretagne official website

To visit the château des Ducs de Bretagne as well as most other tourist sites and museums of the city , you should buy the Nantes Pass.

It’s the best way to save time and money , and it also includes free access to public transports!

To buy your Nantes Pass, simply click on the button below:

Just in front of the château des Ducs de Bretagne is the Lu tower (“tour Lu”). As its name suggests, it was part of the former factory that produced the famous Nantes biscuits, the “BN” (“Biscuit Nantais”).

Originally, the factory consisted of 2 towers and a building, but they were badly damaged during the Second World War and only one of them could be restored.

The tower is really photogenic with its gold and blue colors as well as its dome pierced with windows. Inside, on the ground floor, you will find a small room retracing the history of the Lu factory .

However, the highlight of the visit is to go up to the top of the tower in order to admire the view over the whole city of Nantes . It’s possible thanks to the Gyrorama, a strange machine, with a “Jules Verne” invention look. A must see during your stay in Nantes.

Next to the Lu Tower, in the former manufacturing factory, there is also an atypical art centre that offers several exhibitions:

• A performance hall with dance and theatre performances
• A trendy bar
• A restaurant
• And a bookstore.

This place is now named “Lieu Unique” (LU, which means “Unique Place” in English )

Another historic monument of Nantes: The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes. The construction of the cathedral has spanned over 500 years. About the size of Notre-Dame-de-Paris, its white stone facade is surrounded by 2 massive towers, with terraces overlooking the city at the top.

To see inside:

• The tomb of Francis II , last Duke of Brittany
• The crypts: a Romanesque crypt sheltering the treasures of the cathedral and another one featuring an exhibition retracing its history.
• The great pipe organ

To discover the best places to visit in Nantes, you can also opt for a guided Segway tour .

You will have the choice between a 1h or a 2h tour. They both starts at the Place Royale and passes in front of the castle and the cathedral.

To book  the 1 hour tour, simply click on the button below:

And click there for the 2-hour tour:

In the middle of the promenade between the Nantes cathedral and the Jardin des Plantes , you will pass in front of Nantes Art Museum , sometimes also called the Nantes Fine Arts Museum .

Closed during 6 years for renovation, the museum has just reopened its doors to the public, so why not take advantage of it to discover the brand new facilities.

This museum houses a collection of works ranging from ancient to contemporary ar t presented in various forms, including paintings, videos, photographs and art installations.

For information on timetables and prices, you can find everything on the museum’s official website

You’re going to Nantes?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Nantes on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Nantes.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Nantes, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Nantes!

Located in the heart of Nantes, a few hundred meters from the château des Ducs de Bretagne and the cathedral, you will find the Jardin des plantes .

With nearly 7 hectares of greenery, this large botanical garden is among the 4 largest in France . It will allow you to enjoy a beautiful stroll while admiring the 50,000 flowers planted each season or by walking through the 800 square metres of greenhouses.

Every year, during the A journey to Nantes event , you will also find cool funny giant installations made of shrubs or wood.

A perfect place to stroll along the alleys, and enjoy a little coolness thanks to the fountains.

As we are talking about the parks and gardens of Nantes , you can then go to Versailles island (“L’île de Versailles”) to continue the walk on the theme of greenery and nature.

Formerly occupied by tanners and carpenters, this 1.7 hectares artificial island has been turned into a Japanese garden .

The rocks shapes, waterfalls and vegetation recreate the typical Zen atmosphere of Japanese landscapes.

In the heart of the island, you will even discover a traditional tea house , the “Maison de l’Erdre”, which houses exhibitions on the river’s fauna and flora.

The Versailles island is a great starting point for a walk or bike ride along the Erdre riverside.

Thanks to the many parks, manor houses and castles along the river, the Erdre was nicknamed by François 1st, the most beautiful river in France . Indeed, you will be able to see several vast mansions with large gardens that belonged to rich shipowners or merchants.

To see also: the Chantrerie park and the Beaujoire floral park .

Continue the walk up to the port of Sucé sur Erdre where the river forms a nice small lake.

Many activities allow you to discover Nantes and the Erdre on the water side, you can also rent canoes, license-free electric boats or opt for a romantic cruise.

Update: The tour bretagne is closed for several years for renovation works

From the outside, this office tower has nothing extraordinary, but take its elevator to the 32nd floor and you will discover a magnificent 360 degree panorama over the whole city of Nantes .  And all this for a symbolic €1, it’s rare enough to be highlighted.

Don’t miss “Le Nid”, an atypical bar perched at the top of the Tour Bretagne (Brittany tower), with a giant stork and egg-shaped poufs! A perfect opportunity to have a drink in an original atmosphere.

Speaking of good food, you will find a multitude of bars and restaurants in the Bouffay district . This lively neighbourhood is a popular place for going out and shopping.

Ancient historical heart of the city, it’s still considered as the soul of Nantes . Mainly pedestrian, it’s in the Bouffay district that you will be able to see half-timbered houses and vestiges of 15th and 16th century buildings .

Not to be missed: the Apothecary house (“maison de l’Apothicaire”), a 3-storey building with sculptures and statuettes on the facade. Nowadays, there is a restaurant inside.

In the neighborhood, go around Bouffay Square (Place du Bouffay). Formerly the square were public executions were taking place, it now houses a small covered market. All around, you can have a drink on one of the many cafés terraces.

It’s also in Nantes that you can see one of the most beautiful European architectural complexes of the 18th century. Kervegan Street is considered to be one of the most characteristic streets in the city, with its buildings listed as historic monuments.

Along with the Bouffay district , it’s part of the gastronomic center of Nantes and you will find everything you need to eat well.

The passage Pommeray is a must-see in Nantes. Built to allow the passage between Place Royale and Place Graslin , this shopping gallery was built according to the model of the great Parisian galleries.

The passage is simply magnificent with its huge glass roof and monumental staircase that connects the 3 levels of the gallery. Around the balconies, on the upper floors, you an find statues and sculptures representing the geniuses of art and science.

Do not hesitate to go and admire it, the place is very photogenic thanks to its brightness .

And if you have time, you can of course take advantage of it to do some shopping in the boutiques.

In Nantes, you will be able to enjoy a unique and original activity that will delight young and old alike. The Machines of the Isle of Nantes (“Les Machines de l’île” in French) is THE must-see tourist attraction in Nantes!

The island of Machines is an original project mixing the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci .

The 2 designers of the project invented articulated machines representing giant animals . During your visit, you will be able to discover the manufacturing secrets of its machines and even climb on or drive some of them.

The most famous is the 12 meters tall and 48 tons giant elephant . Seeing it in motion is quite impressive! If you’re lucky, you can even be one of the 50 passengers who can board for a 30-minute stroll at a speed of 1 to 3km/h

Another attraction is the machines gallery (“la galerie des machines”), which houses a bestiary of beautiful mechanics.

You can ride and lead several animals including a spider, an ant and even a giant heron that will take you around the gallery. Machinists are there to explain the process of creation and operation of these strange creatures.

The gallery will be home to the Heron Tree (l’Arbre aux hérons), a giant tree with 22 branches and hanging gardens, in the coming years. Today only the experimental branch is accessible, but no doubt that the result will be outstanding.

Finally, the island is home to a unique merry-go-round: the Marine Worlds carousel (“le carrousel des Mondes Marins”). On 3 levels, you will discover the sea creatures that populate the seabed, abyss and sea surface: giant crabs, Manta rays and squid that you can ride.

On the island you can also enjoy many bars and restaurants with themes such as “La Cantine du Voyage” (The Travel Canteen) which offers, every day in summer, a unique menu at 10€ , made from local produce and vegetables from the garden.

And for dessert, choose one of the best ice cream in Nantes at the “Fraiseraie”.

Access to the machines Gallery is free with the Nantes Pass.

The island of Machines Official Website

1) Jules Verne Museum

The Jules Verne Museum is located on Sainte-Anne hill in a beautiful bourgeois house. It was created to pay tribute to the writer, who was born and lived in Nantes. However, he never lived in the house where the museum is located.

The museum retraces the writer’s life and presents objects that belonged to him. A collection of his original works is also being showcased.

Free access with the Nantes Pass.

2) Natural History Museum of Nantes

Another museum to see in Nantes, the Natural History Museum traces the origins of man and animal species through its various galleries.

The Earth sciences section about minerals allows children to discover the rocks through workshops, in a very playful way.

But the most impressive part is the zoology gallery, which has more than 1000 vertebrate animals, including a whale skeleton more than 18m long!

3) The printing museum of Nantes , where you can attend a guided tour and discover how different machines work.

4) The naval museum Maillé Brézé , located in a former french navy ship, in the port of Nantes. You can discover the life on board, the engine room and the armaments during a guided tour. If you want to visit, you should have a look at the opening hours on the official website.

If, unfortunately, it’s raining during your stay in Nantes or simply if you like it, Nantes offers several spaces devoted to the most fashionable games at the moment: the escapes games.

I particularly recommend you The Escape Hunt Experience which is the biggest escape game in France .

The goal here is to decode puzzles and solve mysteries in 60 minutes. A great activity to do with friends or family (children must be 12 years old or older). Of course, it’s only on reservation.

To get your detective brain to work, it’s this way .

Things to do around Nantes

if you are in Nantes for a few days, here are my favourite places to visit nearby:

About ten minutes from Nantes in Navibus, you can go to Trentemoult , an old fishing village. With its brightly coloured facades, its maze of narrow alleys and its many restaurants, everything is put together for a pleasant time.

20 minutes from Nantes, don’t hesitate to visit Clisson , a very beautiful medieval city. A must-see for its castle, medieval halls and Romanesque church.

The city is also described as the capital of the Nantes vineyard , so take the opportunity to discover the know-how of the winegrowers or visit their cellars.

A guided visit of Clisson is free with the Nantes Pass (click here)

At about 15 kilometers from Nantes, there is the largest natural lake in France , the lake of Grand Lieu .

More than 500 species of plants (some of which are very rare) are recorded on its shores. It’s also home to one of the most important colonies of grey herons in Europe.

If you wish to visit Nantes and its surroundings , it is the opportunity of a nice family walk to discover the flora and fauna.

As the name suggests, the Nantes-Brest Canal connects the 2 french cities and stretches for nearly 360 kilometers. You can follow it on foot, by bicycle or you can choose the waterway and enjoy the magnificent landscapes it crosses.

Do not miss the city of Carhaix, Chateauneuf-du-Faou and the “domaine de Trevarez.”

Located only 1 hour from Nantes, the Puy du Fou , a famous historical theme park with shows, is an excellent idea for a visit, with or without children! And if you want to spend 2 days there, there are many hotels on site.

The park is also easily accessible from La Rochelle (1h30).

To avoid waiting in line at the entrance of the park, you should really book your tickets in advance . It’s super easy and you will save a lot of time!

To buy your tickets for the Puy du Fou , simply click on the button below:

If you are planning to visit Nantes, I strongly recommend you to take the Nantes Pass .

Valid for 1, 2 or 3 days, for a price ranging from 25 to 45€, it will give you free access to public transport , and many points of interest and activities.

Sites and museums such as the Château des ducs de Bretagne , the city bus tour and even a cruise on the Erdre river are included!

You will also get discounts on many attractions.

If you only spend 1 day in Nantes , I advise you to follow the “green line” that I mentioned at the beginning of this article as it will allow you to visit Nantes on foot while going through the following attractions:

• Start the day with a visit to the Château des ducs de Bretagne
• Then go up to the Lu Tower and take a walk to the Lieu Unique
• The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes is also worth the detour
• Take a good lunch break at “La Cigale” restaurant,. I’ll tell you more about it in the “Where to eat in Nantes” section.
• Spend the afternoon at the  Machines of the Isle of Nantes , with the Marine Worlds carousel and the Great Elephant.

The perfect way to discover Nante’s main points of interest!

In 2 days in Nantes, in addition to the itinerary I gave you for the 1st day, you can visit:

• Start your morning with the Passage Pommeray and its superb architecture
• Then take Kervegan Street to admire its listed buildings.
• Before the lunch, you can visit the Nantes Art Museum.
• Lunch break
• For a bit of freshness in the afternoon, start by visiting the Jardin des Plantes
• Continue with Versailles island and take a short stroll along the Erdre riverside
• End your day by going to the terrace of the Tour Bretagne to enjoy the sunset. Use this opportunity to take the aperitif at the Nid , the bar located on the 32nd floor of the building.

If you plan to spend 3 days in Nantes , you can add to your schedule:

• In the morning, take the Navibus to join the old fishing village of Trentemoult
• While you’re at it, have lunch there!
• For the afternoon, how about a trip to Clisson, the medieval city , or to Grand Lieu lake , perfect with children?

And if you would like to visit more tourist attractions around like the Puy du Fou, you can easily spend 4 or 5 days in this nice city.

• Logis Hôtel Duquesne : Located 100 meters from the Tour Bretagne, in the Nantes city center. Sleek and modern room from 58€ per night, breakfast at 9€. Strong points: very good location, quiet hotel, good breakfast
• Residhome Nantes Berges de la  Loire : Situated 10 minutes walk from the city centre, in the Euronantes district. Bright and spacious studio apartment with kitchenette from 76€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: quiet location, studio equipment and excellent breakfast. Clearly the best value for money in Nantes under 100 euros!
• Best Western Hôtel Graslin : 2 minutes walk from the Graslin Theatre and 15 minutes from the Château des ducs de Bretagne . Comfortable room from 80€, breakfast at 12€. Strong points: its location, the very warm welcome, copious breakfast with fresh products.
• Okko Hotels Nantes Château: This modern 4-star hotel is simply the best hotel in Nantes city center . Double room price starts from 115 euros per night, breakfast included. The ideal choice for a luxury stay in Nantes!
• La Cigale : This brasserie restaurant is very famous in Nantes. We come here for the special atmosphere that emanates from its Art Nouveau décor but of course also for its excellent cuisine. I advise you to book in advance.
• Le bistro des enfants nantais:  A real local bistro with generous and homely cuisine at very reasonable prices. Save a place for dessert, they’re excellent. Reservation recommended.
• Crêperie Ker Breizh: Traditional creperie where everything is homemade. Large choice of copious and varied pancakes and patties, from classic to the most original (mussels for example). Unbeatable value for money.

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day on the Erdre River during your stay in Nantes, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Nantes? 😊

FAQ – I answer your questions about Nantes

If you plan to visit Nantes with your children, I recommend the following activities:

• Visit the Dukes of Brittany castle – Visiting a castle, that can only please your children!
• Walk around the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes – A great idea for a family outing.
• A bike ride on the banks of the Erdre river
• Take them to see the machines of the island of Nantes
• Discover Nantes’s natural history museum
• For teenagers: the Escape Hunt Experience Nantes
• A family day at the Puy du Fou

If unfortunately it’s raining during your stay in Nantes, here are a few ideas of visits that can be done no matter the weather:

• Discover the castle of the Dukes of Brittany and the history museum of Nantes
• Visit the Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul cathedral of Nantes
• Visit the museums: the art museum, the Jules Verne museum, the natural history museum
• Go to the Pommeray passage for a bit of shopping
• Try to solve the riddles of an escape game.

Here is the list of neighborhoods to see during your visit in Nantes:

• Graslin district, where the Passage Pommeray is located, is famous for its numerous shops and restaurants
• Bouffay district (which I talk about in point 10 of this guide), the historical district of Nantes
• The island of Nantes for its extraordinary machines.

And you, what do you plan to visit in Nantes?

France travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all our articles about France: All Voyage Tips articles about France are listed there.

• Honfleur: Top 15 things to do and discover
• La Rochelle: The 15 must-see attractions
• Nice: 15 things to do and see

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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What to do in Nantes – Our Nantes Travel Guide

Welcome to our complete Nantes travel guide. Nantes (pronounced “nant”) is a small but intriguing French city southwest of Paris. It’s very easy and cheap to get to from the UK and northern Europe and offers an authentic experience of French city life outside of the capital. The highlights of any visit here are the food, quaint cafes, historic architecture (including a beautiful castle) and the unique ‘Les Machines des I’ile’, a quirky museum with mechanical, interactive machines.

Browse our Nantes travel guide below to find out the best things to do in Nantes.

When to visit Nantes

Arriving by plane, arriving by train.

Getting around

Top things to see and do

2-day itinerary example

Where to stay

Travel tips

Nantes is a year-round city. Visit in the summer for warm temperatures and plenty of outdoor activities or return in the colder months for Christmas markets and plenty of gift shopping opportunities. Temperature high’s in July and August are 25 degrees, whilst the cold months of December to February are a fairly OK 10 degrees Celsius. Visit during both periods to see the city in a different light.

Nantes Atlantique Airport is a small but modern airport and the best thing about it is its close location to the city centre. You can catch a cab or shuttle bus to the city centre or you can rent a car and make your own way to your hotel.

Taxi – A row of white ‘official’ taxis are located just outside the main terminal. Share a cab with another traveller/s to save money if you can!

Price: Around €35

Journey to the city centre: 20 min

Bus – The Navette Airport Shuttle (also known as Tan Air shuttle) is located just outside the terminal, operating every 20 minutes direct to the city centre. The bus will stop at the train station, Le Lieu Unique area and heart of the city centre. Find out the latest shuttle bus information here .

Price: €9 one-way trip and

Journey to the city centre: 30 min

Car rental – Sixt is our recommended rental operator at Nantes Airport. They’re located in the main terminal building, are reasonably priced and have the best reviews between the rental companies.

Price: around €70 for 3 days (Economy car)

Gare de Nantes train station is located just east of the city centre, within a 10-minute walk of the main attractions. The station connects direct to Paris and many of the smaller towns and cities in the north-west region.

Nantes travel guide to getting around

If you’re staying in the city centre, almost everything is within walking distance and you’ll rarely need to catch public transport. If you do however, the city operates a very convenient tram network, which will get you around within a matter of minutes.

Buses and trams

The public transport network in Nantes is called TAN. It includes three tram networks and various bus routes covering the entire city and the main transport HUB is next to Gare Centrale Station. We recommend using the Google Maps mobile app to find directions to a destination on public transport. It’ll save you the hassle of trying to read French schedules and is highly accurate.

Bus/tram tickets cost €1.60 for a one-way journey or you can buy 10 journeys for only €14.90. Tickets can be purchased at tram-stop ticket machines or on buses. You can also use the TAN smartphone app. Find out more information about Nantes public transport on the TAN website here .

If you’re feeling fit, take advantage of the Nantes Bicloo bike rental stations. This is one of our top Nantes travel guide recommendations! There are over 100 located throughout the city and you can pick up and park your bike whilst you visit the attractions. A membership will cost you between 1 – 5 euros for up to seven days and the first half hour of your journey is free.

Nantes City Pass

The Nantes City Pass is a 1, 2 or 3-day pass that gives you free admission to the top attractions in the city, including the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, Machines de l’ile and a variety of museums, tours and boat excursions. Complimentary public transport is also included in the price (starting from 17 euros per day). It’s well worth if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing!

Uber is also a convenient option for those that don’t mind paying a little extra.

Top things to do in Nantes

1. Les Machines de L’ile

No doubt the must-see attraction for any trip to Nantes, Les Machine de L’ile (Isle of the Machines) is a cool, interactive museum based on project created by two French artists. The complex is a selection of indoor and outdoor attractions where visitors can see large robotic animals in motion, take a ride on a giant elephant or spin around on a three-story carousel. There are also a number of themed restaurants and art installations.

This attraction is both unique and entertaining for visitors of all ages. Bring your camera and spend a good 3 hours here!

2. Jardins des Plantes

Not to be confused with the Jardins des Plantes in Paris, this just as beautiful 18 th century botanical garden is a free to enter attraction right next to the train station. Spend a couple of hours wandering the beautiful grounds looking at the flowers and plants or stopping by the lake for a picnic lunch. It’s one of the top-rated places to visit in the city.

3. Passage Pommeraye

Neoclassical in design, this small French shopping mall is in the main shopping area of Nantes. Even if you’re not in town to shop, this narrow passage is an attraction regardless and you’ll capture some excellent photos. It looks particularly enchanting at Christmas-time or on an evening. The shops here are quirky and sell a variety of products, however they’re more expensive than nearby stores on the high-street.

4. Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul

Whilst you walk through the compact city centre, make sure you visit The Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul. A visually impressive white church from the outside, the inside is elegantly decorative and home to a labyrinth of underground catacombs. It has educational exhibitions about the history of the cathedral and entry is free.

5. Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne

This stunning 18 th century castle is the cultural heart of Nantes City Centre. Once home to the Dukes of Brittany, this fairy tale castle has since been restored multiple times and is now host to a museum. Spend your time here walking around the outer walls and taking pictures of the stunning architecture, before entering the museum interior.

6. Le Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror)

Right in front of Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne is a large ‘water mirror’, a thin layer of water on the surface of a man-made pavement. The unique design of the water feature reflects the chateau in the background, creating an impressive mirror image. Capture some cool shots with your camera!

7. The intriguing streets and buildings

Nantes is an attraction in itself. Wandering the compact city centre and Loire river banks and bridges is a great way to experience what the city is all about. The buildings are a mix of unusually slanted and colourful architecture, some of which were built by slaves in the 17 th century, and impressive modern-art centrepieces. Learn about the top buildings and areas to check out on The Culture Trip here. The unusual slant/jagged design of the buildings is very interesting, and no-one seems to know why they were built like this.

8. Musee d’histoire naturelle de Nantes (Natural History Museum)

The Natural History Museum of Nantes is a small but intriguing place to browse for a few hours. It covers natural history of our planet very well, exploring everything from fossils, to pre-historic animals and live reptile and ant colonies. The museum is both interactive and has plenty of exhibits and videos, ideal for a rainy day or a must-see for natural history lovers.

9. Nantes Waterfront – Belem Ship

The winding River Loire runs directly through Nantes and several bridges connect the city to the standalone I’le de Nantes. The river banks are an eclectic collection of historic and modern buildings and there are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy the view. Located on the south bank of the Loire when in port, the elegant 3-mast ship ‘Belem’, is not to be missed. Board this historic ship for a tour or take pictures from the riverside as you enjoy a glass of wine.

Another ship located on the river bank is Le Maille-Breze, an old navy battle ship that offers guided tours.

10. Jardin Japonais

Located a short bike or taxi ride to the north of the city, Jardin Japonais is a botanical garden with a beautiful collection of Japanese plants, trees and architecture that will leave you feeling relaxed in nature. Escape the bustle of the city and enjoy a picnic lunch in ambience in this hidden gem of a park.

11. Le Lieu Unique

Le Lieu Unique is the national centre for contemporary arts and music in Nantes and its located in an old biscuit factory near the train station. The venue is an eclectic mix of arts and performance and there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to catch a show during your visit. View the venue programme here and see something ‘unique’ during your stay.

12. Room escape games

Room Escape games have popped up in cities all over the globe and the offering in Nantes is particularly excellent. If you fancy a challenge, an escape rooms are a fun afternoon or evening out in the city. Complete the activity with friends or your partner and try to escape in time. There are many options with different themes, but La Ligue des Gentlemen and John Doe Escape Game are our favourites. Plus, they’re both centrally located so you can walk there from your hotel. **insert links**

2-day Nantes itinerary example

Morning – Enjoy a continental breakfast and coffee in a traditional corner café. We recommend Creperie Saint-Pierre. Start your day with a sightseeing tour of the main sites – Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne , the Water Mirror and Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul. They’re all within walking distance of each other.

Afternoon – Head further into the city to see the liveliness of the main square. On a weekend you’ll often find live music and performances and a buzzing atmosphere. Browse the small bakeries, gift shops and impressive Passage Pomeraye arcade.

Stop by the Natural History museum and spend a couple of hours browsing the pre-historic exhibitions and ant farm.

Evening – Go out for a nice dinner by the river bank (see our restaurant recommendations below) and enjoy the vibrant nightlife on offer; whether you want a relaxing wine bar or bustling pub atmosphere.

Morning – Head straight to the central island that divides the river (Ile des Nantes) to see one of the highlight attractions of the city – Les Machines des L’ile . Spend your time exploring the intriguing and interactive machines, take the guided tour of the museum and board the giant elephant for a ride across the park.

Les Machines des L’ile is located on the River Loire waterfront, right next to the impressive Belem ship and some excellent panoramic views of the city centre. Go for a stroll along the river and stop by O Deck restaurant for a lunch with a view.

Afternoon – Cross the bridge to the city centre and grab a spot of lunch (be sure to eat before 2pm as restaurants close early and re-open for dinner). Go for a stroll around Jardins des Plantes botanical garden to rest your legs after a long morning of sightseeing. It’s a peaceful environment to spend a few hours before refreshing at your hotel.

Evening – Check out the events schedule at Le Lieu Unique , Nantes’ cultural hub for performances, arts and music.

If you’re staying in Nantes for longer than two full days, there are plenty of museums, parks and architectural masterpieces to visit in this historic city.

Eating out in Nantes

Eating out in Nantes can be both expensive, with many fine dining experiences, or reasonably priced and simple in a quirky cafe or restaurant. Our restaurant recommendations include a selection of each!

Our recommended restaurants:

L’Atlantide 1874 – If your top priority in Nantes is trying some exquisite French food, L’Atlantide 1874 will satisfy your taste buds like no other. This fine dining restaurant has beautifully presented courses that will keep your taste buds on edge from starter to dessert and everything in between. The atmosphere is ambient and it makes an excellent special occasion dinner.

La Civelle – Located just south of the river in the small former fishing village of Trentemoult, La Civelle is a classy but quirky restaurant with an excellent view of the Loire river as it splits into two. Stop here for a thrilling outdoor lunch on the river or arrive on an evening for fine French food and an excellent selection of wines and cocktails – the atmosphere is excellent. We recommend ordering the Cote de Boeuf (rib steak) to share. The restaurant is a 12 minute drive from the city centre or 13 minutes via bus (number 1 or 3).

180G Pizza – A short walk across Haudaudine Bridge to the south of the city centre, 180G pizza is a small but suave pizza place with very reasonable prices. The stone baked pizzas are excellent with a beer and there are plenty to choose from. Stop here for an early dinner after visiting Les Machines des L’ile.

O Deck Restaurant – O Deck is a little on the pricier side but it tastes good and the views and location of this eatery are amazing. This ‘floating restaurant’ dining experience takes place on a boat on the south bank of the River Loire, right next to the Les Machines des l’ile carousel. We’d recommend stopping here for the lunchtime special whilst visiting the attraction. Don’t forget to order the mango cheesecake! O Deck’s top floor is also a bar so feel free to come here for sunset drinks.

Budget friendly

Creperie Saint-Pierre – Creperie Saint-Pierre is one of the top-rated places to eat in Nantes. Order a sweet or savoury crepe (or both!) from a diverse menu of options and grab a table outside to watch the world fly by. This is our favourite breakfast spot in Nantes, although you can enjoy lunch or dinner here too.

Suppli Factory – Have you ever heard of a Suppli? We hadn’t either until we started exploring the food of Nantes. This central café offers a selection of magical balls of yumminess – rice and a filling of your choice, wrapped into a compact ball and then fried. They’re cheap, tasty and different, excellent for a quick lunch or snack on-the-go.

Thaigan – Located a 5-minute walk north-east of the city centre, this tasty Thai restaurant offers cheap but flavoursome Thai street food dishes. Dining here is authentic and friendly.

Top foods to try in Nantes:

Gâteau nantais – A sweet treat that dates back to the 18 th century, this buttery cake is flavoured with almonds and rum. It’s rich but surprisingly light.

Beurre blanc sauce dishes – Order fish or chicken marinated in the locals’ famous sauce – Beurre blanc. It’s a tangy but delicious concoction of shallots, black pepper and a regional wine called Muscadet.

Entrecôte – Entrecôte is a world-famous cut of beef from the rib area of the cow. This French classic is often served with fries and there are entire restaurants dedicated to this single meal, paired with red wine (there’s no menu!). It’s delicious!

Muscadet – A crisp white-wine created from the Melon de Bourgogne grape in the Loire region of France. This refreshing wine is can be found in most bars and restaurants and it’s used often in cooking.

Nantes Nightlife

For a small city, the nightlife in Nantes is vibrant, lively and there are plenty of places to go. Weekends consist of locals and visitors enjoying a nice meal in one of the central restaurants and then standing outside for drinks. All bars are within walking distance of each other and there’s a very social vibe in the air.

Rather than the rave/nightclub scene you’d find in Paris and other European cities, Nantes nightlife has low-key wine bars, plenty of social pubs and a mix of student and quirky bars. The busiest places for an evening out are by the colourful arches of the Loire riverbank or around Place de La République.

Here is a selection of some of our favourite pubs and bars:

Gigi’s Irish Pub – a lively pub serving up pints and hearty food, located right next to the cathedral. It also has an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy the sunshine and embrace the jovial atmosphere. 920: La Cave à Manger – If French wine tickles your taste buds, this bar is sure to excite you. Set in a sophisticated venue in the centre of Nantes, you can try a selection of wines from across the country. The vibe is relaxed and smart.

Le Hangar à Bananes – Banana Hangar/Shed in English, this converted warehouse is now home to a variety of vibrant bars, restaurants and disco events. It’s located outside of the city centre on the Ile de Nantes and can be reached via the city tram/bus network with ease. Stop here for a fun drinking atmosphere in a cool setting.

Bootlegger – a dimly lit bar tucked back from a central alleyway, Bootlegger has an excellent selection of cocktails and beers. It serves a small selection of tapas, perfect for snacking with your drink.

Where to stay in Nantes

As Nantes is such a compact city, you can reach all of the attractions on foot. Hotels and hostels are pretty cheap so you should aim to stay somewhere central. The only downside to accommodation here is the seemingly lack of complimentary breakfast in most hotels. It’ll cost you between 10 and 15 euros. Here are our top recommendations for every budget, all located well for exploring Nantes on foot.

Luxury hotels

Radisson Blue Nantes – No doubt the most luxurious hotel in Nantes and one of the top-rated hotels, the Raddisson Blu is the top choice for those that want the best on offer. Prices are often sub 100 euros per night.

Hotel Sozo – A modern hotel with a twist. This four-star boutique accommodation is within a 19th-century chapel, creating a unique design that you’ll love! It’s both luxurious and beautiful to look at.

Mid-range / Budget friendly

Seven Urban Suites – A four-star hotel within a 12-minute walk of the city centre, just across the bridge to the south. The rooms are modern and spacious and spa facilities are available. Provides good value for the price. If you plan on using the spa facilities, check opening times beforehand as advance booking is needed and the times can be restrictive.

Mercure Nantes Centre Grand Hotel – Another grand four-star hotel in the centre of town is the Mercure. It’s very reasonably priced for the quality of the hotel and facilities include a bar, fitness centre and workspaces.

Hotel Nantes Centre Passage Pommeraye – Situated right in the heart of the Passage Pommeraye shopping area, this basic but well-maintained hotel is in one of the best locations for exploring the city. It’s good value and has a nice breakfast.

Unusually, you won’t find many or any hostels in Nantes city centre! As it is so cheap, we’d recommend booking a budget hotel or rent an apartment/room on Airbnb.

Nantes Airbnb rentals

An alternative option that we highly recommend is renting an apartment on Airbnb. There are plenty of central options available and you often get much more space than a hotel room, perfect if you plan on staying for longer than a few days and want to cook some meals yourself.

Compare the current Nantes rentals on Airbnb

Nantes visitors’ tips

• Our top Nantes travel guide tip is to rent a bike from one of the many docking stations and explore the city on two wheels. It costs 1 – 5 euros for a 1 – 7-day subscription and every half hour of riding is free so aim to make short trips before docking your bike. Visit the Bicloo website here for more information.
• Accommodation in Nantes is very budget friendly; however, many hotels charge for breakfast. Choose a hotel with complimentary breakfast and fill yourself up for a busy day of sightseeing. It can also be cheaper to head out to a local café and you get to experience a new breakfast location every morning.
• Instead of a hotel, rent a private apartment on AirBnB and cook your own meals a few times during your stay. Carrefour and LIDL supermarkets can be found throughout the city.
• Many of the attractions here are free or cheap and everything is within walking distance. Skip public transport and taxis and navigate Nantes on foot with Google Maps.
• Eating out prices can vary wildly. Research ‘cheap eats’ restaurants on Tripadvisor or see the menu prices before arrival to find an eatery within your budget. We’ve also included some of our own recommendations above.
• Learn some basic French phrases and you’ll be able to navigate your way around Nantes with ease. Plus, the locals will appreciate you going to the effort!

We hope you enjoyed reading our complete Nantes travel guide. If there’s anything we’ve missed that you’d like to know about or you have your own suggestions, let us know! It’s a small but welcoming French city that we love coming back to and provides a reasonably priced alternative to Paris.

THANKS FOR READING! IF YOU LIKED OUR ARTICLE, SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS OR PRINT IT OUT FOR YOUR TRIP. FEEL FREE TO  CONTACT US  WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE…

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13 Things to do and see in Nantes | France

Last Updated on 20/06/2022 by secretmoona

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Travelling to Nantes at the end of December, early January, I thought that Nantes would be quiet, rainy and cold. I assumed there wouldn’t be much things to do in Nantes. Well, I was partially wrong. Although it was cold and it rained most days, there was an abundance of things to do and see in Nantes. The capital of the Pays de la Loire is an exciting city.

Located on the estuary of the Loire River, the city called the “Venice of the West” is like the new kid on the block. In light of its past, as a former slave trade city, Nantes is now reinventing itself as a cultural and artistic hub. As a vibrant and young metropolis, Nantes offers great scenery and numerous cultural and gastronomic activities. I did a lot during my three-day trip, so here are my top 13 things to do in Nantes, the City of Art.

Best things to do in Nantes – France

Discover the city with a greeter   .

As mentioned above, there are lots of activities to do in Nantes. If you want to know the city’s story, I recommend using a “greeter”. What is a greeter, you ask? Greeters are people who live in Nantes or neighbourhood and are passionate about their city and region. The volunteers share their passion with visitors on free guided tours tailored to each visitor’s interests. It can be a one-to-one visit utterly different from the guided tours we see around with a horde of tourists following a guide holding an umbrella. 

I spent my afternoon with  Jacques   and explored the city in a structured way. I was impressed by how knowledgeable and patient he was. Thanks to him, I could discover places that I would not have visited otherwise or wouldn’t have known about their history.  If you would like to book a greeter next time you are in Nantes or other cities, for that matter, all you need to do is to go to their

Walk along the city or ride a bike    

The fantastic thing about Nantes is that not only the city is full of pedestrian streets, but as soon as you set foot on the pavement, cars magically stop to give way. I have to say that it’s a beautiful feeling. As a pedestrian, you feel like you own the roads. But you still have to be careful and watch out for the trams! Nantes is a pedestrian-friendly city, so you can about walk anywhere. Last summer, a project called “Follow the Green Line” was launched to help visitors explore the city and see all there is to see in the city.

Nantes is also a bicycle-friendly city and the many bike paths and bike stations are a statement of that. You can hire with Bicloo or Detours de Loire and see the most attractive sights in Nantes and Loire Valley.

Le Nid / Tour Bretagne      

Tour Bretagne  is Nantes’ only skyscraper, and although it isn’t pretty at first glance, it offers a superb viewing spot. For just €1 or free with the Nantes Pass, you can access the  Nid  (nest in French), a bar with a panoramic view over the city. Once you reach the 32nd floor, you are faced with a fantastic sight of Nantes. The bar has an interesting decor; the body of a stork-heron hybrid serves as the bar, while the neck and eggs serve as tables and seating. 

  J ardin Japonais, Ile de Versailles     

This charming artificial little island is situated along the riverbank of Erdre. The inspired Japanese zen garden is too peaceful and beautiful to miss. Wandering through the garden and exploring the waterfalls, rock ponds and exotic plants, I thought I was in  Japan . The garden was unique on a beautiful day, so I can only imagine how beautiful it will be in spring with all the flowers in full bloom. 

Following on from the zen garden, you can take a stroll along the quaysides of the river or even take a boat ride. 

Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul  

Nantes has several religious buildings, but the  Cathédrale Saint-Pierre , located at the place from which it takes its name, is the grandest. The striking Gothic cathedral dated back to the 15th century and took over 400 years to build. As well as the magnificent design, history lovers will be pleased to know that they can also view the tomb of Francis II (French:  François  II), the Duke of Brittany and his wife, Marguerite de Foix. The well-defined sculpture is made of marble. You can climb up the nearby stairs to have a better view.   

7 Impasse Saint-Laurent, 44000 Nantes

Château des Ducs de Bretagne / Castle of the dukes of Brittany

The castle built in the 13th century was the residence of the Dukes of Brittany before the French royals came in around 1500. The castle looks superb outside, especially at night with the lights illuminating it. However, I didn’t get the WOW factor when entering the courtyard. The court looked like a mismatch of buildings of different styles, each amazingly designed through. 

Now the castle houses the  Nantes History Museum  showcasing the city’s evolution from the era of the slave trade to now. It’s free to enter the castle courtyard and walk around the ramparts. However, accessing the museum isn’t. Having said that, you can access the museum for free with Nantes Pass; otherwise, it’s €8. 

4 Place Marc Elder, 44000 Nantes

Passage Pommeraye 

It’s not everywhere that you can find a shopping arcade which has neoclassical decor, luxury shops and a photo-worthy spot. The 19th century   Passage Pommeraye  is just that. Built around 1843, it has an impressive staircase and archways. The grand decor made the passage the favourite place where the local shop.  

20 Passage Pommeraye, 44000 Nantes

Place du Bouffay 

The square in the oldest part of the city is perhaps the most touristic and lively in Nantes, with many restaurants with terraces and crêperies good for a drink or lunch. Wandering in the pedestrian streets like Rue de la Juiverie or Rue des Carmelites, you see some of the few remaining timber-framed houses and stone buildings. The medieval architecture is evidence of Nantes’ history with Brittany. If you walk further on Rue des Échevins, you will come across a Gothic fireplace coming right out of the wall. I thought it was incredible that they left it.

Ile Feydeau  

When exploring  Ile Feydeau  with Jacques, I had to wear my glasses as I thought my eyesight was getting worse. The townhouses, which used to be homes to the wealthy merchants, look like they are leaning. These significant buildings were built on sandy soils hence why they are now leaning. My guide quickly explained that Nantes used to be separated by rivers, making it difficult for locals to reach the rest of the city without a boat. Since the town was surrounded by water, it got the nickname “Venice of the West” until the canals were blocked and replaced by streets. I wondered if they were still safe to be habitable, and Jacques assured me they were. When visiting, be sure to spot the mascarons, door and window ornaments inspired by spirits of the sea.   

Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery    

Much like several port cities in Europe, Nantes was financed by the slave trade. Being the first city in France to ship enslaved people, the creation of the  memorial  commemorating the abolition of slavery as well as the history of Nantes was not well received by all. Most families wanted to forget this period of history; however, some families were happy to share their history books.  

The stern and dark memorial is located in an underground corridor. The idea was for people walking inside to experience the feeling of entering the slave ships. The wall is filled with a timeline so people can read about the expeditions and the names of the ships that departed from the port. Outside, little rectangular lights illuminate the pavement. When you look closer, they represent the ships involved in the slave trade and the main African and American trading posts. 

Quai de la Fosse, Nantes

Le Lieu Unique

Le Lieu Unique  is a cultural complex which opened in the former factory of LU (Lefèvre-Unique) in 2000. Much like the name, this place is unique. It is now a cultural hub for exhibitions, concerts, theatre and dance performances. You can treat yourself to a nice lunch or snack in the bistro, browse through the books in the bookstore or even relax at the Turkish bath! My visit coincided with the Japanese exposition  Komorebi , and since I love anything Japanese, I was pretty happy. 

2 Quai Ferdinand Favre, Nantes     

Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes 

About ten years ago, two artists ( François Delarozière  and Pierre Orefice) had the brilliant idea to make an old shipyard into what is now the location of the fun activities.  Les Machines de l’Ile  (machines of the isle) in one of the remaining islands – Ile de Nantes – is like the incubator of the creative metropolis that is Nantes. The Grand Éléphant (great elephant) is to Nantes what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The part wooden part steel creatures are innovative and futuristic and inspired by Jules Verne, a native of Nantes. 

Since the main attraction, the Grand Éléphant, was sadly undergoing a facelift, the warehouse  Galerie des Machines  (machine gallery), which hosts several creatures and tells the background behind the creatures, became the main attraction. People (children and not-so-young people) were queuing to take a tour of some of the sculptures. A few minutes from the warehouse is the  Carousel du Monde Marins  (€8.50), a gigantic carousel with marine creatures. The carousel is on three levels: the ocean floor, depths and boats.

Parc des Chantiers, Boulevard Léon-Bureau, Nantes 

If you want to explore the island further, you can head to the  Hangar a Bananes , a former warehouse that stocks bananas and pineapples from Africa. Now it has been changed to restaurants, bars and an exhibitions hall.

Where to eat and drink in Nantes

France is known for its good cuisine, so when in Nantes, expect nothing but great food. With a link to Brittany and being so close to the Ocean Atlantic, lots of the food is fish or seafood-based. The restaurant list in Nantes is so extensive that Nantes Tourisme has even published a book dedicated to restaurants, “Guide des Tables de Nantes”! Some of the places I visited are listed below:

• Esperance Cafe (25 Quai François Mitterrand, 44200 Nantes) is a specialist coffee shop in Iles de Nantes. The nice and freshly roasted coffee smell emanating from the shop will make everyone stop by to grab a latte or espresso.
• Les Pieds dans le plat (13 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau) This restaurant was recommended by the hotel and I am glad they did because the food was fantastic. You should definitely add this to your food itinerary.
• Au bureau de Nantes (10 Quai Francois Mitterrand) is a lovely brasserie great food and friendly waiters. The décor is very English like nut contrast well with the surroundings.
• Brasserie La Cigale (4 Place Graslin) The restaurant with an Art Nouveau style décor is worth a look even if you don’t eat there. I was planning to have dinner there but since it was fully booked, I ended up having a pancake!
• Crêperie Heb Ken (5 Rue de Guérande) offers delicious crêpes and galettes in a welcoming environment.

Practical info:

Getting there: I travelled to Nantes by plane from London Gatwick via Easyjet. You can also travel by train (less than 3 hours from Paris) You can find more information about the different mode of transport here (SNCF – https://en.oui.sncf/en/) or Nantes airport – https://www.nantes.aeroport.fr/fr

Accommodation: I stayed at Ibis Nantes Tour de Bretagne (19 Rue Jean Jaurès, 44000 Nantes). Ibis Styles Place Graslin (5 Rue du Chapeau Rouge, 44000 Nantes). I had a wonderful stay in both hotels: rooms are simple but clean and comfortable. The Ibis Nantes Tour de Bretagne even has a free bicycles rental for its guests. I say handy! Both are nice, quiet and well located.

Moona’s secrets tips:

• Most of the historic town is car free so be sure to park your car and use public transportation.
• Nantes is famous for its “Petit LU” (buttery biscuit) and berlingots, so be sure to bring back some to your family and friends.
• Did you know that the bus we all take daily was created in Nantes in 1826?

Nantes has been wonderful despite the rain, and the locals are equally wonderful people (Big shout out to Jacques). Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comment. I can’t wait to come back again in summer to explore, do and see more amazing things. Until then, Merci Nantes!

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48 thoughts on “ 13 Things to do and see in Nantes | France ”

Great post and suggestions! I haven’t been to Nantes yet but it looks really nice. Thanks for sharing so much detail!

Thank you Mike. I hope you visit one day. Nantes is an amazing city!

Thank you so much!

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Great post – I haven’t visited France much but would definitely like to explore some more 🙂 x

Thanks – France is a beautiful country with a lots to see. Highly recommended 😉

I love the idea of having ‘greeters’ to show you the city! I haven’t been to much of France before, but it looks like something I should definitely consider!

It’s definitely a good and cheap alternative way. Useful when you visit a city with lots of history!

Great suggestions! It can be so hard to find decent places to go end of Dec/early Jan so good to know that this is an option. I’m going to pin it for later, too!

Your photos are gorgeous! I’ve never heard of one before but LOVE the idea of having a greeter in a new city to tell you all about their home.

Thank you! I highly recommend using them if you can.

Wow! It looks like there is A LOT to see in Nantes. Thanks for this, Moona!

Yes and I was surprised myself!

What a beautiful spot to visit!! Looks absolutely stunning through your pics. Glad to have visited your site 😀

Thank you for stopping by!

You made me discover a city from my country that I have never been to! (and we’re talking quite a big city… shame on me!). Great article and great tips you wrote!

Thanks Lucile! I hope you will get to visit one day.

How I love the cities that have volunteers giving you free or pay as you wish tours. It really helps you understand the city from a local’s perspective. Nantes looks like has a lot to offer to a traveller.

Thanks for the comment. I find that greeters are more like friends that tour guides. Definitely worth considering on your next trip!

Very detailed post, thanks for sharing! I absolutely love all your photos!

I love how detailed this post is! I’ve never been to France but I’d love to go (who wouldn’t?!) and I’m definitely filing this away for then. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

Thank you, I’m glad you found it interesting 😉

OOOh so many great things to do there! Love this guide. I would love to eat and drink there! So many great restaurants to choose from too 🙂

Yes, Nantes is known for its good food.

What an absolutely beautiful city and so many great things to see and do! The jardin japonais in particular looks stunning – there is a similar beautiful garden in Toulouse if you are ever there as well!

Thanks Laura! I’m planning to go to “la ville rose” so will defo check that out!

I’m ashamed to say I had never heard of this town before reading all about it here! I’ve now officially added it to my bucket list 🙂 I can’t believe how beautiful the views from Tour Bretagne are and what a bargain at just a one euro entry fee! Such a great and comprehensive post!

Thanks Jackie! I couldn’t believe it myself. This is the cheapest paid attraction I’ve ever been!

The imitation Japanese garden was my favorite! 💛

One of mine too 😉

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Oooh I love the sound of the roads! I mean it’s not often you can feel safe on the streets with cars giving way to you!! Nantes looks like a fab place to explore by foot and get lost in!

Totally agree! It’s a great feeling to know that you are not risking your life every time you cross the streets (like in Paris!)

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What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Nantes again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to hoping for a better 2021 with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

– Cirkeline // RejsRejsRejs If you want even more tips for your trip to Nantes, you’re welcome to read our article on Nantes’ fantastic sights

Thanks for your comment. Nantes is a laid-back city, great for a city break! Also hoping for loads of travel soon.

The architecture here is just stunning! It also seems as though there is a fair amount of history in this town. Would be nice to make a visit one day.

A new destination for me to explore! A bit of dark tourism which my husband and I are always intrigued with. Thanks for all of the detailed info.

This is such a great post filled with great details and research. I’ve never visited and I will be saving this as now Nantes is on my radar

Thank you for introducing me to the beautiful Nantes! I’d love to rent a bike and take in all of the wonderful architecture.

I had never heard about Nantes before. Thank you for introducing the place to me Loved reading your article.

Wow it looks like such a neat city full of amazing history! The slave port is interesting too. I didn’t know they sadly had a part in that.

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Best Things to Do in Nantes, France

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Visit Nantes, France

Nantes is an unmissable destination in north-western France. Located along the Loire River, Nantes was the capital of the Duchy of Brittany, and it has a rich history that dates back to Ancient Roman times. Today, Nantes is the capital of the Pays de la Loire region and offers incredible attractions.

Is Nantes worth visiting? The answer is YES! From a gorgeous château and a stunning cathedral to the unique Machines de L’lle, Nantes is a paradise for art and architecture lovers. The city is also an eclectic creative hub with a vibrant atmosphere, thanks to the presence of many university students. Nantes is also popular for its picturesque riverbanks and world-class vineyards producing Muscadet white wine.

In July and August 2024, Nantes will host football competitions during the  Paris Summer Olympics 2024 . Keep reading to discover our suggestions for things to do in Nantes, France, for an unforgettable holiday.

Are you planning a trip to Nantes last minute?

Below are some of the best Nantes tours, hotels, and more!

• Book your flight tickets to Nantes Airport (NTE); Book your train tickets to Nantes
• Book your transfer from Nantes Airport to the city

Looking to travel around Nantes independently? Click here for the best car rental rates in Nantes .

Top Experiences and Tours in Nantes

• Nantes Walking Tour
• Panorama Tour of Nantes with E-bike
• Nantes Traditional Food Tour

Want to save money at museums & attractions in Nantes? Get your hands on a  Nantes City Card !

Top Nantes Accommodation and Lodging

• Hotel Voltaire Opera Nantes Centre (best location, close to the Théâtre Graslin)
• SOZO Hotel (an incredible hotel set in a 19th-century chapel)
• L’Hotel (central hotel with wonderful views of the castle)
• Click here for the full list of favorite hotels in Nantes

Don’t leave for Nantes without travel insurance!

Compare plans, prices, and coverage with  Travel Insurance Master , a comparison site that will find the perfect fit for you amongst the world’s leading programs.  Travel Insurance Master is also the best place to look for senior travelers .

What to Do in Nantes, France

What to do in Nantes for a day or a weekend getaway? Here is the list of the things to do in Nantes, France, for an unforgettable holiday. If you need some tips on how to combine them, check out our Nantes 2-day itinerary .

1. Château of the Dukes of Brittany

The Château of the Dukes of Brittany (Château des Ducs de Bretagne) is one of the top attractions in the city. The old seat of the Dukes of Brittany, this fortified château lies in the historic heart of Nantes. Built from the 14th to the 18th century, it has been listed as a historical monument since 1862.

Château de Nantes is one of the best castles in Brittany , or at least former Brittany! Stroll around the Château’s courtyard and ramparts before entering to explore the different rooms and the Nantes History Museum. The museum displays nearly 1150 collector’s items and hosts numerous temporary exhibitions.

DID YOU KNOW? Anne de Bretagne , one of the most famous Duchess of Brittany and born in Nantes, was married to two Kings of France!

The best part of the château is the 500-meter path at the top of the ramparts, from which you can see Nantes from every angle. Even more awesome? Access to the ramparts is free! Château des Ducs de Bretagne: Place Marc Elder, Nantes; Opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.30 am to 7 pm.

2. Saint-Pierre Cathedral

Nantes’ stunning Cathedral is just wonderful. Its construction has spanned over 400 years and boasts flamboyant Gothic architecture.

About the size of Notre-Dame-de-Paris, Saint-Pierre Cathedral features a white stone façade surrounded by two massive towers with terraces from which you can admire the city.

One of the top Nantes attractions, you will love its interior. Step inside the church to see the central arched nave with beautiful ornaments, a grand pipe organ, and the tomb of Francis II, the last Duke of Brittany, considered a French Renaissance masterpiece. Then descend to the Romanesque crypts to discover its treasure and learn about the church’s history.

Following the fire of 2020, the Cathedral is under re-construction works and will be closed until the beginning of 2025

3. Machines de l’Ile

If you are looking for Nantes tourist attractions for all the family, head to the Ile de Nantes . Once home to Nantes’ shipyards, the west side of the Ile de Nantes has today a unique attraction you shouldn’t miss.

The Machines de l’Ile are articulated interactive machines representing giant animals inspired by the imaginative writings of Jules Verne and the fanciful gizmos of Leonardo da Vinci.

These extraordinary machines are a Nantes must-see and were brought to life by a group of artists and machinists. The most famous ones are the Carrousel des Mondes Marins , l’Arbre aux Hérons (the Heron Tree), and the Grand Elephant , 12 meters tall, which can carry 52 passengers. You can also see how the machines are built and repaired in one of the hangars of the former shipyard.

Machines de l’Ile: Parc des Chantiers, Boulevard Léon Bureau; Opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm (10 am to 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday)

4. Passage Pommeraye

Built in 1843, this shopping center is where to shop in style. Located between Rue de la Fosse and Rue Santeuil, the Passage Pommeraye has stunning architecture. Similar to the covered passages of Paris, the one in Nantes boasts a monumental decorative staircase, neo-Renaissance sculptures, and an iron and glass roof that fills the venue with natural light.

The Passage Pommeraye is a photo-worthy sight, so you should check it out during your Nantes sightseeing, even if you are not a shopaholic. But if you want to spoil yourself with some French shopping, you will be thrilled to know that Passage Pommeraye features luxury and classic boutiques.

5. Théâtre Graslin

Located in the square with the same name, Théâtre Graslin is one of the oldest and most beautiful theaters – opera houses in France. Built in the late 18th century in the Italian neoclassical style, the Théâtre Graslin has a gorgeous main façade adorned with sculpture. The Theater’s most striking characteristic is the waterfall cascading down from its rooftop.

The venue is even more spectacular at night when the building is illuminated and creates a magical environment.

Once inside, you will see an elegant auditorium with blue velvet seats, wall embroidery, and a fresco-painted ceiling.

The Théâtre Graslin is an iconic landmark, and there are countless cafés, bars, and restaurants around it. If you wonder what to see in Nantes with beautiful architecture, you can’t miss Place Graslin and its opera house!

6. Stroll along the Banks of the Loire River

One of the features that make Nantes so beautiful is the Loire River . Taking relaxing walks along its banks is one of the best activities to do in the city. Perfect in every season, locals spend their late afternoons after work and Sundays strolling along the Loire River.

On the River’s left bank, you will find the Musée de l’Esclavage , one of the most important memorials in the world devoted to the slave trade and its abolition, which is free to visit. It is a solemn reminder of Nantes’ history as the most active slave-trading port in 18th-century France, paying tribute to those who struggled – and still struggle – against slavery in the world.

The river also creates a neighborhood island called Ile de Nantes , which is completely surrounded by its waters. While on the island, don’t miss the Quai des Antilles, where you will find wide paths for strolling, bar terraces, and art installations.

Musée de l’Esclavage: Quai de la Fosse – Passerelle Victor-Schœlcher, Nantes; Opens everyday from 9 am to 8 pm.

7. Jardin des Plantes

Nantes’ Jardin des Plantes is among France’s most remarkable gardens thanks to its 10,000 species of plants. Located in the heart of Nantes, just a stone’s throw away from the Château of the Dukes of Brittany, the Jardin des Plantes is nearly seven hectares and is among France’s four largest botanical gardens.

A visit to the Jardin des Plantes is one of the best things to do in Nantes, France, for a relaxing day. Stroll around to marvel at the colorful and fragrant flowers and tall trees like a 220-year-old magnolia and two giant sequoias that are 150 years old. The best parts of the Jardin des Plantes are the Palm House , with plants from tropical America, and the Greenhouse , displaying orchids from Africa and Asia.

8. Musée Jules Verne

If you are a Jules Verne books fan, you cannot miss his museum when you visit Nantes. The famous Jules Verne was born in Nantes in 1828 and spent a part of his life in the city. This French writer, playwright, and poet was a pioneer of science fiction, and among his most famous works is the novel “Around the World in Eighty Days.”

Visiting the Jules Verne Museum is one of the best things to do in Nantes. Housed in a large red-and-white bourgeois mansion from 1878, the Musée Jules Verne is divided into eight rooms where you can learn all about the life and works of the French writer.

The museum’s top exhibit is the library displaying Verne’s extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and illustrations. Musée Jules Verne: 3 Rue de l’Hermitage, Nantes; Opens from Saturday to Wednesday, from 10 am to 7 pm.

9. Take a Day Trip

What to do in Nantes, France, if you have an extra day? Nantes is surrounded by beautiful towns that you should consider visiting.

A great day trip idea is the charming Clisson , a picturesque town about 30 minutes from Nantes. Clisson is easily reachable by train and car, and among its main attractions is its medieval castle that sits atop a hill and from which you can admire stunning views.

Another wonderful day trip from Nantes is to Pornic , located 50 km southwest. Within easy reach by train and car, Pornic is a popular resort town on France’s Atlantic Coast. It’s a great getaway during which you can relax, explore the medieval town, lie at the beach, and taste flavorful seafood. Check out our article with the best day trips from Nantes .

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You can take Nantes out of Brittany (as when regional boundaries were redrawn during WWII), but you can't take Brittany out of its long-time capital, Nantes (Naoned in Breton).

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes

Nantes' quirkiest sight is this fantasy world – a serious and seriously wacky workshop with mechanical contraptions galore displayed in plant-filled…

Château des Ducs de Bretagne

Forget fusty furnishings – light-filled rooms inside the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany house multimedia-rich exhibits detailing the city's history. Look…

Musée d’Arts de Nantes

A six-year renovation job by London architects Stanton Williams has done wonders for Nantes’ art museum, open again since 2017 inside the historic Palais…

Musée Jules Verne

Overlooking the river, this is a magical museum with 1st-edition books, hand-edited manuscripts and cardboard theatre cut-outs. Child-friendly interactive…

Jardin des Plantes

Opened in 1860, this exquisitely landscaped park is among France's most interesting botanical gardens. Century-old magnolia and mulberry trees, Japanese…

Mémorial de l’Abolition de l’Esclavage

Down by the water, 2000 brick-sized glass plaques embedded in the quay-side pavement scream out the names of slave-trading ships that regularly set sail…

Cathédrale St-Pierre et St-Paul

Inside Nantes' Flamboyant Gothic cathedral, the tomb of François II (r 1458–88), Duke of Brittany, and of his second wife, Marguerite de Foix, is a…

Le Cale 2 Créateurs

Edgy temporary art exhibitions, events and happenings fill this old industrial slipway, shaped like a wedge of cheese at the foot of Île de Nantes'…

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Oct 31, 2023 • 6 min read

From riverside villages and medieval towns to prehistoric art and fairytale bays, there are some great day trips from Nantes.

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Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Things to Do in Nantes (France)

15 Best Things to Do in Nantes (France)

Nantes will always be known as the capital of Brittany, even though it’s now in a different region. The Dukes of Brittany ruled their lands from here until the Duchy was united with France in the 16th century and their former seat of power is still one of Nantes most commanding buildings.

The Loire is Nantes’ lifeblood and has brought the world to the city’s doorstep, allowing trade and industry to flourish. Take the city’s Navibus shuttles to ride the marvellous machines on the Île de Nantes or lounge by the riverside in the bohemian village of Trentemoult on the left bank.

Lets explore the best things to do in Nantes :

1. Château des Ducs de Bretagne

The old seat of the Dukes of Brittany is the final château on the Loire before it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

The fortified palace is in the eastern part of the old town, although it’s hard to miss the hefty walls and towers that encircle the refined Grand Logis where the dukes lived.

The castle was built in the 13th century and occupied for 300 years by the Dukes until becoming a French royal residence in the 1500s.

The courtyard and ramparts are free to enter, but you pay to visit the Nantes History, which reveals the different stages in the city’s evolution, from the slave trade to its time as an industrial port.

The green space by the deep moat, the  Douves du Château, is a spectacular spot for an afternoon break in summer.

2. Les Machines de l’Île

The west side of the Île de Nantes is inhabited by whimsical animatronic creatures inspired by Jules Verne’s writings and Leonardo da Vinci’s fanciful gizmos, and brought to life by the artist François Delaroziere.

All these extraordinary machines are interactive: The Grand Éléphant for example is 12 metres tall and carries 52 passengers on its back for a walk in which you can feel the vibration of every step.

The Carrousel des Mondes Marins is a gigantic carrousel with moving marine creatures, and the Arbre aux Hérons is a climbable sculpture with ramps and stairways in the form of a vast tree.

The indoor Galerie des Machines has many more sculptures and shows you how they were designed and built.

3. Passage Pommeraye

Between Rue de la Fosse and Rue Santeuil, this shopping arcade from 1843 isn’t just a sophisticated place to shop but an ingenious piece of architecture and a photo-worthy sight.

The passage was built on a steep slope, and it adapted to the nine-metre height difference with a clever intermediate floor between the two street levels.

Passage Pommeraye is still as resplendent as 160 years ago, with neo-renaissance sculpture and stonework, iron and glass roofs that fill the galleries with natural light, wrought iron lamps and handrails – not forgetting its classy selection of luxury boutiques.

4. Jardin des Plantes

Classified as one of France’s “remarkable gardens”, the Jardin des Plantes packs 10,000 species into its seven hectares.

The gardens are right in the middle of the city, just ten minutes on foot from the Château des Ducs de Bretagne.

It’s no ordinary park: The Palm House here is a fabulous late-19th-century metal and glass structure with plants from tropical America, while the three greenhouses to the sides have orchids from Africa and Asia.

As you tread the paths you’ll see mature trees like the 220-year-old magnolia and two huge sequoias that were planted 150 years ago.

5. Île Feydeau

When you’re exploring Île Feydeau you may wonder why this district just south of the centre is called an island, or why streets have names like Quai Turenne when there’s no sign of water.

Well, it was an island up to the 1930s when one of the arms of the Loire was blocked off.

Before the 18th-century Feydeau had been uninhabitable marshland when a land reclamation project created a dignified quarter for the city’s wealthy merchants to live.

Their flat-fronted homes are beautiful, with iron balconies, mansard roofs and carved stone grotesques.

The ground beneath remains soft, which sets some of these townhouses at an endearing slant.

6. Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle

Nantes’ Natural History Museum has a fine setting in the city’s old mint, and has galleries for every branch of natural science: There are zoological, paleontological, mineralogical, ethnographical and a host of other collections from fields with long names, assembled since the 1700s.

The specimen guaranteed to turn heads is the fin whale skeleton in the zoology gallery, more than 18 metres in length and suspended from the ceiling.

The Vivarium, which was added in 1955, and was refurbished recently, has a set of terrariums with snakes and other exotic reptiles.

7. Nantes Cathedral

Begun in 1434, it took more than 400 years to build the city’s cathedral.

Construction continued through the 1600s in the flamboyant gothic design despite it being long out of fashion by then, because it matched the earlier work.

Another intriguing titbit is that Nicolas Fouquet, the high-living Superintendent of Finances in Louis XIV’s court, was arrested in front of the cathedral by d’Artagnan in 1661. He’d remain a prisoner for the last 20 years of his life.

You have to make time for the Tomb of Francis II, the Duke of Brittany, which is held as a French renaissance masterpiece . It dates to 1507 and has haunting sculptures from white Carrara marble.

8. Cours Cambronne

Part of a new city district built in the 18th century, Cours Cambronne is a magnificent square between two 180 metre-long terraces of neoclassical mansions.

Step along the regal central avenue to see the statue of Pierre Cambronne, a military general born in Nantes and injured in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Sixteen of the glorious pilastered mansions on the square are listed in the inventory of French historic monuments.

One that deserves special mention is Hôtel Scheult,  towards the top by Rue Piron which has a newly restored facade.

9. Mémorial de l’Abolition de l’Esclavage

It helps to remember that much of Nantes’ Ancien Régime splendour was financed by the slave trade.

Nantes was the first city in France to ship slaves on an industrial scale and during the 18th century  the largest proportion of France’s slave ships departed from this port.

So the memorial commemorating the abolition of slavery next to the Loire on Quai de la Fosse is extra poignant.

Since the end of the 20th century the city has started confronting this chapter in its past, and in 2012 it unveiled a sombre and austere memorial.

In an underground corridor you’ll read about the many expeditions made from Nantes, and even the names of the ships involved.

10. Musée de l’Imprimerie

Nantes has had a long relationship with the printing press since publishing its first title, Les Lunettes des Princes by the Breton poet Jean Meschinot, in 1493. This museum was founded in 1986 by master printer Sylvain Chiffoleau and typesetter Robert Colombeau, and has built up an astonishing collection of manual and mechanical printing presses.

There are also intaglio plates, lithography plates, dyes and historic typesetting moulds.

And if all that sounds baffling to you then you can take the tour to get the inside track on the printing industry in Nantes, and see how all this arcane equipment was used.

11. Place du Bouffay

This square is at the centre of Bouffay, the oldest district in Nantes.

The place names, “Place du Pilori” (pillory) or Rue de la Juiverie (Jewry), give you an sense of the age of this district.

On the pedestrian streets you’ll come across half-timbered houses from the 1400s side by side with restaurants, crêperies and some of the city’s liveliest nightspots.

The square as you see it now is from the 1700s, but there are evocative remnants of a more distant past: On the  corner of Rue des Échevins there’s a gothic fireplace poking right out of the wall and dating to the 15th century.

12. Jules Verne Museum

Jules Verne was born in Nantes in 1828 and spent most of his first 20 years around the city, although he didn’t hold the place in the highest esteem after a woman he courted in his late-teens was married off by her parents to one of Nantes’ rich landowners.

The museum devoted to Jules Verne is in a large bourgeois mansion from 1878 and though it has no connection to Verne it isn’t far from where his parents lived in Bas-Chantenay.

In the galleries you can inspect an engaging jumble of books, games, manuscripts, portraits, documents belonging to the writer and bequeathed to the museum by his heirs.

13. Trentemoult

On the left bank of the Loire, Trentemoult is a former fishing village belonging to the town Rezé.

It’s only a few moments from the centre via the Navibus ferry, and many hipsters, artists and well-off families from the city have settled in Trentemoult.

You can navigate the maze of scurrying streets with brightly painted cottages from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The houses have a curious design, set over three floors, with the lowest used only for storage as the Loire would burst its banks regularly.

On the quayside are trendy vintage shops, restaurants and crêperies with terraces next to the river.

14. Tour Bretagne

At 144 metres Tour Bretagne is one of France’s tallest buildings outside the capital.

It’s just north of Nantes’ Centre-Ville and the unapologetic rectangular outline is visible almost anywhere you go.

The tower clashes with old Nantes and hasn’t always been a popular addition to the skyline, but the vistas from the top are superb.

If you have the Nantes Pass you can go up to the panoramic bar and outdoor observation deck for free; if not it only costs €1. You can pause there for a little while to identify all the landmarks below.

The bar, Le Nid (The Nest), is a nice surprise with seats and tables designed like eggs and a soft sculpture of a kind of stork-heron hybrid snaking through the space.

15. Food and Drink

The cuisine in Nantes can be quite difficult to pin down because the city is at a meeting point between Brittany and the Loire Valley, and is both inland and served by the Atlantic Ocean.

But without a doubt seafood and fish should be part of you plans: Mussels, lobster, crabs, king prawns, mullet and seabass are all as fresh as can be.

The oysters in Nantes are divine, and even better when paired with a light Muscadet, which is produced in the countryside outside the city.

For afters, Gâteau Nantais is a soft pound cake made with a decadent measure of rum.

15 Best Things to Do in Nantes (France):

• Château des Ducs de Bretagne
• Les Machines de l'Île
• Passage Pommeraye
• Jardin des Plantes
• Île Feydeau
• Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle
• Nantes Cathedral
• Cours Cambronne
• Mémorial de l'Abolition de l'Esclavage
• Musée de l'Imprimerie
• Place du Bouffay
• Jules Verne Museum
• Trentemoult
• Tour Bretagne
• Food and Drink

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Ring in the new city of Nantes

By Condé Nast Traveller

Visiting Nantes

Expect the unexpected in this fantastically creative French city. By Rick Jordan.

Squinting in the sunshine, my nose pinkening in the surprising spring heat, I take in the view. To my left are elegant, metal-framed warehouses and a huge yellow crane, like the fist of Ted Hughes's Iron Man dropped - crash! - from the heavens. On the other side, a grass-fringed slipway descends into a river whose opposite bank holds shoals of grey-capped townhouses. My view is a little bumpety, however, for beneath me is an elephant. Not one of flesh and blood, but of leather and wood, steel and oil. I'm 12 metres off the ground, being carried along in a canopied howdah. Engines thump, gears clank, ears flap, and between the beast's tusks a varnished trunk snakes around, sights its target and sploshes foaming water towards a pack of children who scream with delight and scatter.

One inhabitant of Nantes described it to me as a 'city of the unexpected'. To be honest, I had no particular expectations, and until recently, neither did many French people, who would steer past this capsized shipbuilding port on their way to holidays on the Ile de Ré or the Biscay beaches. But Nantes has been cannily reimagining itself as a place of contemporary art and startling invention - not to mention an enviably relaxed urban lifestyle - and now it's worth at least a week of anyone's time.

Pictured: Le Grand Elephant at Parc des Chantiers on Ile de Nantes

Nantes in context

The city is set on the Loire; not the aristocratic Loire of willowy meadows and fairy-tale châteaux, but the strong-wristed, blue-collar river of hard slate and bone-white tufa stone. Here, 48km from the Atlantic, the river starts to turn maritime and there's the tang of salt in the air, a sense of the world beyond. Its waters and sailing ships are keenly observed by the young Jules Verne, who was born here in 1828 and would send his heroes on voyages extraordinaires to the moon, the centre of the earth and around the world. I suppose we're all descendants of Phileas Fogg, that early adopter of globalisation. While Verne's frock-coated adventurers were equipped with sextants and lantern-jawed determination, I have a three-day travel pass and a crumpled map, but what I discover would have made his eyes boggle.

My base camp is the Hôtel La Pérouse, well-positioned between the dense, medieval district of Bouffay and the grands palaces of the 18th century, and on the banks of a river. Or rather, what was once a river that ran here, the Erdre, until its waters were banished underground between the wars. Now it is a broad boulevard down which flow cars, bicycles and trams. You can see this vanquished riverscape on a Lilliputian diorama in the Château Musée. I conquer the castle on my first afternoon. It's bulging with brickwork and has a proper moat filled with water; these days, eight centuries after ground was broken, the château has relaxed its guard and allows people to picnic on its grassy banks. Inside, there's a sugar-white ducal palace which now holds the city's history. I spiral up the stairs and pick rooms at random to find ships' figureheads suspended from the ceiling, German machine guns and carnival grotesques. In one painting, a powder-wigged fat cat looks out, paunch straining his silver waistcoat, one hand on a coffee spoon and the other passing a lump of sugar to his lapdog. In another room, a century-old box of biscuits sits, undunked, behind glass. The two are inextricably linked, for trade brought chocolate and coconut, vanilla and sugar to Nantes, and with other ingredients like that you can make delicious petits fours.

Pictured: The Château Musée in the old town of Nantes

Discovering the new Nantes

The old LU biscuit factory, with its strawberry-sundae tower, is just opposite, on the other side of the tracks that carry the Paris-Saint-Nazare express. If the chateau is the medieval heart of Nantes, LU is its 21st-century cortex, since it reopened as Le Lieu Unique cultural centre. Its rough-edged aesthetic has been preserved; the loos, down bunker-like steps and coated with graffiti, remind me of the warehouse clubs of my youth, except here the hand-driers actually work. I go exploring and find an amphitheatre set for a string quartet, its patchwork ceiling made out of pieces of Loire fishing boats. The programme skips from outsider art to modern magic and pulsing techno nights; but locals are just as likely to come here for a light lunch or a steam in the hammam. I wander outside, plonk myself in a deckchair and order a panache.

The idea of transforming blighted, industrial landscapes is nothing new, but in Nantes it's being done on a remarkable scale. Le Lieu Unique showed that it could be done, and tilted the city on its axis a little. A few hundred metres further south is the Ile de Nantes, and this is a work in progress: once a furnace of shipbuilding yards, chemical plants and sugar refineries, it now has a new, white-hot sense of purpose.

Pictured: Le Lieu Unique

The regeneration of Nantes

I almost don't notice the zebra crossing, but hang on a minute: this is France, and Belisha beacons don't belong here. Actually, it's an installation work by the artist Angela Bulloch, playing with notions of rules and codes. There's no traffic, so I can't see if drivers play with the notion of mowing me down as I stroll across.

If the isle has a Prospero, it's Jean-Marc Ayrault, the former mayor of Nantes (and now the French PM), whose vision halted the city's decline after heavy industry ran out of steam in the 1980s; if it has an Ariel, it's Jean Blaise, a slightly enigmatic figure with a Cheshire Cat smile, who for the past five years has been spiriting artists to Nantes to create a series of outdoor works. The zebra crossing is one such piece, and there are many more along the banks of the Loise, all the way to Saint-Nazaire. One of the most striking is Daniel Buren's Les Anneaux: 18 steel hula hoops by day, by night glowing haloes of green, red and blue. I stand by one, sight the Jules Verne Museum opposite and move about until it fits neatly within the circular frame.

Pictured: Les Anneaux by Daniel Buren on quai des Antilles in Nantes

The attractions of Nantes

The five-kilometre-long island is excellent for a meandering Sunday walk or bike ride, using old crane tracks as a path. You might start at the School of Architecture, which has the most unusual student union bar I've ever seen: a fibreglass blob that resembles something from Barbapapa . Further west is a dark pavilion that looks like a Berlin museum of contemporary art but is, in fact, the city's courthouse, a piece of architectural noir by Jean Nouvel with a polished, jewel-box interior. The warehouses contain towards the isle's western tip once ripened bananas, but now contain restaurants, bars and clubs, and further galleries. At one former shipyard, however, sparks still fly. Big enough to house an airship, this is the home of my elephant and a whole mechanical menagerie, Les Machines L'Ile. A huge slow-worm inches along its branch: a monstrous flea whirrs overhead carrying two be-goggled pilots. There's a genuine sense of wonder, and a slight whiff of danger, a feeling that the creatures might just start thinking for themselves. The latest grand projet was unveiled last summer, the Marine Worlds Carousel: a pimped-up merry-go-round, three storeys high, in which you can pilot your own manta ray, pirate fish or tentacled squid.

Pictured: street art in Nantes

The Château du Pé

Twenty minutes' drive along the Loire, in the village of Saint-Jean-de-Boiseau, is an 18th-century chateau with a revolutionary agenda. I've been to art hotels with provocative sculptures in the lobby before, but at Château du Pé six creative couples have been let loose to reimagine its whole interior. One room is empty save for a chair, but press panels set in the wall and you'll find two beds and shelving for clothing. In La Grande Question room the virginal walls are covered with bas-reliefs of reproductive organs, contraception devices and more. One for the honeymooners, perhaps? My favourite is downstairs, a corner room with parkland views in which black nocturne paint oozes down the walls and box-frames hold hairy-legged spiders and bejewelled butterflies. The stuff of dreams, or nightmares.

A few minutes' drive away is another outdoor artwork. On a quiet, leafy bank of the Loire, a single-masted fishing boat is trying to wriggle its way over a lock wall and into open water. It was created by Austrian artist Erwin Wurm, and has real personality, full of yearning: just one more heave of its stern, a twist of its propeller, and the little boat will reach the river.

Pictured: a bedroom at Château du Pé

The Nantes quayside

Freedom is the message behind the most recent arrival on the Nantes quayside. The city's sweet tooth had a rotten core, for the boats that set sail didn't just bring back sugar and spice but financed almost half the country's slave trade. Opposite the Palais de Justice, a pathway of tiny glass ships - each representing a vessel that sailed to Africa - glints like fish scales and leads me to steps cut into the quayside. Below deck is a concrete walkway, with river water splashing on one side, and a chorus of voices - Bob Marley, Abraham Lincoln, Toni Morrison - etched on the other. At first I find the memorial too wordy, but then I'm aware of distant shouts and creaks, the soundtrack of the Atlantic several lifetimes ago, and with the gloom about me and the concrete timbers above, the fathoms of time are reduced to shallows. One line by the St Lucian poet Derek Walcott catches my eye: 'Where are your monuments, your battles, martyrs? Sirs, in that gray vault. The Sea. The Sea is history.'

Pictured: La Fabrique on Ile de Nantes

Les Chants d'Avril

Sometimes, though, you want nothing more profound than a nice glass of Muscadet and a menu. A short walk from Le Lieu Unique, on a street enjoying a weekend lie-in, I find Les Chants d'Avril. It's dressed in the cosy bistro uniform of wood pannelling and leather banquettes, and chef Christophe Francois describes his food as bistronomique . 'We wanted to create a real sense of terroir,' he tells me. 'We're in a region with really fresh produce: fish caught at night is in the kitchen by morning. You don't play tricks with the ingredients.' Sitting beneath a 1950s mural of the city's old transporter bridge - which would ferry workers over the river - I'm brought a menu myst è re, which reveals itself to be cod in a creamy sauce with black Korean garlic, then deliciously light tempura langoustines and mackerel; the trio of mini desserts, the café gourmand,[/i] includes a chocolate brownie sporting a Nantes biscuit.

Pictured: a cool public space at La Fabrique

CNT Editors

Adam Turner

Connor Sturges

CNT Editors , CN Traveller

The old town of Nantes

With traffic-free boulevards and magnolia-filled squares to roam, Nantes is a fine place for the would-be flâneur .[/i] When your feet tire, there are trams to hop on, criss-crossing east and west along the Loire, and north to south along the Erdre. The brown-and-white timber buildings and narrow streets of the Bouffay area I save for nocturnal forays: I walk round in cirlces on my first night, but by the third I'm taking short cuts, guided by the illuminated bell tower of Sainte-Croix, where an angelic quartet blows silently on silver trumpets. In the magical way of Old Towns everywhere, you can find yourself in a deserted square with the clamour of voices just out of sight, like a theatre audience before curtain up; turn the corner and it's as if the whole town is there, drinking and debating outside bars and cafes.

If you haven't seen the 1961 film Lola by Jacques Demy, watch it before you go, for the footage of dockside cranes still pulling a wage, and for the beautiful, feline Anouk Aimee, raincoat thrown over her black cabaret basque, hurrying through the Passage Pommeraye. This ornate shopping arcade, built in 1843, is unchanged, its neoclassical statues leaning nonchalantly against iron lights. And you should start one morning with breakfast at La Cigale, an Art Deco brasserie where you feel as if you're eating inside a Toulouse-Lautrec painting. The walls look sugary and edible, iced with colourful mosaic tiles and mirrors; at night it's twinkly and bright, and the steak-tartare trolley enters stage left for a table-side serving.

Pictured: looking at the old town of Nantes through Les Anneaux

Nantes from the river

On my last afternoon in Nantes, I step onboard a river bus and we chug westward, following the same course ast he boats watched by Verne. After days walking its banks, I'm glad to be on the river at last. Ten minutes later, I step ashore in the South of France (which, according to French weather forecasts at least, begins on the Loire's southern banks. Trentemoult is where herring fishermen and sea captains lived, but its clapboard houses are now popular with artists, and the shutters and doors are bright with paintbox colours. Children play in the narrow lanes, cats yawn and stretch under lavender bushes. I peer into a window and an elderly neighbour wanders by and tells me she's 90 years old, and her father - or maybe her grandfather, I don't quite hear - was the last captain to work on the Pacific route. I have a table reserved at one former seaman's house, a restaurant called La Civelle, and order fat Breton oysters and Loire eel, sizzled in butter and served in a saute pan with potatoes. Outside, tables are set precariously on the bank of the river; as daylight fades, more wine is poured and the conversation grows louder.

The next morning I leave Nantes, and as the taxi heads toward the station, we pass a multi-storey car park. It's unlovable and ugly, and one imagines it will be that way forever. But you never know. Next time I visit, it will probably have been transformed into something quite wonderful.

Pictured: on the river

Where to sleep, eat and drink in Nantes

WHERE TO STAY Hôtel La Pérouse Combines a strong architectural statement with genuine comfort. Nifty black-out curtains ensure a good sleep; the shaving mirror is the most user-friendly I've tried. 3 allee Duquesne. Doubles from €74 ( www.hotel-laperouse.fr )

Hôtel Pommeraye Modern rooms with balcony windows in a 19th-century building near the classic arcade. 2 rue Boileau. Doubles from €59 ( www.hotel-pommeraye.com )

Sozo Hotel So close to the Jardin des Plantes you can hear the leaves rustle, this former nunnery now sports a groovy white interior and Ron Arad chairs, but has kepte its stained glass and stonework intact. Room 208 has the best view. 16 rue Frédéric Cailliaud. Doubles from €97 ( www.sozohotel.fr )

L'Hôtel Smallish rooms, but well-located for the Old Town. Book room 50 to get an eyeful of the château, or a room with a terrace. 6 rue Henry IV. Doubles from €95 ( www.nanteshotel.com )

Le D'O Cleverly converted 1930s bateau mouche with a bed that slides out of a kitchen unit. 5 quai Henri Barbusse. Doubles from €160. ( www.actlieu.com )

Château du Pé Cutting-edge rooms on an 18th-century estate. Saint-Jean de-Boiseau. Doubles from €75 (www.chateaudupe.fr)

Radisson Blu Hotel , Nantes The city's largest hotel opened in late 2012 in Nantes' grand 19th-century courthouse, complete with spa and a contemporary restaurant in the former court rooms (the trial judge section is now a wine cellar). 6 Place Aristide Briand (00 33 2 72 00 10 00; www.radissonblu.com )

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK La Cigale Old-school Art Deco treasure; go for breakfast or for a lunchtime seafood platter. 4 place Graslin. About €35 for two ( www.lacigale.com )

La Civelle Bag a table on the water's edge and feast on oysters, lobster and more. 21 quai Marcel Boissard, Trentemoult. About €45 for two ( www.lacivelle.com )

Les Chants d'Avril Fifties-style bistro with on-trend seasonal cooking. 2 rue Laënnec . About €45 for two ( www.leschantsdavril.fr )

Le 1 Smart-suited riverside restasurant serving artful Breton reinventions. 1 rue Olympe de Gouges. About €50 for two ( www.leun.fr )

Crêperie Heb-Ken Nantes was once the capital of Britanny, and its taste for crepes remains. If you are ravenous, go for the potato, lardon and Reblochon option. 5 rue de Guérande ( www.heb-ken.fr )

Au Chien Stupide Indie-chic bar with anglepoise lights and a good choice of wines by the glass. Open till 2am. 4 rue des Carm**é lites

Maison des Vins de Loire Book a wine tasting with English-speaking Solène Franquet; you can buy, too. Try La Domaine de Bellevue from rising star Jérôme Bretaudeau. 15 place du Commerce ( www.vinsdeloire.fr )

Le Lieu Unique One-stop shop for food, culture and more. Quai Ferdinand-Favre ( www.lelieuunique.com )

Le Stakhanov Hip music venue in Bouffay district with well-curated live acts and DJs. 7 rue de la Bâclerie ( www.stakhanov.fr )

La Provence Great list of wines by the glass. On small street just behind Place Royale. 3 rue de l'Echelle (00 33 2 40 48 78 71)

Café de Orangerie Lovely brasserie in the Jardin de Plantes, with artfully placed pots of herbs and vegetables outside. Menu from €10.50. Pont Général de la Motte Rouge (00 33 6 64 53 61 23)

Song Saveur & Sens Glamorous Vietnamese restaurant beloved by the city's movers and shakers. 5 rue de Santeuil (00 33 2 40 20 88 07; www.restaurant-song.fr ).

Le Lait de Mai Classic bistrot fare on Quai de Versailles on the River Edres. 22 quai de Versailles (00 33 2 40 35 65 97).

Le Bouchon Gleaming white tablecloths within; courtyard tables outside beneath a large magnolia tree. 7 rue Bossuet (00 33 2 40 20 09 44).

WHERE TO SHOP Traditionally, rue Crébillon was the city's smart shopping street, but the traffic-free streets around Rue Santeuil in the Graslin are better, with boutiques such as Marie Rebérat ( www.marie-reberat.com ), Le Faubourg des Demoiselles and Sur la Pas d'Emma

Gautier-Debotté Chocolate treasure trove with exquisite Victorian interior. 9 Rue de la Fosse

Ferré Perfect displays of fruit and vegetables, with freshly made salads to take away - handy for a picnic in the grounds of the Natural History Museum. 22 rue Racine ( www.ferre-lefruitier.fr )

Fromagerie Beillevaire Also has a stall at the Marché de Talensac (while you're there, visit We Love Sushi for the best California rolls in town, Vincent Guerlais for pretty patisserie and La Petite Boulangerie)

WHAT TO SEE Jules Verne Museum Has some marvellous models of Verne's fantastic machines, and great views over the river. <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Q7g&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&q=jules+verne+museum+nantes&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDgwAHsxKXfq6-gUlORnxWkgNjrdjF3R8u8r89L3C5W1TT3THT0v0_AG_2ulEtAAAA"> 3 Rue de l'Hermitage (<span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Q7g&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&q=jules+verne+museum+nantes+02+40+69+72+52&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDgwAHsxKXfq6-gUlORnxWkgOjeR3vZ-sldWm7yvfPEddbF5HyTvM2ALcVREEtAAAA"> 00 33 2 40 69 72 52; www.nantes.fr )

GETTING THERE Flybe ( www.flybe.com ) flies to Nantes from several UK airports. See www.nantes-tourisme.com for details of many of the places mentioned, as well as a useful food guide.

Pictured: Le Stakhanov

Published in Condé Nast Traveller January 2013.

Nantes: Jewel of the Loire Valley

History, Good Eating, Scenic Rivers Define City

Nantes, France, like countless other cities, has long been known as the Venice of the West for its prominent water features. The River Loire courses through the center of the city, and the River Erdre, a tributary to the Loire, also runs through Nantes; it is reputed to be one of the most beautiful rivers in France and is the scene of romantic dinner cruises. Nantes, the capital of the Pays de la Loire region of northwestern France, was named by Time magazine as the most livable city in Europe in 2004. Nantes was the capital of Brittany until boundaries were redrawn during World War II, but it still retains much of its Brittany identity.

Nantes is the sixth largest city in France and is considered one of the most desirable places to live in the country. It especially holds appeal for young professionals who enjoy the arts and culture. For the traveler, this means the nightlife in Nantes is quite lively.

Getting There

Nantes is easy to get to on the train or plane. It is served by many train lines, including the high-speed TGV line from  Paris Montparnasse  train station; this trip takes about two hours. The  Nantes Atlantique Airport  also serves the area, and you can fly there from Paris, London, and many other cities in France and the U.K. A shuttle connects the airport with the city center and Sud railway station; the trip takes about half an hour. Cabs and buses also will take you from the airport to the city center. You'll find several hotels near the train station, with botanical gardens as a pleasing backdrop.

Eating and Drinking

Nantes is full of interesting restaurants, bars, bistros, and cafes, as you would expect in a city its size. The region's vineyards produce wines such as Muscadet and Gros Plant, both excellent with fish and seafood. Try oysters with the local Muscadet. Fromage du cure nantais is a cow's milk cheese developed by a priest near Nantes and is also excellent with Muscadet.

Near the Passage Pommeraye and the Place Royale is the Maison des Vins de Loire , the Loire Valley Wine Center, located in the former "wine port" of Nantes, where you can buy the local wines of the Loire Valley . 

Fish and seafood, from the sea or from the Loire (pike, perch, and eels) is a local specialty, often swimming in beure blanc, a regional treatment for fish. Also try a gateau nantais , a cake that's a mixture of sugar, almonds, butter, and Antilles rum.

Getting Around

The historic center of Nantes is easily walk-able or if your hotel is close to the train station, you can just hop a tram; a ride is extremely affordable.

Nantes has an oceanic climate, which means it rains throughout the year but has mild summer temperatures, so if you're looking for a summertime vacation spot you probably won't swelter in, Nantes might just be the place. For details on the weather, take a look at website Nantes Weather and Climate.

What to See

On top of the must-do list is lunch at La Cocotte in Verre on the Ile de Versailles, followed by a relaxing boat trip down the River Erdre, with its gorgeous scenery and famous mansions on both sides.

Other things to see include the below:

• City Center: Nantes is a very old city, and in the city center you'll see examples of the architecture of its medieval past, along with more recent 19th-century architecture. This area is bursting with brasseries, bistros, and cafes and a great place just to stroll around and get a feel for the city.
• St. Pierre and St. Paul Cathedral: Begun in 1434, the Gothic cathedral wasn't finished until the end of the 19th century. After a 1972 fire, the interior was restored. Inside the cathedral's 11th-century crypt is a museum of religions.
• Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany): Nantes' castle has recently undergone restoration and is the second oldest building in Nantes after the cathedral and one of the famous castles of the Loire Valley. The inner courtyard is built in the Renaissance style with blistering white tufa, and the Nantes History Museum is inside. Nearby is the Place du Commerce, a largely pedestrian area that offers a good array of restaurants. 
• Passage Pommeraye : A passage between two streets with different elevations, the rue Santeuil and rue de la Fosse, begun in 1840, now is home to interesting shops and cafes.
• Jules Verne Museum and House: If you like the writing of Nantes' own Jules Verne, don't miss this museum with multimedia exhibits.
• Jardin des Plantes de Nantes:  This botanical garden is a tranquil spot not far from the train station in the city center.
• Musee des Beaux-Arts:  The highly celebrated fine arts museum is built around an airy courtyard and features works ranging from Italian primitives to modern art from such giants as Kandinsky, Monet, and Picasso.
• La Tour LU: This picturesque tower was built in 1905 and restored in 1998 near the entrance of a former Lefevre-Utile (LU) biscuit factory. Go inside to see a panoramic view of Nantes.
• Ile de Versailles: This is an island in the Erdre with a Japanese garden you can easily reach by foot. You can also take boat rides down the Erdre to the Ile de Versailles and the garden.

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Nantes – What to Visit: 1 day itinerary (map included)

• March 12, 2023

Home > France > Nantes – What to Visit: 1 day itinerary (map included)

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Nantes is one of the most populated cities in France, and is often overlooked on itineraries around the country. But you’re reading this post, which means you’re probably planning to visit Nantes 😉.

The city of Nantes was once the largest port in France, becoming one of the country’s most important sites for the slave trade during the 18th century. With the French Revolution, the city went into decline, but eventually re-established itself with a strong industrial presence.

Nantes has reinvented itself over the years and is now a cosmopolitan city and one of the cities with the best quality of life in France.

Throughout this post, you will find all the information you need to visit Nantes : when to visit, how many days to spend in the city, what to visit, suggestions for accommodation/restaurants and much more.

What is the best time of year to visit Nantes?

Located in the Brittany region, the weather in Nantes can be a bit uncertain. The warmest time of the year and most likely to have good weather is from May to September, so I recommend visiting Nantes at this time.

However, this does not mean that you should not visit Nantes at other times of the year. For example, I visited Nantes in mid-February and, although it was a bit chilly, it was quite sunny.

How many days do you need to visit Nantes?

Nantes is a city with a few points of interest and, some of them, a bit distant from others. Although it is possible to visit Nantes in just one day (that’s what I did), if you want a calmer visit and include some of the city’s museums in your itinerary, then I suggest spending 2 days in the city.

How to get to Nantes?

Nantes has one airport – Aéroport Nantes Atlantique , which has several connections to countries in Europe and beyond. Some of the major cities in Europe with direct flights from Nantes include :

• France (Paris, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Strasbourg, …)
• Portugal (Porto, Lisbon, Faro, Madeira)
• United Kingdom (London, Bristol, Birmingham, …)
• Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga, …)
• Geneva (Basel, Zurich, Geneva)
• Italy (Naples, Milan, Florence, Venice, Rome, …)
• Belgium (Brussels)

Outside Europe, there are some direct connections with Turkey, Canada, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal.

However, there are other ways to get to Nantes , namely from other cities in France. For example, there is a train that connects Paris to Nantes and takes only 2 hours. In my case, I travelled by Flixbus bus from Rennes (the journey takes about 1h20 and costs only 6 €).

How to get from Nantes airport to the city centre?

The simplest and quickest way (except for taxis, of course!) to get from Nantes airport to the city centre is by shuttle bus . The service is available daily and costs 9 € (the ticket can be purchased from the driver).

There are buses every 20 minutes during the week and every 30 minutes at the weekend. There are 3 stations available in the city, which you should choose depending on what is most convenient for you:

• Lieu Unique

However, there are other options combining trams and buses:

• bus no 38 to Pirmil + tram no 2 or 3
• bus no 38 to Grenaraie + tram no 4
• bus no 98 to Neustrie + tram no 3

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: I suggest you check the most up-to-date information, available on thi s website .

How to get around Nantes?

Some of the main points of interest in Nantes are far away, which means that it can sometimes be quite useful to use the public transport available in the city.

Individual tickets for each journey cost 1.7 € (bought from the machines) and a 24-hour ticket costs 6 €. I opted for the latter because the number of trips I was going to make did not make up for the use of individual journeys.

Tickets are valid on the entire transport network in the city (including tram, bus and ferry). However, they are not valid on the shuttle bus that runs between the airport and the city centre.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : For more information on public transport in Nantes, I suggest you check this site .

How to save some money in Nantes?

Depending on what you plan to visit in Nantes, it may make sense to buy the city pass which gives free access to various attractions in the city, as well as the public transport network and the shuttle bus from the airport 😉.

💡 EXTRA TIP: In my case, I chose not to buy the Pass Nantes , as it was not worth it. The best way to see if it pays off is to calculate the price of all the public transport journeys you plan to make and the attractions you will visit.

There are options for several journey durations. You can check the most up-to-date information here .

• 24 hours: 26€
• 48 hours: 35€
• 72 hours: 45€
• 7 days: 90€

Accommodation in Nantes

I chose to stay in a relatively centrally located flat – Cosy à Guist’hau . The flat was very spacious and had everything you need for a longer trip (kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine, coffee machine, microwave, …).

Despite being in an older building, it is clearly visible that the flat had been refurbished and was in excellent condition.

However, there are other accommodation options available in Nantes:

Activities & tours in Nantes

💼 TRAVEL INSURANCE: Unexpected events happen anywhere in the world, so I always recommend getting travel insurance. I regularly use Heymondo , which offers some of the highest coverages on the market at very competitive prices. As well as covering medical expenses, Heymondo’s insurance also covers the loss or theft of luggage, electronic equipment and more. They also have a 24/7 customer service through their App. As A Ticket to Take Off reader, you get a 5% discount when purchasing Heymondo insurance . The purchase must be made using this link , and the price shown on the website already includes the discount.

What to visit in Nantes?

So that you can better plan your trip to Nantes, I’ll share with you a map of what to visit in Nantes:

» Île de Versailles

This itinerary in Nantes starts at the Île de Versailles, a small island in the river Erdre which passes through Nantes. The island was artificially created in the 19th century and is 1.7 hectares in size.

Originally used by naval carpenters, the island was transformed into a Japanese-style garden in 1983. The island is quite small but worth the visit.

» Botanical Garden

We moved on to another garden, this time a bit bigger. Also known as the Jardin des Plantes, the Botanical Garden is a pleasant space in the city.

On a Monday morning, there were several locals enjoying the sunny winter day that was 🥰. Walking around the garden, we can find some funny figures, making the visit even more fun!

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : Admission to the garden is free, with opening times varying according to the time of year. The opening times can be found here .

» Saint-Clément Church

The church of Saint-Clément Church wasn’t even on my original itinerary, but I decided to include it here on the post. Although I entered this church by chance, I thought it is worth a quick visit. It’s the first gothic-style church to be built in Nantes.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : Entry into the church is free!

» Castle of the Dukes of Brittany

The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany is a must-visit in Nantes. It is a fortress with 500 metres of ramparts and seven towers, linked together. The castle was built at the end of the 15th century by the last Duke of Brittany.

In fact, one of the activities I most recommend in the castle is walking around the ramparts. Entering through the main door into the walls, just climb the ramparts and follow the directions of the visit.

This is one of the best viewpoints in the city 😍.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : The visit to the ramparts of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany is completely free and can be done any day of the week from 8.30 am to 7 pm (or 8 pm in July and August).

On the premises, you can also visit the Nantes History Museum , which tells the history of the city. However, you need to buy a ticket to visit this part of the castle. The museum is closed on Mondays.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : The ticket to visit the museum costs 8 € (+2 € with an audio guide or +4 € with a guided tour), but is free with the Nantes Pass . There are some cheaper tickets for those under 25 years old or the City Museums Pass. You can find the most up-to-date information here .

» Water Mirror

As soon as you leave the Dukes of Brittany Castle, I suggest you visit the Water Mirror, located right in front of the castle. The thin layer of water there creates the ideal conditions for a beautiful photo of the castle reflected in the water.

» Cathedral of Nantes

Built in the 15th century, St. Peter’s Cathedral in Nantes is one of the most important religious monuments in the city.

Unfortunately, the Cathedral suffered a serious fire in July 2020, which caused severe damage. Thus, the building is closed to the public indefinitely while restoration work is carried out.

Anyway, it is still possible to admire part of the exterior of the Cathedral from the street where it is located.

» Sainte-Croix Church and Passage

It’s time to head for another church – Sainte-Croix Church . Built in the 17th century, this is another of the city’s churches. However, there is an important detail: it is in this church that Jules Verne was supposedly baptized in 1828.

Right next to the church, we find the entrance to the Sainte-Croix Passage . It is a covered passage of about 70 metres long. Currently, there are some art exhibitions inside.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : Admission to the church is free, and to the passageway as well. However, the passageway is only open from Tuesday to Saturday from 12 pm to 6.30 pm.

» Saint-Nicolas Basilica

The next thing to visit in Nantes is the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas. It is a neo-Gothic style basilica, whose construction began in 1844. However, the site where the basilica was built had already had other religious temples throughout the ages.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : Entry to the basilica is free!

» Place Royale, Place du Commerce and Place Graslin

We continue this itinerary towards 3 of the most important squares in the city. Right next to the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas, we find Place Royale . It was designed in the 18th century and its main point of interest is the monumental fountain located in the centre of the square.

Another square is Place du Commerce , where many people gather, as this is the location of one of the main public transport stations in the city.

Finally, we have Place Graslin , where we find the theatre that gives it its name (Graslin Theatre). The theatre is undoubtedly the centre of attention in the square. However, I recommend you also admire the facade of La Cigale.

Of the three squares, I have to admit that my favourite was Place Royale!

» Passage Pommeraye

Passage Pommeraye was, for sure, one of the places I most enjoyed visiting in Nantes 😉. It is a small 19th-century shopping gallery and its name comes from its founder (Louis Pommeraye).

The passage connects two streets (Rue Santeuil and Rue de la Fosse), and there is more than one entrance to the gallery.

Apart from a visit to the various cute shops there, I also suggest going up to the upper floors for the best photo opportunities.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : Admission to the Passage Pommeraye is free and opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm. You can check the most up-to-date information here .

» Trentemoult

Even though I didn’t visit this point on the itinerary (the ferry wasn’t operating the day I visited), I decided to include it as I believe it must be quite interesting.

Trentemoult is an area connected to Nantes via a ferry ride. Although the journey between the centre of Nantes and Trentemoult is short, this area of the city is entirely different from the rest of the town. It’s a great place to get lost while admiring the colourful small houses there.

» Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery

Returning to the centre of Nantes, I suggest a brief stop at the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery. Nantes was once one of France’s most important ports for the slave trade during the 18th century.

Thus, this memorial was created in 2012, in order to remember the past and to leave a warning for the future. Next to the river, we can see several plaques reminding us of all the slave ships that departed from Nantes. We can also visit an underground part of the memorial.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : Visiting the memorial is free and opening hours are 9 am to 7 pm from 16 May to 15 September and 9 am to 6 pm from 16 September to 14 May. You can find the most up-to-date information here .

» Les Machines de l’Île

It’s time to cross the Anne de Bretagne Bridge to visit another of Nantes’ islands – Île de Nantes. It is on this island that we will find Les Machines de l’Île .

Les Machines de l’Île is an entertainment and exhibition area which opened in 2007. In the place where we can now spend a good few hours enjoying everything this part of Nantes has to offer, there used to be shipyards.

Here we find several (mostly representing animals) robotic machines. The best known is the elephant, where it is possible to travel on its top on a small route on the island.

In my opinion, I thought this part of the itinerary was more suitable for those with children. I believe there are adults who may be interested in this kind of visit, but it was not my case at all. Even because the only thing we can do for free is to watch the elephant walk around.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION : Prices for each activity vary: Elephant ride (9.5€), Galerie des Machines (9.5€), Carousel of the Maritime World (9€). However, there are combined tickets for those who want to take part in more than one activity. All the information is available here .

💡 EXTRA TIP: The Nantes Pass has many advantages for visiting Les Machines de l’Île. So, if you want to visit this part of Nantes, it may be worth it to buy the Nantes Pass.

» Quai des Antilles

The last point I recommend visiting in Nantes is the Quai des Antilles. This quay results from the rehabilitation of the old port areas on this island of Nantes.

It is a very pleasant walk with one of the best views over the centre of Nantes. And this is where we also find Les Anneaux de Buren.

These rings, which light up at night, were created for a festival in 2007 and accompany part of the promenade on the Quai des Antilles.

Even though I didn’t visit any museums on my trip to Nantes, I thought I would include here 3 of the most important museums in the city for anyone who is interested. They are:

• Natural History Museum (admission 4 €)
• Jules Verne Museum (admission 3 €)
• Nantes Museum of Arts (admission 9 €)

Restaurants in Nantes

I had the opportunity to try two restaurants in Nantes, which I really enjoyed:

• Chez ta Mère (€€): pleasant space and had a daily menu for lunch, although with few dishes available, making it a more accessible option.

• L’Entrecôte (€€€): The restaurant usually has a queue, so it’s best to arrive before it opens (I arrived at 6.50 pm and there were almost 20 tables ahead of me). They only have one dish (entrecôte) that comes served with fries, but it’s really delicious. In addition, the service was very friendly.

Disclaimer : this post may contain some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy something through my links. This doesn’t represent any additional cost to you and you’ll be supporting my work here on the blog😊

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I am Mariana from Porto, Portugal . I am truly passionate about traveling and all things travel related. And that’s exactly what led me to create this page: so I can inspire others to travel and help plan all those trips with my tips and itineraries.

Click here to find out more about me.

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Your ultimate nantes travel guide 2024.

Welcome to Nantes, the mesmerizing city on the Loire River in western France. Known for its captivating castle, picturesque canals, and fascinating historical sites, Nantes is a must-visit destination. With its unique culture, charming locals, and endless attractions, it’s no wonder that Nantes continues to be a popular tourist attraction for people from all around the world. In this ultimate guide, you’ll find all of the best things to do and see while exploring the magical city of Nantes. You may also want to check out our Bordeaux travel guide !

Table of Contents

Top 5 Things To See And Do In Nantes

• Visit The Château Des Ducs De Bretagne : This impressive castle located in the heart of Nantes offers a glimpse into the city’s rich history and architecture. The castle has been restored to its former glory, with beautiful gardens, a museum, and exhibitions that provide a fascinating insight into Nantes’ past.
• Take A Stroll Along The River Erdre : One of the most picturesque spots in Nantes, the River Erdre offers visitors a chance to relax and take in the city’s beautiful scenery. You can walk along the banks of the river, take a boat trip or visit the Jardin des Plantes, a beautiful botanical garden located nearby.
• Explore The Machines De l’île : This one-of-a-kind attraction combines art, engineering and innovation to create a unique experience that is sure to impress. Visitors can see a giant mechanical elephant, a carousel with moving sea creatures, and a tree that moves and sprays water. It’s an unforgettable experience for both adults and children.
• Discover The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-Et-Saint-Paul De Nantes : This beautiful gothic-style cathedral is a must-see for anyone visiting Nantes. With stunning stained glass windows and intricate stonework, the cathedral is a true masterpiece of architecture and art.
• Sample The Local Cuisine : No trip to Nantes would be complete without trying some of the city’s delicious food and drink. Be sure to sample the famous Breton crepes, fresh seafood, and Muscadet wine, which is produced in the nearby vineyards. You can also visit the famous La Cigale brasserie, a historic restaurant that has been serving customers for over a century.

Where To Stay In Nantes

• The Historic Center : Nantes’ historic center is packed with charming medieval architecture and narrow streets that wind their way around the city’s main attractions. If you want to be close to the castle, the cathedral, and the Jardin des Plantes, this is the neighborhood for you. The streets are lively during the day, but things quiet down at night, so it’s a great spot for families or anyone who prefers a peaceful atmosphere.
• Saint-Félix : Located just south of the historic center, Saint-Félix is a vibrant neighborhood with plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants. It’s particularly popular with younger travelers, thanks to its lively nightlife scene and easy access to the city’s main train station. The streets are narrow and winding, but there are plenty of public transportation options available if you prefer not to walk.
• Île De Nantes : This up-and-coming neighborhood is located on an island in the middle of the Loire River. It’s home to a number of attractions, including the famous Machines de l’Île and the Nantes Atlantique Exhibition Center. The area has a trendy, artsy vibe, and there are plenty of cafes, galleries, and boutique shops to explore.
• Beaulieu : Beaulieu is a residential neighborhood located to the east of the city center. It’s a peaceful area with plenty of green spaces, including the Parc des Provinces and the Parc du Grand Blottereau. This is a great neighborhood for families or anyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center.
• Chantenay : Chantenay is located to the west of the city center, on the other side of the Loire River. This is a more working-class neighborhood, but it’s become increasingly popular with travelers in recent years. It’s a great spot if you’re looking for a more authentic Nantes experience, as it’s not as touristy as some of the other neighborhoods. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, and it’s well-connected to the rest of the city by public transportation.

Top Nantes Hotels

• Radisson Blu Hotel Nantes : Located in the heart of the city, this hotel boasts modern rooms with exceptional amenities. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the city from the rooftop bar or relax in the on-site spa.
• Hotel La Perouse : This charming hotel is located in a historic building in the heart of Nantes. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms with unique decor, as well as a delicious breakfast buffet in the morning.
• Okko Hotels Nantes Chateau : This eco-friendly hotel offers stylish rooms with a modern twist. Guests can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks in the evening, as well as access to a fitness center and sauna.
• Mercure Nantes Centre Grand Hotel : Situated in a beautiful 19th-century building, this hotel offers spacious and elegant rooms with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a drink in the on-site bar or relax in the sauna.
• Oceania Hotel De France Nantes : Located near the castle and the cathedral, this hotel offers comfortable rooms with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast each morning and relax in the on-site sauna and steam room.

Where To Eat In Nantes

Nantes is a city that offers a wide range of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. From Michelin-starred restaurants to cozy cafes and street food stalls, you’ll find plenty of culinary delights to explore. Here are the top 5 places to eat in Nantes that you won’t want to miss:

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• La Cigale : This iconic brasserie in the heart of Nantes has been a popular spot for locals and visitors alike since it opened in 1895. The ornate Art Nouveau decor is just as impressive as the menu, which features traditional French cuisine with a modern twist.
• Le Lieu Unique : This former biscuit factory has been transformed into a cultural center and creative hub, complete with a restaurant that serves delicious and inventive dishes. The menu changes regularly and features local and seasonal ingredients.
• Les Fils à Maman : This quirky restaurant serves up nostalgic dishes that will take you back to your childhood. From burgers and fries to mac and cheese, the menu is filled with comfort food favorites with a French twist.
• L’Atelier d’Alain : For a truly special dining experience, head to this Michelin-starred restaurant located in a charming courtyard in the heart of the city. Chef Alain Charbonneau creates innovative and refined dishes that showcase the best of French cuisine.
• La Braise : If you’re a fan of meat, this steakhouse is a must-visit. The menu features a wide range of cuts and cooking styles, from a classic sirloin to a flavorful wagyu beef.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner for two or a casual lunch with friends, these top 5 places to eat in Nantes are sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling fully satisfied.

How To Get Around Nantes

Getting around Nantes is relatively easy thanks to its well-developed transportation network. Here are some of the various methods of transportation around Nantes:

• Tramway : Nantes has an extensive tram network that covers the entire city and its suburbs. The trams run from early morning until midnight, with some lines operating until 1 a.m. on weekends.
• Bus : If you prefer to travel by bus, Nantes has an extensive network of buses that complement the tram network. Buses run from early morning until midnight and are particularly useful for reaching destinations that are not served by the tram.
• Bike : Cycling is a popular mode of transportation in Nantes. The city has a well-established bike-sharing system called Bicloo, which allows you to rent a bike for a short period of time. The city also has several bike lanes that make cycling safe and convenient.
• Walk : Walking is a great way to explore the city and discover its many hidden gems. Nantes is a pedestrian-friendly city, with many areas that are closed to cars.
• Taxi : Taxis are readily available in Nantes and can be hailed on the street or ordered through a taxi company. They can be a bit expensive, but they are a convenient way to get around the city.
• Car : If you prefer to drive, Nantes has a well-developed road network and several parking facilities throughout the city.

However, keep in mind that parking in the city can be expensive and difficult to find, especially in the city center. Overall, the best way to get around Nantes is to use a combination of these methods depending on your needs and preferences. With so many transportation options available, you’ll be able to explore the city with ease and convenience.

Nantes Weather

Nantes experiences a moderate oceanic climate with mild temperatures throughout the year. The weather is often influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which can bring cool and moist air, especially during winter.

• Spring (March to May) : Spring is a pleasant time to visit Nantes as the temperature starts to warm up, and the city begins to bloom with flowers. The average temperature ranges from 8°C to 16°C (46°F to 60°F), making it comfortable to explore the city on foot.
• Summer (June to August) : Summer is the peak tourist season in Nantes, with warm and sunny weather. The temperature can range from 14°C to 25°C (57°F to 77°F), making it an excellent time for outdoor activities and sightseeing. However, it can also get quite crowded during this time.
• Fall (September to November) : Fall brings cooler weather to Nantes, with the leaves changing colors, creating a beautiful scenic backdrop. The temperature ranges from 7°C to 17°C (45°F to 63°F), making it a good time to visit the museums and other indoor attractions.
• Winter (December to February) : Winter can be cold and damp in Nantes, with an average temperature of 4°C to 9°C (39°F to 48°F). However, the city still has a lot to offer during this time, with several winter festivals and Christmas markets taking place.

Overall, Nantes has a comfortable climate throughout the year, and visitors can plan their trip according to their preferences and interests. It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before your visit and pack accordingly.

Best Time To Visit Nantes

When planning your trip to Nantes, it’s important to consider the best time to visit in terms of weather, crowds, and events. The good news is that Nantes is a year-round destination with something to offer no matter when you go.

Summer is peak season in Nantes, with warm weather and long daylight hours. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the city’s parks and gardens, go on a river cruise, or attend one of the many outdoor festivals and events. However, keep in mind that the streets can get crowded with tourists, and accommodation prices may be higher than other times of the year.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds, consider visiting Nantes in the shoulder season, from March to May or September to November. The weather is still pleasant, and you’ll have fewer people to compete with when visiting the top attractions. Spring is particularly lovely in Nantes, as the city’s cherry blossoms and tulips bloom in abundance.

Winter in Nantes can be cold and damp, but it’s a magical time to visit if you don’t mind the weather. The city’s Christmas market and light displays are among the best in France, and the festive atmosphere is sure to warm your spirits. Just be prepared for shorter daylight hours and bring warm layers to stay comfortable.

Overall, the best time to visit Nantes depends on your personal preferences and interests. Keep in mind that major events like the Nantes Wine Festival and Les Rendez-vous de l’Erdre jazz festival happen in September, and Nantes Digital Week takes place in late September. Regardless of when you go, Nantes promises to enchant you with its history, culture, and artistic spirit.

How To Stay Safe In Nantes

Like any other city, Nantes has its own share of safety concerns that visitors must be aware of. However, with a little bit of caution and some common sense, you can avoid most problems and enjoy a safe and memorable trip. Here are some tips to help you stay safe in Nantes:

• Avoid Carrying Too Much Cash Or Expensive Belongings : While Nantes is a relatively safe city, pickpocketing can happen, especially in crowded tourist areas. Be discreet with your cash and don’t carry expensive gadgets or jewellery with you. If you are carrying expensive items, make sure to use a money belt .
• Be Vigilant In Crowded Places : Be mindful of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist spots like the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany or the Machines de l’ile. Keep an eye out for anyone acting suspiciously, and if you feel uncomfortable, move away.
• Use Reputable Taxi Services : Always use licensed taxis and avoid getting into unmarked cars. Taxis are available in most parts of Nantes, and you can find them easily at the airport or train station.
• Know The Emergency Numbers : In case of any emergency, dial 112 or 17 for the police, or 15 for medical assistance. It’s a good idea to save these numbers on your phone before you start exploring the city.
• Avoid Traveling Alone At Night : As with any city, it’s best to avoid traveling alone at night, especially in less populated areas. Always use well-lit and busy streets and public transportation whenever possible.

By following these simple safety tips, you can ensure that your trip to Nantes is enjoyable, safe, and stress-free. Remember, being aware and prepared is always better than being caught off guard.

Nantes Customs and Etiquette

When traveling to Nantes, it’s important to be aware of the local customs and etiquette to show respect and avoid any misunderstandings. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Greetings : The French generally greet with a handshake or a kiss on both cheeks, depending on the region. In Nantes, two kisses on the cheek are the norm.
• Language : French is the official language, but English is also widely spoken in tourist areas. It’s always polite to learn a few basic French phrases, such as “bonjour” (hello) and “merci” (thank you).
• Dress Code : French style is sophisticated and chic, so dress smartly, especially if you’re planning to dine at a high-end restaurant or attend a cultural event.
• Table Manners : In France, table manners are very important. Wait to be seated, keep your hands visible on the table, and always say “bon appétit” before eating. Don’t eat with your hands, keep your elbows off the table, and never put your bread on the plate.
• Tipping : A service charge is usually included in the bill, but it’s customary to leave a small tip if the service was excellent. A 10% tip is a good rule of thumb.
• Public Behavior : French people value politeness and courtesy, so avoid being loud or disruptive in public places. Smoking is banned in most indoor public spaces, including bars and restaurants.

Overall, just be respectful of local customs and enjoy your time in Nantes!

Other Things To Know About Nantes

Before you embark on your Nantes adventure, there are a few more things you should know about the city. Here are some helpful details to keep in mind:

• Country : Nantes is located in western France, near the Atlantic Ocean. It is the sixth-largest city in France and the largest city in the Pays de la Loire region. It is located south of Paris and west of Lyon .
• Currency : Like the rest of France, Nantes uses the euro as its currency. It’s a good idea to exchange some currency before you arrive, or withdraw cash from an ATM once you’re in the city.
• Language : The official language of Nantes is French, but many locals also speak English. It’s always polite to learn a few key phrases in French, like “bonjour” (hello) and “merci” (thank you).
• Time Zone : Nantes is in the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1). During daylight saving time, the city observes Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is two hours ahead of UTC.

By keeping these details in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy all the charms of Nantes with ease.

Nantes Travel Costs

As with any travel destination, it’s important to budget and plan accordingly. Nantes is no exception, but fortunately, the city offers a variety of options for travelers on all types of budgets. Here are some estimates on what you can expect to spend on your trip to Nantes:

• Accommodation : Accommodation costs in Nantes vary depending on your preferences and budget. For budget travelers, a hostel dorm room can be as little as €15-€25 per night. Mid-range hotel rooms can cost €60-€100 per night, while luxury hotels can run upwards of €150-€200 per night.
• Food And Drinks : Food and drinks can also range in price in Nantes. A simple café lunch can be around €10-€15, while a more formal restaurant meal can range from €20-€50 per person. Of course, street food and markets can be an affordable option for budget travelers. As for drinks, a beer or wine in a bar or restaurant can cost around €5-€7, while a bottle of wine from a shop can be as little as €6-€8.
• Transportation : Public transportation in Nantes is relatively affordable, with a single bus or tram ticket costing €1.70. Day passes and weekly passes are also available for those planning to use public transportation frequently. Taxis are also an option, with rates starting at €2.50 and increasing per kilometer.
• Activities : Nantes offers a variety of activities, ranging from free sights like the Jardin des Plantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany to paid attractions like the Machines de l’Ile and the Nantes Natural History Museum. Entrance fees to paid attractions typically range from €5-€15 per person.

Overall, budget travelers can expect to spend around €50-€70 per day in Nantes, while mid-range travelers can expect to spend €100-€150 per day. Luxury travelers can easily spend €200 or more per day. Remember to factor in the cost of flights and transportation to and from the airport as well. With careful planning, Nantes can be an affordable and enjoyable travel destination for all types of travelers.

Finding Affordable Flights To Nantes

When planning your trip to Nantes, finding affordable flights can be a great way to save money on your travels. Here are some tips to help you find the best deals on flights to Nantes.

• Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates : Being flexible with your travel dates can help you find the best deals on flights to Nantes. Flights on weekdays are often cheaper than on weekends, and flights during off-peak seasons are also usually more affordable.
• Use Flight Comparison Websites : Websites such as Skyscanner and Kayak can help you compare flights from different airlines and find the best deals. You can set alerts to be notified when prices drop and take advantage of sales.
• Book In Advance : Booking your flight to Nantes in advance can also save you money. Flights booked a few months in advance are often cheaper than last-minute bookings.
• Fly From Major Hubs : Flying from major airports in big cities such as Paris, London or Amsterdam may be cheaper than flying directly to Nantes. You can take a domestic or low-cost flight to Nantes from there.
• Check For Discounts : Check for student, senior, or military discounts that may be available when booking your flight to Nantes. Airlines sometimes offer promotions to different groups, so it’s worth checking if you’re eligible.

By following these tips, you can find affordable flights to Nantes and make the most of your budget while experiencing the magic of this beautiful French city.

Backpacking Nantes Suggested Budgets

If you’re on a tight budget, backpacking Nantes can be a great option. With plenty of affordable accommodations and free activities, you can explore this charming city without breaking the bank. Here are some suggested budgets to help you plan your trip:

Low Budget: €25-35 per day

This budget is for travelers who are looking to save money on accommodations and meals. You can stay in a hostel dorm for around €15-20 per night, and eat cheap meals from local markets and bakeries. You can also enjoy some free activities like visiting the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, exploring the Jardin des Plantes, or walking along the banks of the Loire River.

Mid-Range Budget: €50-75 per day

This budget is for travelers who want to stay in private rooms in budget hotels or guesthouses and eat in mid-range restaurants. You can also enjoy some paid activities like visiting the Nantes Cathedral or taking a boat tour on the Erdre River.

Luxury Budget: €100+ per day

This budget is for travelers who want to splurge on luxury accommodations, fine dining, and paid activities. You can stay in a boutique hotel or apartment, eat at Michelin-starred restaurants, and take private tours of the city’s top attractions.

No matter what your budget is, backpacking Nantes is a great way to experience this magical city. With a little planning and budgeting, you can make the most of your trip without overspending.

Nantes Money Saving Tips

If you’re traveling on a budget, Nantes can be an affordable destination if you know where to look. Here are some money-saving tips to help you stretch your euros further:

• Use Public Transportation : Nantes has an excellent public transportation system, which includes buses, trams, and a bike-share program. Use a pass or buy a pack of tickets to save money on individual rides.
• Visit Museums And Attractions On Certain Days : Many museums and attractions offer free admission on certain days or at certain times. Check their websites or tourist information centers for details.
• Dine Out At Lunchtime : Many restaurants offer lunch menus that are less expensive than their dinner menus. Plus, you can enjoy the city during the day and avoid the crowds in the evening.
• Shop At Local Markets : Nantes has several open-air markets that sell fresh produce, seafood, and other goods at reasonable prices. You can also find artisanal products and souvenirs.
• Pack A Picnic : Take advantage of the city’s green spaces and scenic locations by packing a picnic lunch or dinner. You can find fresh bread, cheese, and wine at local shops and markets.
• Look For Free Events And Entertainment : Nantes has a vibrant cultural scene, with many free events, concerts, and festivals throughout the year. Check local listings and websites for details.
• Use A Travel Rewards Credit Card : If you have a travel rewards credit card , you can earn points or miles on your purchases and redeem them for flights, hotels, or other travel-related expenses. Just make sure to pay off your balance in full to avoid interest charges.

With these money-saving tips, you can experience all that Nantes has to offer without breaking the bank.

What To Pack For Nantes

When packing for Nantes, it’s important to keep in mind the weather and activities you’ll be participating in. Here are some essential items to pack:

• Comfortable Shoes : With so much to see and do in Nantes, you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking. Make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes.
• Layers : The weather in Nantes can be unpredictable, so bring layers to accommodate for different temperatures. Even in the summer months, it can get chilly in the evenings.
• Umbrella : Rain is common in Nantes, especially during the fall and winter months. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella to stay dry.
• Adapter : If you’re coming from outside of Europe, make sure to bring an adapter for your electronics.
• Daypack : You’ll want to have a small bag to carry essentials with you as you explore the city. A lightweight daypack is perfect for this.
• Swimsuit : If you’re visiting in the summer months, consider bringing a swimsuit to take advantage of the city’s beaches and nearby water parks.
• Camera : With so much beautiful architecture and scenery, you won’t want to miss capturing your memories on camera.
• Sunscreen : Even on cloudy days, the sun can still be strong. Make sure to bring sunscreen to protect your skin.
• French Phrasebook : While many people in Nantes speak English, it’s always helpful to know some basic French phrases to communicate with locals.

By packing these essentials, you’ll be prepared for whatever Nantes throws your way!

Can You Drink Tap Water In Nantes?

One of the questions that might come to mind when visiting a new city is whether the tap water is safe to drink. Fortunately, in Nantes, you can drink the tap water without worry as it is perfectly safe and tastes great too. The city’s water supply comes from the Erdre River and the Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu aquifer, which are known for their purity. The water is regularly tested to ensure that it meets the European Union standards for drinking water quality.

Not only is drinking tap water in Nantes safe, but it is also environmentally friendly. By filling up your reusable water bottle with tap water, you are helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste produced in the city. So, when you visit Nantes, bring along your reusable water bottle and fill it up with delicious tap water that is safe to drink. Your wallet and the planet will thank you for it.

Other Things To See And Do In Nantes

Apart from the top 5 things to see and do in Nantes, there are several other activities that can make your trip unforgettable.

• Jardin Des Plantes : Explore the lush greenery of this botanical garden that dates back to 1807. Admire the exotic plants and the vibrant colors of the flower beds. It is the perfect place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
• Les Machines De l’Île : Experience the unique world of mechanical creatures that were inspired by the novels of Jules Verne. Hop on the giant elephant that can carry up to 49 passengers and take a ride around the city. You can also admire the giant tree and the spider that move around in the park.
• Château Des Ducs De Bretagne : Step back in time by visiting this impressive castle that was once the residence of the Dukes of Brittany. Explore the historical exhibitions and admire the stunning architecture of the building.
• Musée d’arts De Nantes : Discover a collection of over 12,000 works of art that span from the medieval period to contemporary art. Marvel at the paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts that are displayed in the museum.
• Le Lieu Unique : Immerse yourself in the creative arts scene by visiting this cultural center that hosts exhibitions, concerts, and performances. Check out the bookstore and café and spend a leisurely afternoon browsing the collections.

Nantes is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you are interested in history, art, or nature, you will find plenty of things to see and do during your visit. Make sure to add these other attractions to your itinerary to make the most of your trip.

The Bottom Line

Nantes is a charming French city that boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage, along with modern amenities and attractions. From visiting the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne to strolling along the banks of the Loire River, there is something for everyone in Nantes. When planning your trip, it’s important to consider the best time to visit, where to stay, and how to get around the city. With plenty of affordable accommodation options and efficient public transportation, you can make the most of your time in Nantes without breaking the bank.

Additionally, it’s crucial to keep safety in mind while traveling. While Nantes is generally a safe city, it’s always wise to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions, especially when exploring new areas. Ultimately, Nantes offers a unique and unforgettable travel experience for those seeking a taste of French culture, history, and hospitality. So pack your bags, book your flight, and get ready to discover the magic of Nantes for yourself!

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A journey to nantes.

All year long, our artistic itinerary will take you throughout our city.

From the Château des ducs de Bretagne to Passage Pommeraye, and from the Musée d’Arts to the Galerie des Machines, Nantes reveals its historical, architectural and artistic heritage through a public collection of more than 100 artworks… Nantes both surprises and enchants visitors, when nature rubs shoulders with the urban, the result is art that excites the imagination. The painted path leads pedestrians and cyclists to lively places all throughout town.

Have a nice holiday in Nantes!

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From the end of the River Erdre, it was just a short bike ride down to the staggeringly beautiful Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. We approached the Cathedral via Place Saint Pierre, the view which is captured in the two images below.

Like so many other Churches in France, this Gothic Cathedral replaced an earlier Romanesque basilica in the middle of the 15 th century. This earlier basilica was built on the site of an even earlier church built when the Romans occupied this area. The second church on this site lasted until the 9 th century when it illustrated the fate of churches in territories subject to the dangerous envy of marauding Viking neighbours. It was burnt down after these uncouth types torched the church, killed the bishop and at another nearby Church in Nantes, threw the relic of St Semilien down a well! (Thank you to Jonathan Baker for this detail!) It was rebuilt and then burnt down again by another generation of Viking visitors who this time decided to stay for keeps, settling down in the area of France that took their name, Normandy. The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul took 457 years to complete after its foundation was laid in 1434. In an event reminiscent of the destruction of the roof of Notre Dame in Paris in 2019, the roof of this Cathedral was engulfed in flames in 1972 and the whole Cathedral had to be completely restored.

This church has a number of famous names associated with it that we would encounter elsewhere in the city. Anne of Brittany, whose statue we ran into later in front of the local castle provided some magnificent stained-glass windows for this cathedral. Her father, Francis II of Brittany, is buried in this church and his tomb is a highlight of a visit inside. For those fans of Alexander Dumas, the real-life version of d’Artagnan, one of his three musketeers, is known in 1661 to have arrested Louis XIV’s finance minister in front of this cathedral.

The first city wall of Nantes was built around 270CE and its route is indicated by the dashed line on the above map. This Gallo-Roman wall eventually fell into disrepair and was replaced by a bigger and wider wall at the start of the 13 th century. The old gateway, Porte St-Pierre, that led travelers towards Angers is still standing with a modern footpath going through it. The photo to the left shows the conglomeration of different shaped stones at the bottom of the wall, showing remnants of the first wall and later additions.

There has been some extensive archaeological work done around the tower associated with the St Pierre Gate and the visitor can inspect what was uncovered of the original foundations of the site. In the large square behind Porte St Pierre there is a statue of Louis XVI of France, a rare commodity given he was the king executed at the start of the French Revolution.

When you look at the map of France and its regions, you will find Nantes is one of the largest cities in the Pays de la Loire. However, when we headed from the Cathedral down a few blocks to the castle, determining its official name was initially confusing. On one map it was called the “Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne” and on the other map we had, it was called “Duchesse Anne Chateau”. It seems that over the millennia, Brittany has lost a few of its major strategic sites to other regions. Mont St Michel is geographically part of Brittany but is officially in Normandy. Nantes has always been historically and culturally part of Bretagne but is officially in the region of Pays de la Loire. The two names for this splendid chateau capture Nantes complex history.

• Promised in marriage to Edward IV of England in 1480 before he disappeared in the Tower of London, presumably disposed of by the confirmed ‘crookback’ Richard III.
• Married (at a distance) to Emperor Maximilian of Austria (never consummated).
• Proposed to by Alain d’Albret looking for an alliance with Brittany but she made her own decision on this match; he was too ugly.
• Her first marriage was to Louis Duke of Orleans in 1491. The only impediment was that he was married to the sister of the King of France at the time of the proposal. She became Queen of France and her new king had her previous ‘marriage’ to Maximilian annulled (as well as his own!)
• Part of this marriage contract with Louis was that if the King died before Anne, she had to marry his successor. Louis died of course and his successor had to get another annulment from a busy Pope and she married Louis XII in 1499. The historical irony of this wedding ceremony was that Anne wore white, thus creating a fashion necessity that has passed down to the brides of the last 500 years.

VISITING FRANCE

Appendix 1: Nantes Blog

Anybody interested in the history of Nantes should visit                     “ historicalnantes.blogspot.com; Travels in Nantes ”.

Appendix 2 : Biscuit Factory as Nantes tourist hotspot .

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France Travel Blog

Is Nantes Safe?

The beautiful city of Nantes is the capital of the north-western area of Pays de la Loire. It is situated near the Atlantic, and it is just two hours from Paris by train. The city offers an incredibly good quality of life and is at the center of one of the most propelling areas in France as regards demography and innovation/economy. Generally, Nantes is safe with a considerably low crime rate. Visitors will see lots of schools, including Universities lending confidence to Nantes’ orientation on education. 

Here Are Some Of The Things To Know About Safety In Nantes:

Overall safety.

With a low crime rate compared to some neighboring cities, the city is generally safe to visit. Tourists are also allowed to take on the city without bothering about crimes on the street. But travelers are always recommended to stay vigilant throughout their stay. As a tourist, you must remain vigilant and report suspicious activities close to you.

Also, ensure you make photocopies of your important documents and go out with them while the originals are kept in your hotel. Pickpockets can do away with one’s purse or bag. That is why travelers need to take safety precautions and keep an eye on possessions that you happen to take out.

You are on vacation; it is not always advisable to travel with your jewelry, especially if they are expensive. Some thieves are known to snatch pieces of jewelry from unsuspecting visitors, so stay alert. Then, while in Nantes, like every other French city, hide your identity. Like a camera or binocular around your neck, conceal anything that will loudly suggest that you are a tourist. You could be an easy target for scammers and other shady characters. The overall safety level in Nantes is moderate.

Transport and Taxis Risk

Taxis and transport are generally reliable and safe in the city even though lots of pickpockets cram the various means of public transport. As noted in the previous point, one is directly exposed to scammers and indirectly calling for their activities if it is obvious that they are a tourist.

In trains, pickpockets steal from anyone, but the scammers usually pick on visitors when they can recognize one. You do not need to learn all the tricks in their books. Just stay uptight even though it may seem unfriendly. Trying to stay safe does not necessarily mean your experience in a foreign city will be ruined, you are just taking precautions. Furthermore, taxis tend to be the safest form of transport. This safety level is low in Nantes.

This will be a concern if you intend to rent a car as soon as you arrive, Nantes. The risk level of this crime is moderate, so ensure you pack your car at secured places. One will expect that the places with guards and security cameras will report the least cases of car theft. Do not forget to take necessary precautions, including concealing expensive items in the car. Meanwhile, local law enforcement agents are efficient and can secure one’s missing car.

Pickpockets  

The city of Nantes is a cool place to visit, even though it is not large. Despite its charm that draws thousands of people every month, pickpockets are the major drawback for a perfect Nantes holiday experience. They are often the problem in most touristy areas in the city like everywhere else in France. So, be watchful and keep your belongings close in crowded areas like airports and train stations. The pickpocket’s risk level is moderate.

Natural Disasters Risk 

Tourists often checkup the natural safety of place before visiting. We have done that for you here. So, Nantes is not susceptible to major disasters that occur naturally. You can have fun as much as you want without worrying about a sudden unfortunate natural disaster. The particular risk level is, therefore, low in Nantes.

Mugging Risk

The thought of being mugged in a foreign city can be scary. But Nantes is a different touristy city in terms of safety as the chances of getting mugged are quite low. It is always good to consider crimes that are directly targeted at visitors. In Nantes’ case, there is no recognized one. Your vacation would most likely not be disturbed by violent crimes that seldom makes the news.

Terrorism Risk   

The terrorism risk level in Nantes is moderate, and the same applies to every other city in France. This is not just a Nantes’ concern but a national one. France, in recent times, has been a target of terror threats, including nearby nations like Belgium and Denmark. Many believe a terror attack could happen anytime in France. But to quell that fear, military personnel, and law enforcement agents heavily guide often-crowded places and significant public spaces.

Nantes is safe partly due to the vigilance of locals. When you visit, observe what goes on around you. You could be in a cab, train, taxi, bus, anywhere. You could be in a hotel, bistro, the beach, or anywhere else- ensure you report suspecting activities to the authorities as soon as you can.

Scam schemes particularly targeted at tourists are not common. There could be but generally unknown. So, the scam risk level is low. However, ensure that you check your change properly and do not pay for any item upfront. The fact that scam activities are not high in Nantes should not cause tourists to lose guard when they could be more vigilant.

Women Travelers’ Risk

Nantes is a perfect and safe place for the solo tourist. That is why the women’s traveler risk level is low. Still, ensure you apply all general precautions like not walking in a poorly lit and deserted rooms. Characters like gang members and thieves are not uncommon in such places.

General Safety in Nantes

The city of Nantes is quite livable and safe compared to many main French and European cities. Except for occasional industrial actions like strikes, the city is a fantastic place to visit and relax. As touching dangerous areas, some of them where armed violence is perpetuated is close to the eastern part of the city (Bottière) and the western part (Dervallières).

There are good areas and most companies are situated in the city’s north. Such areas include La Chapelle Sur Erdre, Saint Joseph, Orvault, and L’ile de Nantes. L’ile de Nantes is cheaper by fine margins than Nantes’ center, and it boasts of many other pros like city-center proximity, a massive shopping mall, and the fact that it is connected to two major city transportation airlines.

Terror risk is also a big issue in the country with recent threats and attacks. As such, police and military units are often present at significant landmarks, airports, and train stations. This is good for travelers because bag snatchers and pickpockets would not be present in such vicinities.

Is Nantes Safe? – Summary

Among the major cities and tourist destinations in western France, Nantes is among the safest, if not the safest. In the entire country, it also ranks among the safest and the best place for travelers to visit. Armed violence is low, the chances of being mugged are low, and the transport system is safe. The city offers charm, calm, fun, and activity in just the right blend.

Do you think Nantes is safe? Leave your comments below.

Peter is the editor of France Travel Blog. He has traveled to France many times and is ready to share the knowledge in this travel guide for France.

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9 Places to See the Summer Olympics Without Setting Foot in Paris

You may have trouble finding accommodations or tickets to events in Paris, but other destinations around France are hosting sports like soccer, sailing, basketball and surfing.

By Sophie Stuber

For sports fans, Paris will be the center of the universe this summer — and with 15 million Olympic and Paralympic visitors expected, it will feel like it, with crowds and high prices. But Paris isn’t the only Olympic site in France: Nine destinations outside the metro region are also hosting events, giving travelers a way to catch some action without getting caught up in the crush.

In places like Bordeaux, Marseille and even Tahiti, you can watch top athletes compete in soccer, basketball, sailing and surfing. (Tickets have been added in batches, so if the ones you want aren’t available, keep checking the ticketing site, tickets.Paris2024.org . If all else fails, the official resale platform opens on May 15 .)

And when you’re not watching sports, you can take advantage of museums, parks, design centers, and fresh food and wine options. In Nantes, you can even ride a mechanical elephant.

Here are some ideas for planning your own alternative Olympic trip.

Basketball: July 27 to Aug. 4; tickets from 50 euros ($54).

Handball: Aug. 6 to 11, tickets from €45.

Start with a stroll around Vieux-Lille and a coffee in the Grande Place, taking in the colorful facades of this city near the Belgian border. Head over to the St.-Sauveur area to see the Art Deco belfry and exhibitions at Gare St.-Sauveur , a former train station. On Sundays, at the rambling Wazemmes market , about 400 vendors offer produce, fish, plants, fabrics, textiles and leather goods. Head out to Parc du Héron , east of the city, to see the LaM museum (€7), with works by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani and Joan Miró. Lille is better known for beer than for wine, and the Brasserie Gobrecht offers brewery tours every Saturday (reservations recommended).

Where to stay: Hotel de la Paix (€354 per night); Hotel Carlton (€406).

Soccer: July 24 to Aug. 2; tickets from €24.

Capital of a region best known for its wine, this small southwestern city sells local wine-walk maps at its tourist office. Stop by the Marché des Capucins , a local indoor market that also houses Bistro Poulette , a slightly chaotic and very delicious spot serving moules-frites, or mussels with fries. In the afternoon, check out the Bassins des Lumières (€15), the largest digital art center in the world, and the Cité du Vin (€21), which offers wine-tasting experiences. To wind down in a quiet wine bar, try Yarra , or for a cocktail, Symbiose . If you have time for side trips, spend a day in St.-Emilion, about 27 miles away, where you can sample great wines. Or check out the nearly 340-foot-high Dune du Pilat , the tallest sand dune in Europe — about 37 miles southwest of Bordeaux, near the beach town of Arcachon.

To stay: Les Chambres de Marie (€170); La Maison Galiène (€259); Yndo Hotel (€355); Le Palais Gallien Hôtel & Spa (€419).

Soccer: July 24 to Aug. 8; tickets from €24.

The street signs in Nantes are in both Breton and French, reflecting the city’s historical ties to Brittany. Start at Talensac Market for picnic supplies, especially radishes, local cheeses and strawberries. Pick up local delicacies like Gâteau Nantais (almond poundcake) and Far Breton (flan with Armanac-soaked prunes). Take your picnic lunch to the courtyard of the Château des Ducs de Bretagne , a medieval castle and museum (courtyard is free; museum is €9). On the Île de Nantes, a former shipyard has been transformed into a wild mechanical theme park. The Machines de l’Île mixes Jules Verne’s stories with Leonardo da Vinci’s designs in the form of a ridable mechanical elephant and sea creatures (€9.50 for the elephant ride or gallery visit). The Mémorial de l’Abolition de l’Esclavage (free) covers Nantes’s history as the most active slave-trading port in 18th-century France. The artists behind the glass-and-concrete memorial, Krzysztof Wodiczko and Julian Bonder , aimed to create “a metaphorical and emotional reminder of the primarily historical, but also very current, struggle for the abolition of slavery.”

To stay: Hotel Voltaire Opéra (€103); Hotel de la Cité (€120).

Châteauroux

Shooting: July 27 to Aug. 5; tickets from €24.

The small city not far from the Loire Valley is named for Château Raoul , the 10th-century castle that’s now part of a local official’s private residence. The best view of the château is from the Gütersloh Bridge. Follow the “coulée verte” — or green corridor — along the banks of the Indre River, stopping by Parc de Belle-Isle , which has a lake for swimming, with kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to rent, as well as a beach, playgrounds and camping. The Franciscan Cordeliers Convent (free), which dates to the 13th century, today offers contemporary art exhibits and miles of gardens, and the Bertrand Museum (free), a former 18th-century townhouse, showcases diverse collections in each of its 26 rooms, including the plaster original of the Camille Claudel sculpture “Sakuntala.”

To stay: Au Lys Blanc (€138); Les Rives du Château (€210 for a two-bedroom apartment).

Lyon and St.-Étienne

Soccer: Lyon, July 24 to Aug. 9; tickets from €24. St.-Étienne, July 24 to 31; tickets from €24.

It will be easy to catch soccer matches in either Lyon or St.-Étienne, only an hour apart by train or car in east-central France. In Lyon, often called the gastronomic capital of France, visit the majestic Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica , then savor an ice cream at La Fabrique Givrée . Explore the city’s network of covered passageways, called traboules — originally for workers to transport textiles and later used during World War II by the French Resistance for clandestine meetings. Then climb up to the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse neighborhood, with its tiny streets, shops and views of Lyon below. On a clear day, you can even see Mont Blanc. The Lugdunum museum (€7) and the nearby Roman theater (€4) take visitors back to 43 B.C., when Lyon was known as Lugdunum, and La Maison des Canuts (€9.50), covers the city’s history as a capital of silk.

Between Lyon and St.-Étienne, Pilat Regional Natural Park offers more than 900 miles of rocky terrain for hiking and biking, culminating at the summit of 4,700-foot Crêt de la Perdrix , with views of the Alps and Massif Central range.

St.-Étienne, about 40 miles southwest of Lyon, is transforming its historical industrial identity into one of design and innovation. At the heart is the Cité du Design (€4.50), the former site of a weapons factory, which has served as a center for art and research since 2010. The complex, now a key economic force in the city, is open to the public year-round and hosts art and design exhibitions.

To stay in Lyon: Fourvière Hotel (€189); Hôtel du Théâtre (€323).

To stay in St.-Étienne: Le Parc 42 (€113); Le Golf Sauna (€269).

Sailing (including windsurfing, kitesurfing and more): July 28 to Aug. 8; tickets from €24.

Soccer: July 24 to Aug. 6; tickets from €24.

This Mediterranean port city mixes urban grit and natural beauty. Start by visiting Le Panier, the village-like oldest part of the city. Try navettes , a traditional orange flower biscuit, and sample some sardines or panisses , traditional chickpea fries, on a sunny terrace. Detour through the touristy but pleasant Old Port on the way to Mucem (€11), the first major museum dedicated to Mediterranean civilization and cultures. Have a pick-me-up at Deep Coffee Roasters , a specialty roaster tucked away between touristy shops. At sunset, climb up to Cours Julien , a hip neighborhood with beautiful views for your apéro. Don’t miss the Cité Radieuse , a UNESCO-listed apartment complex that shows off the architect Le Corbusier’s Modernist mastery (you can stay at the hotel in it). And just southeast of the city, the Calanques , a series of small, narrow coves , offer miles of oceanside trails and rocky scrambles along turquoise water.

To stay: Hotel Le Corbusier (€229); Maison Juste (€300).

Soccer: July 24 to 31; tickets from €24.

Summer is peak season in Nice, the queen city of the French Riviera, where the mountains meet the Mediterranean. Run, bike or in-line skate along the Promenade des Anglais , a four-mile seaside path. Then climb up to the Colline du Château , a rocky hill east of the promenade with views of Nice and even as far as the Alps. For a longer walk, follow the trails from Coco Beach to the Cap de Nice along the coves. Then head to Cours Saleya , a pedestrian section of the Old Town, with flower stands, antiques and local food like the socca , a chickpea pancake. The Musée de Préhistoire Terra Amata (€5), constructed on top of an excavation site, reveals what Nice was like up to 400,000 years ago. Or just enjoy one of Nice’s pebbled beaches in a lounge chair.

To stay: Hôtel Rossetti (€186); Yelo Mozart (€238).

Teahupo’o, Tahiti

Surfing: July 27 to 31 ( events could shift through Aug. 4, depending on surf conditions); fan zones free.

For surfing’s second Olympics since its debut in Tokyo, the competition takes place far from mainland France in Tahiti, part of French Polynesia. Since the wave is offshore, there will be two ticket-free fan zones — Taharu’u Beach and Paofai Gardens — to watch the events on large screens. A third fan zone at PK0 beach in Teahupo’o will have free tickets but limited access. Tahiti offers white sands and turquoise lagoons in addition to near-perfect waves. For snorkeling, try the lagoon near Maui Beach , five miles from Teahupo’o. For black volcanic sands, head to Taharu’u Beach, about 20 miles northwest of Teahupo’o. About 45 miles from Teahupo’o, Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, with a population of about 26,000, offers a variety of local delicacies like poisson cru: raw fish with lime juice and coconut milk, served with rice. Sample local fare, including steak frites and skewered veal heart, from food trucks, called roulettes, at Place Vai’ete, on the waterfront, near the Papeete Market.

To stay: Kia Ora Lodge (€265, seven miles from Teahupo’o); Punatea Village (€73, six miles from Teahupo’o).

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of a picture with this article was published in error. The image showed the French town of Cassis, not Marseille, where several Olympic events will take place this summer. It has been replaced.

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Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

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