visit a nantes

Nantes Tourism official website

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!

The must-sees

Sleeping in a work of art. breakfast included..

Organizing your trip

• Destinations
• The 10 destinations
• Prepare your stay

Getting there

Nantes historic city.

Although it is now the administrative centre of the Pays-de-la-Loire, Nantes was the capital of Brittany for hundreds of years. Start at the impressive Château des ducs de Bretagne before wandering through the medieval old town then take a ride on a mechanical elephant on the Île de Nantes. Just follow the green line !

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Nearby activities

Where to eat in Nantes

Good to know: The Pass Nantes

Contact the tourist office

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Culture vultures

All year long, follow the green line and find the art in the public space. Art lovers should head to the Musée d’Arts whose works date from the 13th to the 19th century; it also has a contemporary art collection. Culture vultures are generally spoilt for choice as Nantes has a vibrant live music scene; it even has its own opera house. There is a full calendar of events including a carnival in April.

Breton palace

Surrounded by a water-filled moat, the imposing  Château des ducs de Bretagne  is a good place to start any visit of France’s sixth largest city. It was built in the 15th century by Francois II, one of the last rulers of Brittany, and later became the Breton residence of the French monarchy. After an extensive 15-year restoration programme, the castle now houses Nantes’ history museum, where visitors can learn about the city’s past as France’s largest port. Kids will enjoy a walk around the ramparts followed by a picnic on the grassy lawn.

Jules Verne, author of ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, was born in Nantes in 1828.

Did you know?

Le Voyage à Nantes

The Voyage à Nantes event has stage set the town every summer since 2012. Forty historical and modern sites make up the sensitive and poetic trail of the same name. This permanent ‘dispersed monument’ can be traced by following the green line along the ground. It’s a summertime stopover where art tips the town upside down! Diversity and free admission to the vast number of its offerings are once again its strong points.

Les Machines de l’île on the île de Nantes

Connected to the mainland by bridges, the once-industrial Île de Nantes has undergone a makeover in recent years. The island now has some  restaurants and quirky bars as well as Les Machines de l’Île : a workshop where artists have created mechanical animals whose centrepiece is a 39ft (12m)-high Great Elephant, which takes passengers on a tour of the surroundings.

Nantes’ old town can be found in the maze of streets to the west of the château in the  Bouffay  district. As well as half-timbered houses, you’ll also discover some of the city’s best shopping including speciality food boutiques and the Galeries Lafayette department store. The  Passage Pommeraye , a spectacular 19th-century glass-roofed shopping mall, is not to be missed in the newer part of town.

Plan your trip

Hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, gites, short-stay rentals, holiday homes, unique and unusual places to stay… Everything you need to make your dreams come true!

Looking for adventure in the great outdoors? Whether you prefer climbing trees, sailing on the water, going to the zoo or visiting a museum… Brittany has got you covered!

• See the website

Main points of interest :

All year round, the essential stops along the green line.

• More than 120 artworks of Le Voyage à Nantes
• The castle of the dukes of Brittany (13th-18th centuries) and its Nantes History Museum…
• Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul Cathedral (15th – 19th centuries).
• The Jardin des Plantes and the Musée d’Arts. – Feydeau island, (18th century), Place Royale, Graslin district, Passage Pommeraye…
• The new Musée Dobrée and its collections covering 500,000 years of history and 5 continents.
• On the Ile de Nantes : the Parc des Chantiers (former shipyards) with the Machines de l’Ile, the Hangar à bananes…
• The Bas Chantenay district, with its extraordinary garden, the Kawamata belvedere, the Jules Verne museum.

Getting to Nantes

Nantes Atlantique is the largest international airport in western France after Bordeaux and is the gateway to Brittany. It has more than 100 direct connections with Europe and more… (Montreal for example). An airport shuttle service will get you to the centre of Nantes in 20 minutes. Good to know : The Pass Nantes includes the airport shuttle. Buy your city pass on line before coming to Nantes ! With 26 trains per day, Nantes is less than 2 hours from Paris on the intercity TGV and TGV InOui services. Eurostar will get you to Paris from London in 2 hours 16 minutes. You could also opt for a low-cost journey to Nantes using the OuiGo trains or long-distance bus companies such as  Eurolines , Flixbus , BlaBlaCar-Bus and Megabus , which run from many towns. By car, Nantes is 177 km from the ferry port at Saint-Malo, 315 km from Roscoff, 349 km from Bordeaux or 385 km from Paris.

Travelling in and around Nantes

Good to know: The Pass Nantes unites 50 of the sites, sights and services in Nantes, Saint-Nazaire and the vineyards. With a bespoke offer for each of the 4 seasons, the Pass is valid for 24, 48, 72 hours or for 7 days ! Its wide-ranging benefits simplifies the stay of all travellers, from those who travel alone, in couples or with their tribe, to fans of picture, rails and paddles … The Pass Nantes allows everyone to choose their rhythm by uniting the unmissables…and so much more besides … If you’re driving to Nantes, why not leave your car at one of the many park and ride car parks on the outskirts of town? You can visit the various parts of town on foot, by bus or tram on the Naolib network , by taxi bike with Happy Moov or even by navibus (boat bus) on the rivers Erdre or Loire. Cars are also available on a self-service basis using the Marguerite car-sharing service To simplify your travel by public transport, use the Destineo route planners for the Pays de Loire and Mobibreizh to work out your journeys and transport services. It takes about an hour by car to get to Rennes or Vannes using the toll-free dual carriageways.

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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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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

Getty Images/Hemis.fr RM

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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14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Nantes

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

A wealthy medieval trading port and formerly the capital of the Brittany region , Nantes immerses visitors in its fascinating history. Walking around the old town's cobblestone streets feels like a stroll back in time.

Cultural attractions abound, especially in the historic center of Nantes. Always teeming with activity, the Quartier Bouffay encompasses several must-see attractions: the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the Palais des Beaux-Arts, and the Jardin des Plantes. The Quartier Graslin is another inviting neighborhood where tourists will enjoy browsing elegant shopping streets or stopping for a traditional meal.

Nantes also has a modern side. It's a vibrant metropolis with an industrial economy and large university-student population. The city's happening social scene includes a dazzling opera house, trendy restaurants, bustling cafés, and lively squares.

To truly discover the city, tourists should wander around and explore at leisure. The city center delights visitors with its elegance and sophistication. Even though Nantes is one of France's largest cities and definitely has an urban feel, there are many beautiful gardens that provide refreshing spaces for relaxation.

Learn about the best places to visit with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Nantes.

1. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul

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Flamboyant Gothic style finds perfect expression in the ornate facade and soaring vaulted interior of this 15th-century cathedral. The height of the nave is 37.5 meters, which is higher than the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The Cathedrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul houses a Renaissance masterpiece of funerary art, the tomb of François II and Marguerite de Foix . Another treasure of the cathedral is the 11th-century Romanesque crypt, which displays an exhibition of the cathedral's history.

A well-known moment of history in Nantes occurred here on April 13th, 1598, when King Henry IV signed the Edict of Nantes . The edict guaranteed freedom of religious practices to French Protestants, the Huguenots. One of the first decrees of religious rights in Europe, the Edict of Nantes ended the over 30-year Wars of Religion between Protestants and Catholics in France.

Note: The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul was damaged by a fire in July 2020 and is currently closed to the public. The city is planning to renovate the cathedral with the goal of restoring it to its former state.

On a nearby side street (5 Impasse Saint-Laurent) is the Parc de la Psallette , a verdant courtyard that overlooks the cathedral. Fringed with leafy trees, this quiet hidden garden is a pleasant spot to relax for a moment.

Address: Place Saint-Pierre, Nantes

At the heart of Nantes, this monumental medieval fortress was founded by Francois II in the 15th century. The imposing construction testifies to the building's defensive purpose, ensured by seven crenellated towers, 500 meters of sturdy granite ramparts, and a deep moat that was once filled with water.

In contrast to the rough exterior, the inner courtyard reveals the refinement of early Renaissance architecture with its white stone walls and sculpted details.

By the 15th century, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) became the residence of French kings when Brittany was integrated into France. Later the castle was used as a prison, arsenal, and military barracks. During the Second World War when the Germans occupied France, they built a bunker on the castle grounds.

Today, the château houses the Musee d'Histoire de Nantes (Museum of History) within its grand Flamboyant Gothic halls. The museum focuses on the history of Nantes, presenting chronological and thematic exhibits about the city's heritage.

The Château des Ducs de Bretagne has a boutique that sells history books; château-themed notebooks and souvenirs; and candies including Berlingot Nantais , a specialty of Nantes. Tourists can also sample local flavors at the castle's ice-cream shop, La Fraiseraie , which serves frozen treats made from strawberries grown in the region.

Entrance to the château interior and museum requires a ticket. Opening hours of the Château des Ducs de Bretagne are from 10am to 6pm Tuesday through Sunday year-round. In July and August, the château is open every day from 10am to 6pm.

The castle's courtyard, outdoor space, and ramparts are open to the public free of charge every day (from 8:30am to 7pm year-round and until 8pm in July and August). Visitors will enjoy exploring the moat gardens, as well as taking a walk along the ramparts.

Address: 4 Place Marc Elder, Nantes

Official site: http://www.chateaunantes.fr/en

In 1801, Napoléon Bonaparte founded the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts) in Nantes with a small collection of artworks donated from the Louvre . Nearly a century later (in 1891) Nantes created the Palais des Beaux-Arts to house the museum's enhanced collections. In 1989, the museum enlarged its space by converting the 17th-century Chapelle de l'Oratoire (located next to the Palais) into additional gallery space.

Since renovations in 2017, the museum has expanded its exhibition area with the sleek 2,000-square-foot " Le Cube ," four levels of galleries that display artworks to the best advantage in natural lighting. A raised walkway connects "The Cube" to the Palais des Beaux-Arts building.

The museum displays over 900 works of art, including an exceptional collection of European paintings. The assortment of 13th- to 18th-century French, Italian, Flemish, and Dutch paintings includes many noteworthy masterpieces.

Not to be missed are David et Isaïe ( David and Isaac ), a classic piece of religious art by Le Pérugin ; Apparition d'Ange à Saint Joseph ( Apparition of Angel to Saint Joseph ) by Georges de La Tour ; and the richly detailed Portrait de Madame de Senonnes by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres . Other highlights are paintings by Peter Paul Rubens , Philippe de Champaigne, Jean-Antoine Watteau, and Tintoret .

Impressionist and modern art is also well represented. Outstanding works include Les Nymphéas à Giverny ( Water Lilies in Giverny ) by Claude Monet , Le Phare d'Antibes ( Lighthouse at Antibes ) by Paul Signac , and Le Port du Havre ( The Port of Le Havre ) by Raoul Dufy . In addition, the museum is considered to have one of the best collections of contemporary art (from the 1980s to the present) in France.

Throughout the year, the museum hosts temporary expositions on various themes.

The Musée d'Arts de Nantes is open from 10am until 7pm every day except Tuesdays. On Thursdays, the museum is open late, until 9pm. The museum has a café , as well as a boutique that sells books and art-related gift items.

After visiting the Musée d'Arts de Nantes, tourists can take a short walk to the nearby Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden).

Address: 10 Rue Georges Clemenceau, Nantes

Official site: https://museedartsdenantes.nantesmetropole.fr/en/home.html

To discover the old-world charm of Nantes, tourists should explore the area around the Château des Ducs de Bretagne . This medieval quarter, known as the Bouffay district, is a maze of winding cobblestone streets lined with quaint half-timbered houses, as well as 15th- and 16th-century buildings.

The area also includes the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes , which should be prioritized on a tourist itinerary.

The best place to begin a tour of the Quartier Bouffay is at the Porte Saint-Pierre , which is a few steps away from the cathedral. During the Middle Ages, when the entire town was surrounded by defensive walls, the Porte Saint-Pierre was the entrance point; it is the only remaining vestige of the town's ancient fortifications. By walking through this 13th-century gate, visitors are transported into an enchanting medieval world.

It is a delight to wander the quarter's narrow pedestrian lanes. Tourists will be tempted to stop for a treat at a small bakery, take a break at a little café, or dine at a traditional restaurant.

The streets around Place du Bouffay are packed with retail shops and a wide variety of restaurants catering to all tastes. Visitors will find many authentic crêperies, as well as trendy restaurants; cozy bistros; and ethnic cuisine such as Japanese, Chinese, and Indian.

Boutique browsing is another way to while away some time, especially on the Rue de Verdun , which is dotted with specialty shops including La Boulangerie d'Antan , a typical French bakery; Les Rigolettes Nantaises , which sells old-fashioned candies, fine chocolates, and other confections; and Pâtisserie Saki Création , a purveyor of fancy French desserts.

After visiting the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, it's worth going a bit out of the way to discover an exquisite chapel. From the château, Rue Premion and Rue Henri IV leads to a cobblestone alleyway (Rue Malherbe). At the end of this pedestrian path in a quiet courtyard is the Chapelle de l'Immaculée (open Wednesdays from 2pm until 6pm). A gem of Gothic architecture, this 15th-century chapel is still used as a place of religious worship.

The Quartier Graslin owes its fashionable ambience to elegant city planning of the 18th and 19th centuries.

A prime example of this graceful urban design is the Passage Pommeraye ; access is from Rue de la Fosse. Listed as a Historic Monument , this arcaded passageway (open Monday to Saturday from 8am until 8pm and Sunday from 9am until 8pm) is filled with upscale retail boutiques.

Steps away from the Passage Pommeraye (via Rue de la Fosse) is the pedestrian-only Place Royale . This spacious square impresses visitors with its emblematic marble fountain, which symbolizes the Loire River and the maritime vocations of Nantes.

The streets around Place Royale are packed with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Rue Crébillon in particular has many chic fashion boutiques.

A short walk from the Place Royal leads to the Place Graslin , a bustling square that is a hub of social activity. Presiding over the square is the Neoclassical Théâtre Graslin , a gorgeous 18th-century theater that presents opera, dance performances, and music concerts.

Tourists should be sure to take a jaunt from the Place Graslin to the Cours Cambronne , an immaculately manicured tree-lined garden courtyard which centers around a statue of General Cambronne.

A short walk from the Cours Cambronne is the Musée Thomas Dobrée , a museum of art, archaeology, and history. Although the museum is currently closed for renovations, the property's lovely gardens are still open.

Many of the quarter's commercial streets are designed for pedestrians, which makes the area a good place to stroll and admire the stylish storefronts. While exploring the area, tourists will be enticed by the sidewalk cafés, crêperies, and restaurants.

Facing the opera house is the most famous establishment in the Quartier Graslin, La Cigale (4 Place Graslin), an elegant brasserie that dates to 1895. This institution of classic French cuisine merits a reservation just to see the exquisite Art Nouveau interior.

For casual meals, visitors can try the authentic Breton crêpes at the Crêperie Heb-Ken (5 Rue de Guérande).

This historic quarter was once an island in the Loire River that flows through Nantes. A landfill project (completed in the 1940s) joined the island to the rest of Nantes. However, the quarter has retained its 18th-century character. The main street of the Île Feydeau is the Rue Kervégan.

During the 1700s when Nantes was one of the most important ports in Europe, local shipowners became extremely rich from maritime trade. Opulent houses reveal the shipowners' extravagant lifestyle. Visitors can admire the facades of these grand mansions on Allée Duguay-Trouin, Place de la Petite-Hollande, and Allée Turenne.

This museum is dedicated to the work of celebrated author Jules Verne, who was born in Nantes in 1828. His novel Le Tour du Monde en Quatre-Vingts Jours ( Around the World in Eighty Days ) is one of the most-often translated French books. The collection is displayed in a 19th-century bourgeoise mansion on a hillside overlooking the Loire River.

Designed to take visitors on a "Vernian" journey, exhibits are presented in a creative way with multimedia presentations, posters, and representations of the author's fictional descriptions (for instance, a model airplane). Also on display are autographed manuscripts and objects of the author's daily life. The exhibits are presented in French, however non-French speakers will still appreciate the visual aspects.

The museum is open year-round Wednesday through Monday from 2pm to 6pm and closed on Tuesdays. On Saturdays, the museum is also open in the morning from 10am to 12pm in addition to the afternoon hours. During July and August, the museum extends its hours and is open every day from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm.

Address: 3 Rue de l'Hermitage, Nantes

Found in a small square in the Quartier Bouffay, the Eglise Sainte-Croix is admired for its handsome 17th-century Baroque facade and vibrant stained-glass windows in the sanctuary.

The Eglise Sainte-Croix is one of the parish churches of Nantes. Mass is celebrated here Tuesday through Sunday; services begin at 12:15pm on Tuesday and Thursday; at 11:15am on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; and at 11:30am on Sunday.

Address: Place Saint-Croix, Nantes

Wealthy 19th-century shipowner and merchant Thomas Dobrée amassed an exceptional collection of art objects during his lifetime. Dobrée also created a splendid neo-Romanesque palace (designed by architect Viollet-Le-Duc) on a former episcopal estate, which became his private residence.

In 1894, Dobrée donated his home and his wide-ranging archaeology collection to the city. In the grand rooms of the Dobrée palace, visitors can admire ancient Greek and Etruscan pottery and Egyptian archaeological finds, as well as medieval and Renaissance art that belonged to Dobrée. The museum also displays the collections of the Archaeological and Historical Society of Nantes.

Note: The Musée Thomas Dobrée is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in 2023. The museum continues to host temporary expositions , and the gardens of the palace remain open to the public year-round from 8am until 6:30pm (and until 7:30pm in July and August).

Address: 18 Rue Voltaire, Nantes

Shaded by towering trees and manicured with thousands of flowers, the Jardin des Plantes is listed as a " Jardin Remarquable " ( Remarkable Garden ). In fact, the seven-hectare green space is one of only four botanical gardens in France to be awarded the prestigious label.

Visitors will appreciate the walking paths and benches that allow for leisurely enjoyment of the tranquil setting. There are also whimsical landscaping exhibits, such as a giant manicured bush that resembles a sleeping cat.

Within the garden, the Café de l'Orangerie (15 Rue Gambetta) serves lunch and refreshments in a cheerful dining room or on the pleasant outdoor terrace.

The Jardin des Plantes is open to the public free of charge on afternoons (12:30pm - 5pm) Monday through Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm (9:30am to 6pm March through July). Guided tours are available.

Address: Rue Ecorchard or Place Sophie-Trébuchet, Nantes

Seemingly born from fantastical tales, the surreal world of Les Machines de l'Île delights children and adults alike. This incredible amusement park is found on the banks of the Loire River, across from the attractive Quai de la Fosse , a riverside embankment lined with handsome 18th-century houses.

Unbridled creativity and the technical savvy of machinists are the source of the park's amazing attractions. An enormous 48-ton mechanical steel elephant, the Grand Eléphant transports passengers on an exciting half-hour walking itinerary.

The magic of machines continues in the Galerie des Machines . which presents a giant spider, an enormous ant, and an aviary with flying birds, all skillfully crafted from machines.

Les Machines de l'Île earned a 2014 Thea Award for its Carrousel des Mondes Marins , which means it is considered one of the most original children's attractions in the world. An impressive three-level structure, the carrousel takes visitors on a spin through a marvelous ocean-themed scene. The carrousel seats feature artistically rendered sculptures of marine creatures, fish, sailboats, and seashells.

The Mémorial de l'Abolition de l'Esclavage (Abolition of Slavery Memorial Museum) is dedicated to sharing the legacy of slavery, which is intertwined with the history of Nantes.

Covering 1.73 acres along the banks of the Loire River, a memorial walking path commemorates over a thousand slave ships that departed from Nantes. Below the riverside esplanade, an underground passageway displays the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Abolition of Slavery Memorial Museum presents exhibits on the history of slavery, with a special focus on the slave trade in Nantes from the 17th century until the mid-19th century and the 18th-century abolitionist movement in North America.

The museum is open every day from 9am to 6pm (until 8pm from mid-May through mid-September). There is no charge to visit the museum or the outdoor memorial space.

Address: Quai de la Fosse, Passerelle Victor-Schoelcher, Nantes

Official site: http://memorial.nantes.fr/en/

An attraction that is sure to delight kids, this small playground features creative installations, such as a rhinoceros and dragon, that are designed to spark children's imaginations. There are areas for kids to run, jump, and play, while they take part in exciting adventures.

The Aire de Jeux playground is located within the Square Élisa Mercoeur park (near the Château des Ducs de Bretagne) and is open every day, free of charge.

Address: Square Élisa Mercoeur, Cours John Kennedy, Nantes

Just a 20-minute drive from Nantes, the Planète Sauvage safari park introduces visitors to the exotic world of wild animals. Attractions include driving safari tours, complete with views of giraffes, lions, tigers, and zebras.

There are also walking tours to get a close look at pelicans, tortoises, and tiny African antelopes.

Kids especially love the entertaining water acrobatics performances given by a group of dolphins at the park's Cité Marine theater.

For those who want to get as close as possible to the experience of going on a safari vacation in Africa, the Planète Sauvage offers authentic safari-style lodges. Each beautifully designed lodge features large bay windows and a spacious terrace for viewing the animals.

Address: Planète Sauvage, La Chevalerie, 44710 Port-Saint-Père

For tourists, the Quartier Bouffay or the Quartier Graslin of Nantes' historic center offer the convenience of being close to many shops and restaurants. The medieval Quartier Bouffay has a charming old-world ambience, as well as trendy restaurants and cafés. The Quartier Graslin suits travelers who appreciate luxury shopping and a sophisticated nightlife that includes fine dining and opera performances.

Most of the Nantes hotels fall into the mid-range and budget categories. Truly luxurious hotels are found about 45 minutes to a one-hour drive outside of the Nantes city center. For instance, the seaside resort town of La Baule on the Atlantic Coast has many upscale five-star resorts.

Luxury Hotels :

• In parkland about a 45-minute drive from Nantes, a 15th-century château has been transformed into the five-star Domaine de la Bretesche . The refined decor pays homage to tradition while incorporating contemporary touches. Thanks to its exceptional services and facilities, the hotel is listed as a prestigious Relais & Châteaux property. Guests will enjoy the property's golf course, fitness center, tennis courts, spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and gastronomic restaurant.
• Another Relais & Châteaux property, Le Castel Marie-Louise pampers guests in old-fashioned style. In the seaside resort of La Baule (about an hour's drive from Nantes), the hotel occupies a grand Belle Epoque mansion near the beach. Many of the guest rooms offer ocean views. The five-star property includes a fine-dining restaurant with garden terrace seating, a golf course, and concierge services.
• The five-star Hôtel Barrière Le Royal - La Baule provides upscale resort accommodations in La Baule, surrounded by pine groves and near the beach. The bright, spacious interior lends the feel of a relaxing seaside villa. Superior and deluxe guest rooms offer stunning ocean views. The hotel has seven restaurants ranging from classic to casual, plus a café. Other amenities include an indoor swimming pool and outdoor saltwater pool, spa, fitness center, and childcare services.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• In the Quartier Graslin, near the Place Graslin and the Passage Pommeraye, the Oceania Hôtel de France is steps away from many shops, cafés, and restaurants. This four-star hotel occupies an 18th-century mansion that has been renovated in sleek contemporary style. Amenities include a fitness center, trendy lounge, room service, and a breakfast option for an additional charge.
• The four-star Hôtel La Pérouse Nantes is found at the edge of the Quartier Bouffay, about a 10-minute walk to the Château des Ducs de Bretagne. The hotel's avant-garde 20th-century building is a masterpiece of modern architecture, awarded the European Union Ecologic Label for environmentally friendly design. Minimalistic rooms are outfitted with luxury bedding and updated bathrooms. For an additional charge, the hotel serves petit déjeuner (breakfast) prepared from artisanal and organic ingredients.
• In the Quartier Graslin, the Mercure Nantes Centre Grand Hotel is ideally located near the Place Royale and the Passage Pommeraye. This four-star hotel features stylish modern decor. Amenities include a restaurant, fitness center, parking, and concierge services. Breakfast is available for an additional charge.

Budget Hotels:

• The three-star ibis Styles Nantes Centre Place Royale is tucked away on a side street in the Quartier Graslin near the Place Royale. This modern hotel provides comfortable and stylish rooms at budget rates. Breakfast is included.
• Just steps away from the Cours Cambronne, the Hôtel Le Cambronne offers surprisingly affordable accommodations in the fashionable Quartier Graslin. This one-star hotel has small and basic but sufficient guest rooms. A typical French petit déjeuner is available for an additional charge.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Cultured Cities and Castles : Nantes could be visited as a day trip from Paris , just 2.5 hours away by train. Travelers could also make Nantes their base for a travel itinerary that includes the sights of the Loire Valley , famous for its magnificent Renaissance châteaux, and Brittany , a region brimming with fairy-tale castles, medieval cities, and quaint fishing villages. A few of the most cultured Breton towns include Rennes, the region's old capital; Quimper, which has top-notch museums; and the artists' village of Pont-Aven.

Atlantic Coast Seaside Resorts : A one-hour drive from Nantes, La Baule in Brittany boasts expansive sandy beaches and an excellent choice of oceanfront hotels. Another favorite Breton seaside destination is Dinard (a two-hour drive from Nantes), which is one of the best beach resorts in France . Less than two hours south of Nantes is the historic port town of La Rochelle and the picturesque seaside resort of Île de Ré, prized for its unspoiled sandy beaches and UNESCO-listed capital, Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

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To awaken your senses in the Loire Valley - Claire & Manu's Blog

Visit Nantes in 3 days: our itineraries (photos + tips)

by Emmanuel ROBINSON , Region Lovers | February 23, 2024 | no intrusive ads, no sponsored content, just some affiliate links - if you use them, we get a small commission (read more)

Visiting Nantes in 3 days means having time to discover the city's main museums, gardens, activities, hotels and restaurants. But it is also a way to feel the soul of this city with a rich port past that has reinvented itself to face this new millennium.

In this article, we offer you a detailed itinerary that will allow you to discover the city under its different facets: cultural, creative or gourmet.

But first of all, we give you some practical advice to avoid unnecessary inconveniences during your stay.

This guide is completely independent , based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Practical advice to visit Nantes in 3 days

1. getting around in nantes: prefer public transport.

Having some experience in this field, we can assure you that the city of Nantes is a nightmare to drive in . This is due to the growth of the city in recent years and to the Loire and its tributaries, the crossing of which is always a headache, the number of bridges being necessarily limited.

But Nantes is one of the French cities with the best public transport facilities. It was one of the first to reinstate the tramway , in 1984, and already offers 3 lines, 83 stations and 44 km of tracks. 3 other lines will be created by 2026.

It was also a pioneer in the development of the "Busway " or exclusive right-of-way bus system, with buses running on lanes that are exclusively reserved for them and with appropriate signage.

Finally, it has deployed a self-service bicycle solution with more than 120 stations and 1,000 bicycles available.

2. Opt for the city-pass

The city of Nantes provides city passes , called Pass Nantes, which exist in a 3-day package.

It will give you access to the public transportation network we just mentioned (including the airport shuttle), to the main museums and sites of the city (Dukes of Brittany castle, Art Museum, Elephant of Nantes...) and even to dedicated tours (Voyage à Nantes, Petit Train, CityTour bus)

We strongly recommend that you buy it in advance to avoid wasting time on site and waiting in line. See the conditions and book your City pass.

3. Weather: be prepared

During the 3 days in Nantes, it is more than likely that you will discover the joys of the Nantes weather! The city is indeed subject to the winds and rains that arrive from the Atlantic and that can in a few minutes transform a beautiful day into an intense shower.

On average, it rains 168 days a year for 89 days of sunshine, but in lesser amounts than in many French cities. It is common to say that in Nantes, the weather is nice several times a day!

In any case, bring something to protect yourself from bad weather . We don't recommend umbrellas, which can easily be turned over if the wind picks up!

OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire

• Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
• Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
• Think about full insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
• There is a lot of demand, book it early .

As you can see, there is no lack of beautiful addresses in Nantes and you should not hesitate to change hotels from one night to the next, if you have the courage to discover these beautiful places full of hope. Luggage storage facilities are available at these hotels so that you don't have to carry your luggage around with you during the day.

In any case, we strongly advise you to choose a hotel in the center , to avoid wasting time in traffic jams during office hours.

• Discover our list of the 12 best hotels and our advice on where to sleep in Nantes .

5. Make choices

You will see in this article, there is no lack of visits in Nantes, with a beautiful diversity and sites that require a minimum of time to visit .

We are really in favor of "less is more " so as not to overload your 2 days in Nantes and soak up the special atmosphere of the city.

6. The map of the main monuments and visits of Nantes

Finally, we offer you a simplified map of the main places to visit in the city, as well as the names of the districts that make up the city center.

Essentials of Nantes in 3 days - our itinerary

3 days may seem like a lot, but when you see all the things to do in Nantes, the days will be quite full. We have taken care to optimize travel time, which can be done either on foot (distances are reasonable) or by streetcar (when tired).

Are you ready? Let's go and discover the many treasures of Nantes .

Day 1 - 9h-11h: The Elephant of Nantes and the machines of the island

Your journey begins on the island of Nantes, in the heart of the city, between two arms of the Loire.

In less than 10 years, the Elephant of Nantes has become the emblem of the city . From an industrial and port city, it is becoming a creative and cultural city, without turning its back on its roots, its know-how and its history.

Located on the site of the former shipyards, this site immerses visitors in the fantastic world of the Nantes-based author Jules Verne , with its bizarre metal and wood machines, including the gigantic 12-meter-high Elephant (a 4-storey building).

The visit takes place in 3 stages:

• The Elephant's walk : several times a day, the Elephant goes out on the esplanade of the old building sites for a long stroll. It carries 52 visitors for each half-hour trip. If you want to go on board, we advise you to make a reservation or to try your luck when you arrive on site, as some tickets are only sold on site.

• The gallery of machines : a surprising visit in the bestiary of Jules Verne between heron, hummingbird and other monarch butterflies, but also a discovery of the know-how of the designers of these fantastic animals.
• The carousel of the marine worlds : find your childlike soul for a ride on the ingenious carousel that will take you 20,000 places under the sea.
• All our advice and many photos to prepare your visit to the Elephant of Nantes and the machines of the island .

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Day 1 - 11h-11h45: The Museum of Men and Technology

Installed in the historic building of the Ateliers et Chantiers de Nantes, this museum perpetuates the memory of the "shipbuilders " who settled on the island of Nantes for over 200 years.

More than 120 objects illustrate the know-how of the 7600 workers, technicians and engineers who worked on the site at its peak in 1954.

11:45-12:15 Buren's rings

A little after the Museum of Men and Techniques, at the tip of the island, is the lively Quai des Antilles with its many restaurants, its Voyage à Nantes canteen, and its theaters.

The French artist Daniel Buren , who made French cultural history by installing his 260 "columns" in the main courtyard of the Palais-royal garden in Paris, needs no introduction.

In Nantes, the artist invites you to see the city from a new angle in each of the 18 rings that punctuate the quay.

Each ring bears his visual and artistic signature , an alternating white and colored band 8.7 centimeters wide, which he has been carrying around the world since 1965.

Day 1 - 12h30-14h: lunch at the restaurant Le 1

We remain on the island of Nantes for the lunch, with the excellent restaurant Le 1.

For several years, it has symbolized the gastronomic revival of the city. It always offers a modern and creative cuisine that attempts to merge the 4 continents.

On sunny days, you can eat on the banks of the Loire for a magical moment.

Day 1 - 2:30-3:30 pm: Jules Verne Museum

We cross the Loire to discover the rebellious district of Chantenay. The family of the famous writer Jules Verne from Nantes owned a house in which he forged memories that would populate his work.

It is undeniable that Jules Verne's numbers are directly inspired by his youth in Nantes and continue to irrigate the city even today, like The Elephant of Nantes and The Machines of the Island.

The museum offers you a journey to the center of Jules Verne's work , from the sources of inspiration (railroads, travels...) to the publication of the novels (role of the publisher of the illustrated books Pierre-Jules Hetzel). This tour is proposed through manuscripts, illustrations or objects that belonged to the writer.

Day 2 - 3:30-4:00 pm: The Lookout Walk

Starting from the museum, discover the walk of the 7 belvederes which give you a beautiful view on the Loire and the city, as well as on the extraordinary garden for some of them. We particularly like the belvedere of the Hermitage designed by the Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata, with its wooden overhang above the void.

16h-17h30: Exploration of the Extraordinary Garden

Installed in a former quarry in the rebellious district of Chantenay, this garden is an evocation of the dreamlike universe of the writer Jules Verne, populated by numerous animals and unusual plants.

The program includes a waterfall , cliffs of 25 meters high, tree ferns , banana trees or papyrus and lotus that enjoy the omnipresent water!

A change of scenery guaranteed...

Day 1 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Memorial of the Abolition of Slavery

On your way back to the city center, by foot or by streetcar, visit the discreet memorial of the abolition of slavery.

A long gallery of rough concrete, under the riverside of the Loire , takes you into the memory of slavery, but also to the discovery of the enlightened minds that led to its abolition.

A solemn and necessary place , in the heart of one of the main former French slave ports of the not so distant 18 th century. Admission is free.

Day 1 - 7-8:30 pm: dinner at imagine restaurant

Because creativity does not stop at the restaurant door, we invite you to taste the cuisine of the young chef Anne Lise GENOUËL who opened, at 28 years old, her restaurant Imagine 2 steps from Place Graslin in 2018.

In addition to the warm atmosphere, we liked this combination of incredible flavors where the spices come to divert our palates for our greatest pleasure.

Proof of the creativity of the chef, the menu changes every week at lunchtime and at least once a month in the evening!

• Discover our review and many pictures after our lunch at Imagine restaurant .

Day 1 - Your night, choose your hotel in Nantes

We have a full article with our selection of the 12 best hotels in Nantes , but we offer our top 4 options in relation to this itinerary:

• Sozo Hotel : 2 steps from the Jardin des Plantes, sleep in an authentic 19th century church converted into a 4 star hotel with a strong design. See our detailed article on the night we spent at the Sozo Hotel / see prices, photos and availability.

• Blu Radisson Nantes : housed in the former courthouse, an incredible neoclassical building, the Blu Radisson condemns you to a quiet night. See our detailed article on the night we spent at the Blu Radisson Nantes / see prices, photos and availability.

• Hôtel de France Océnia : The former mansion of Jean Joseph Graslin, modern builder of Nantes, became a mythical hotel of Nantes in the twentieth century and has been completely updated in 2014. See our detailed article on the night we spent at the France Oceania hotel / see prices, photos and availability.

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Day 2 - 9h-11h: Nantes Castle (Dukes of Brittany)

To start this second day, we went to the impressive castle of Nantes and the Dukes of Brittany . Built from the 13th century, it enters the history of France at the end of the 15th century, under the impulse of Anne of Brittany. Through her successive marriages to 2 kings of France (Henry VIII and Louis XII), she ensured the attachment of Brittany to France.

The castle can only be visited from the outside, but there is much to see:

• The defensive structures (towers, bastion, old keep ( XIIIth century), châtelet and enclosures) to be admired first from the moat and then by walking the covered way.
• From the courtyard, the royal dwelling with its tower of the golden crown and its beautiful loggias very richly sculpted, at the crossroads of Gothic and Renaissance styles.

• The great Government built by Louis XIV in a neoclassical style to replace part of the house destroyed by fire in the 17 th century.
• The other buildings of the castle: the conciergerie, the small government and the harnessing building.
• All our advices and many pictures to visit the castle of Nantes (Dukes of Brittany) .

Day 2 - 11am-12:30pm: Nantes History Museum

Located in the castle of Nantes, the Museum of the History of Nantes traces the history of the city, from prehistory to the most contemporary periods. No less than 1150 objects are presented in the 32 rooms (+1 dedicated to families) of the Museum.

The museum quality is really exceptional, with a lot of interactivity, beautiful settings, a comprehensible division...

Day 2 - 12:30 - 2:00 pm Lunch at the restaurant l'Amenité

After this very dense visit, we propose you to have lunch at the restaurant l'Amenité . Located in the Bouffay district, not far from the castle, it is for us one of the best restaurants in Nantes.

In the kitchen, the truculent Richard Cornet , also a London trader and psychotherapist, who had the happy idea to reconvert to cooking.

They offer a market cuisine with multiple flavors and a perfect mastery of cooking and textures, all for an unbeatable quality/price ratio in Nantes, in our opinion.

• Discover our opinion and many photos on the restaurant l'Aménité

Day 2 - 2pm-3pm Parc de l'île de Versailles

To digest your good meal, we suggest you to discover the small park of the island of Versailles which is surrounded by the river Erdre. On former swamps, a beautiful small Japanese garden , with traditional tea room, rockery composition and mini waterfalls.

The Maison de l'Erdre offers exhibitions on the ecosystem of this river which crosses Nantes before flowing into the Loire via the Saint-Félix canal.

Day 2 - 3:00-3:45 pm: Feydeau Island and Place Royale

On the way to your next visit, take the time to admire 2 surprising places in the city:

• The Royal Square : one of the largest squares in the city, with its Haussmannian and neoclassical quarter-circle buildings

• The Feydeau district : formerly an island, it has only been attached to the right bank since 1938 and has an impressive 18th century architectural heritage that we owe to the city's rich shipowners and merchants.

Day 2 - 16h-17h: Museum of Printing and Graphic Arts

Just a stone's throw from the Passage Pommeraye, discover the very surprising and enchanting Museum of Printing and Bookmaking . You can discover the machines that preceded our digital presses.

Far from being a dusty museum, the machines are still in working order and make art prints before your eyes! Numerous training courses allow to perpetuate the memory and the know-how of the printing trades: master printer, typesetter...

The icing on the cake is a small exhibition of printed works to conclude the visit. We were lucky enough to come across an exhibition of printed drawings by the talented Doctor Paper who reinterprets the world (almost the same passion as ours!).

Day 2 - 17h-17h30: Cours Cambronne

Formerly the seat of the Capuchin religious congregation, the Cours Cambronne was entirely redesigned under the impetus of the influential Joseph Graslin , who transformed the entire district of Nantes at the end of the 18th century.

A landmark of middle-class life in Nantes in the 19th and 20th centuries, it is bordered by 16 listed neoclassical buildings , and the park is home to rare Magnolia species , of which the city of Nantes preserves the national reference collection.

Day 2 - 5:30-6:30pm: Discover the Passage Pommeraye

Leaving La Cigale, go down the luxurious and commercial street Crébillon to reach the high entrance of the passage Pommeraye on rue de Santueil.

This magnificent covered shopping mall built between 1840 and 1843, is a jewel of neoclassical art that symbolizes the gentrification of the city of Nantes carried by its flourishing port activity in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Inspired by the many Parisian passages, it is unique in Europe because of its sloping plan, with a difference in level of more than 9 meters between its high and low points, which was to be easily climbed by the elegant ladies.

In addition to the magnificent decorations which borrow from the renaissance style but also baroque, we invite you to enjoy the incredible light which reigns in this place. We owe it to the impressive glass roofs and to the lighting, first gas, now led, which illuminate the passage advantageously.

• Our anecdotes and tips for not missing anything from the Passage Pommeraye

Day 2 - 7:30-9:00 pm: Dinner at La Cigale - Place Graslin

After this beautiful and dense 2nd day, let's go to a Nantes institution for your dinner, the brasserie La Cigale located on the beautiful Place Graslin .

On this square, a sign stands out, that of the chic brasserie La Cigale . Inaugurated in 1895, it is a real Nantes institution, as much appreciated for a tea with a small pastry in the middle of a shopping day, as for a dinner after a weekend by the sea.

But, even if its cuisine is of high quality, what makes it really unique is its art nouveau décor entirely created by Nantes artists and which humorously depicts the bourgeois mores of Nantes society at the end of the 19th century. You will notice that the cicada is a bit sulky, wearing a tutu and carrying a mandolin.

• Our opinion and many photos on the restaurant La Cigale in Nantes

Day 3 - 9:30am-12pm: Parc Floral de la Beaujoire in Nantes

For this third and last day, we suggest you to take the tramway, to get out of the city center and discover the magnificent floral park of Beaujoire .

On more than 14 hectares, they present 16000 varieties of roses (flowering mainly in May-June), but also 400 species of magnolias (flowering from the beginning of March to June) and a beautiful iris garden (flowering March-April).

This garden was created in 1971 to host one of the most important events for ornamental plants, the Floralies .

Day 3 - 12:30-14:30: Lunch at the Manoir de la Régate

Before returning to the center of Nantes, we suggest you prolong this moment of nature, by lunching at the excellent Manoir de la Régate . In a protected setting on the banks of the Erdre, this starred restaurant has been in the hands of the Pérou family since 1995.

It is the new generation, barely thirty years old, which offers you a gustatory and gastronomic journey just incredible , between beet bread, pike-perch of the Loire stewed in clay and Bottereau nantais with kiwi and mint!

The chef, Matthieu Pérou, flavors his dishes with wild flowers and herbs picked along the Erdre River. Another way to do botany!

• Back in photos on this exceptional dinner at the Manoir de la Régate in Nantes .

Day 3 - 3-6pm: Museum of Art

We hope you are not tired and that you are ready to fall under the spell of the incredible Nantes Museum of Art .

Created in 1801 and completely reinvented in 2017, it offers one of the most beautiful collections of paintings in France, in a setting that is just exceptional , both architecturally, but also in the quality of the hanging.

The ancient art , carried by the Italian painters and the religious painting, rubs shoulders with the treasures of the modern art , with in particular a very beautiful collection Kandinsky, without forgetting the emblematic painters of the XIXth century (Courbet, Monet, Delacroix).

A great moment for us, it was difficult to leave

Day 3 - 6pm-7pm: Lieu Unique

We suggest you finish your stay by discovering the Lieu Unique , which symbolizes the transition underway in Nantes. During your stay, you must have seen this art deco tower that seems to serve as a lighthouse in the old port city.

Today converted into a cultural place, the unique place was the headquarters of the famous cookie factory LU which closed its doors in 1986. There used to be 2 towers of 38 meters high , but only one survived the bombings of the 2nd World War.

In addition to the visit of the tower which will allow you to better know the history of the place, do not hesitate to take the time to visit one of the current exhibitions, the programming is of very good quality.

We invite you to have a drink or a coffee at the bar of the unique place , in the hall with the indus decoration or in the terrace. You will surely come across those who keep the cultural and bohemian life of Nantes alive.

A nice way to end these 3 days of visit in our company!

Option 1 - add tours

As there is not only one way to visit Nantes, we propose you below some original ideas to discover the city differently.

Follow the green line

The green line runs over 24 kilometers of sidewalks, stairs and other narrow streets in the city of Nantes.

Every summer since 2012, as part of the voyage to Nantes, she offers tourists an artistic stroll through the city. On the program, about forty places and monuments presenting a particular cultural interest or reinterpreted by artists.

Very innovative when it was launched, the green line is in the middle of an institutionalization phase, which makes it lose some of its vitality . Nevertheless, it remains a nice alternative for those who want to see the urban space through the eyes of artists.

Original tricks

• Private visit according to your expectations with a passionate Nantais - See prices and availability .
• Visit the highlights of the city by Segway : a mode of transport now well known in tourist cities and quite adapted to travel in Nantes, outside the hyper center - See prices and availability .
• Even if the traffic is not easy in Nantes, you can opt for a discovery of the city in a 2CV Citroën , the mythical French deuche - See prices and availability .
• Guided tour of the city with an audioguide directly accessible on your smartphone, to learn all about the history of the city - See the price of the audioguide of Nantes .
• Need to motivate your children to discover the city, opt for an outdoor escape game with the city as a playground - See price and conditions .

Option 2 - alternatives with children to spend 3 days in Nantes

If you can motivate your children for 3 days, you are very strong! But because we are realistic, we have provided you with some alternatives that might interest them and some ideas to motivate them:

Kid-friendly restaurants in Nantes

Even if your children are welcome in all the restaurants we have selected, we suggest 3 alternatives, easier for young palates, but in which we eat healthy.

Sugar Blu Restaurant

Our favorite canteen in Nantes, where everything is ultra-fresh and the atmosphere is definitely friendly , reminding us of the brown cafés in Amsterdam.

No doubt you'll find something to satisfy their sometimes fussy stomachs, and to please yourself as well! Quiches, salads, burrito... for the main course and a nice collection of desserts , each one more delicious than the other (guaranteed success): brownie, scone, carrot cake...

Restaurant "Le coin des crêpes

A sure value with children (and which does not displease the parents), a good creperie . Even if we are not quite in Brittany, we know how to make beautiful pancakes in Nantes and to marry the pancakes with the greedy tradition of the city (the cookie factories BN and LU testify it...).

So that they don't feel too cramped, we recommend "Le coin des crêpes ", Cours des 50 otages, not far from the Passage Pommeraye, where we enjoyed ourselves.

Restaurant Coq Monsieur

Another great classic of the kitchen for our children: the croque-monsieur ! At Coq Monsieur, it is available in 10 gourmet recipes and served with French fries (and salad).

Installed in one of the small pedestrian streets of Bouffay, it will satisfy everyone and in a good mood!

Where to have a snack break with your children in Nantes

For the snack break , you have a lot of choices. Our 2 favorites (of which Eugenie knows the map by heart):

• Near the castle, Chez Dinette , a very cosy tea room, with a brocante atmosphere, where you can taste home-made pastries: crumble (that we love...), carrot cake, banana caramel pie.

• We really like the tea-time proposal from the brasserie La Cigale, which we told you about earlier. You will have to face a formidable choice: gourmet ice creams (special mention for the nutcracker: caramel and hazelnut ice creams with cookie chips) or the terrible home-made pastries, including the famous Nantes cake.

Other places to visit with children in Nantes

The water mirror.

The water mirror is a must-see in any large French city and is located at the foot of the castle. They can either admire the beautiful reflections or refresh themselves while exercising.

Natural History Museum

The natural history museum is a sure bet with children and the one in Nantes is in the process of updating itself to continue to captivate them with its very rich collections.

Adventurers, ship owners and other naturalists have contributed over the last two centuries to make the Natural History Museum of Nantes one of the most important in France .

Between stuffed vertebrate animal specimens, vivarium with friendly live snakes and collection of minerals and rocks , they will not know where to turn!

Option 3 - alternatives for garden and botanical enthusiasts

As you are in Nantes for 3 days, take advantage of this time to discover some of the most beautiful gardens of the city of 100 parks (actually 101, according to the official count of the City Hall).

In addition to the Extraordinary Garden and the Garden of the Island of Versaille already included in our 3-day itinerary, we offer 2 alternatives depending on your botanical interests.

Garden of plants of Nantes

On 7 hectares , the plant garden, one of the largest in France, presents more than 10,000 living species , some of which are preserved in beautiful greenhouses, which can be visited with a city gardener.

You will also come across playful works of art , which we owe to the author and illustrator for young people, Claude Ponti, but also a funny greenhouse designed by the machines of the island.

Note that if you have not succumbed to the Fraiseraie you can opt for a gourmet break at the orangery .

Grand Blottereau Park

With 22 hectares, the Grand Blottereau park is the largest in Nantes and also one of the most amazing. Its exotic vocation , inherited from its first patron, the wealthy Nantes merchant Hyppolite Durand-Gasselin, and its pedagogical orientation (headquarters of the horticultural high school of Nantes), make it a place of experimentation and learning about plants in life size .

Throughout your journey, you will discover landscapes of different continents reconstituted, from the American bayou, to the hill of Suncheon (Korea) without forgetting the Mediterranean rock garden.

You can also discover the rich collection of exotic species in the dry greenhouse (jojoba, baobab and other kapok) and in the one reproducing a humid climate (ebony, mahogany, banana trees, cocoa trees...)

The best things to do in Nantes in video

And finally, a short video to inspire you!

PLAN YOUR STAY IN Nantes

Itineraries

• 5 thematic itineraries to visit Nantes in 1 day
• Our advice to visit Nantes in 2 days , or in 3 days

• 15 best things to do in Nantes
• 8 best museums to do in Nantes
• Our tips for the elephant and the machines
• Visit the castle of Nantes
• All about the village of Trentemoult

• 12 best hotels to stay in Nantes
• 15 best restaurants to eat in Nantes
• How to rent a car at Nantes airport

HE MADE THE TRIP AND WROTE THE ARTICLE Manu

The 10 commitments of region lovers.

• Visit all the places we tell you about.
• For each city, sleep in at least one hotel, visit the ones we recommend.
• For each city, eat in at least one restaurant, visit the ones we select.
• Pay all our bills in full, refuse any partnership or sponsorship.
• Update our articles periodically, with the help of our readers.
• Enrich our articles with our on-site experiences.
• Use 99% of our own photos
• Have a reasoned and transparent use of the AI tool, which we feed with our locally verified information.
• Inform about the traveler/writer pairing that gave birth to the article.
• Tell you what we do, and do what we tell you!

Claire and Manu

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12 Best Things To Do In Nantes, France

By: Author Christine Rogador

Posted on Published: June 4, 2020  - Last updated: September 20, 2022

Situated by the Loire River in the Upper Brittany region of western France, Nantes is home to the brilliantly restored Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the fascinating Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes museum.

The city also has a long history as a port and industrial center, its attractions a wonderful mix of the old and the new.

From historic centers to lush green parks and unique museums, most sights in Nantes are within easy walking distance.

If you’re planning to visit the city, make the most of it with this guide on some of the best things to do in Nantes, France .

Things you'll find in this article

1. Admire the Château des Ducs de Bretagne

2. visit the nantes cathedral, 3. stroll through the jardin des plantes, 4. see the nantes arts museum, 5. meet the huge metal elephant at les machines de l’île de nantes museum, 6. wander around quartier bouffay, 7. relax in the jardin japonais, 8. watch opera at theatre graslin, 9. shop in passage pommeraye, 10. wander around talensac market, 11. sample some nantes wines, travel tips and resources.

An important historical monument and one of the most visited Nantes attractions is the stunning Château des Ducs de Bretagne (The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany ).

This beautifully restored castle was built around the 14th century and it’s one of the most beautiful castles in France . The ramparts and other buildings were added until the 18th century.

Located in the heart of the city, the castle is home to the Nantes History Museum.

Visitors can visit and have a closer look at the rooms in the castle, but another must-see is the 500-meter path at the top of the ramparts. This area provides a stunning view of the castle as well as the city of Nantes.

The main church in Nantes, the  Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes, is another important historic monument.

Comparable to the size of the Notre Dame in Paris, the cathedral has a distinct white facade surrounded by 2 huge towers. It also has a terrace on top that offers panoramic views over the city.

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is one of the most interesting places to visit in Nantes.

Some of the must-see parts of the church are the Romanesque crypts that house the cathedral’s treasures, an exhibition about the cathedral’s history, and the great pipe museum.

Within easy walking distance from the chateau and the cathedral is the picturesque Jardin des Plantes.

At seven hectares, this is among the largest gardens in France . This is among the best attractions in Nantes that’s ideal for a relaxing stroll, in between exploring the city’s historic sites.

The lush gardens are home to an 800-square meter greenhouse that are filled with colorful seasonal flowers. There are also fountains set throughout the gardens which add to its relaxing atmosphere.

You can’t miss the Nantes Arts Museum, as it’s along the promenade between the cathedral and the Jardin des Plantes. The museum recently underwent a renovation that lasted for six years.

The museum was created in 1801 and registered as a historical monument in 1975.

A visit here is one of the best things to do in Nantes, as it houses an impressive collection of art.

Here, you’ll see galleries and exhibitions featuring paintings , photographs, and installations of ancient to contemporary art.

You won’t always meet a huge metal elephant walking around a city, but this is exactly one of the best things to see in Nantes.

Founded by Francois Delaroiziere and Pierre Orefice, the impressive Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes Museum is a must-visit in Nantes.

This place is also a laboratory and carousel park that both kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy. You may even ride the metal elephant if you want, just book your ticket in advance.

Being in Quartier Bouffay is like walking into the city of Nantes from centuries ago. This medieval quarter is the area around the Château des Ducs de Bretagne.

Here, you’ll find maze-like cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses. You will also encounter structures that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, starting with the Porte Saint-Pierre.

This 13th-century monument pretty much ushers in visitors into the old-world charms of Quartier Bouffay, which is one of the most fascinating places to see in Nantes.

You can also enjoy some delicious treats from a bakery, enjoy a crepe, relax in a cafe, or savor a meal in a traditional restaurant.

You can even do a bit of shopping, as the streets around Place du Bouffay is home to quaint little shops and authentic local goodies.

Situated in the picturesque Quai Henri Barbusse neighborhood in Nantes, the charming Jardin Japonais is another must-visit. This garden park may be small, but it offers an idyllic respite from exploring grand and quirky structures around the city.

Stroll along or stop and relax by the ponds, see the rock gardens, waterfalls , and exotic plants, mostly of Oriental origin.

Jardin Japonais is a lovely place to visit in Nantes all year round, but especially during spring when the cherry blossoms create a colorful canopy on certain areas of the park.

Built in the late 18th century by the renowned architect Mathurin Crucy, the imposing Theatre Graslin was inaugurated in 1788.

However, it was destroyed by a fire shortly after its opening. It underwent reconstruction and restoration in 1811, and again in 2003.

Along with the Grand Theatre d’Angers, it is the most popular opera house in Nantes.

Designed with Roman and Greek influences, the facade of Theatre Graslin features eight imperial columns. This Nantes attraction is one of those places that look amazing in photos, aside from offering some must-see opera performances.

One of the best places to visit in Nantes, Passage Pommeraye offers a unique shopping experience. This vintage shopping mall is in the heart of Nantes, in Rue de la Fosse, and was built in the mid-19th century.

How many times can you find yourself in a Renaissance-style mall? Definitely not always, so a visit here is a must. It has three floors and houses twenty-five elegant shops.

Classified as a historic monument, the Passage Pommeraye features beautiful marble staircases and a glass ceiling.

This is the place to go if you’d like to shop for some accessories, clothes, jewelry , or simply want to admire the enjoy the vintage atmosphere.

While in any French city. It is a must to shop at a genuine French food market .

In Nantes, the place to go is Talensac, which is located close to the city center. Talensac hosts over 200 stalls in three different sections.

Here, you can buy everything from fresh produce to local delicacies , as well as cheeses , chocolates and different wines. There are also clothes and souvenir products, so make it a point to stop by.

Nantes is in the Loire which us a recognized wine region, therefore you cannot leave the city without sampling some wine.

Enjoy a few sips at the cool wine bar, such as La Comédie des Vins in Rue Suffren. Be sure to sample some white wine which Nantes is famous for.  Two of the most recommended are Muscadet and Gros Plant.

Here and in most wine bars in Nantes, you’ll surely learn more about the local and regional wines from their friendly and knowledgeable staff.

12. End the day at Le Nid

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Le Nid Nantes (@lenidnantes) on Jun 4, 2017 at 12:44pm PDT

How about having wine in a rooftop bar? Going up to the towering Tour de Bretagne ( Brittany Tower) gives visitors a 360° view of Nantes.

Here, you’ll find the rooftop bar Le Nid, with its great selection of drinks as well as stunning views over the city from 144 meters up.

Located in the heart of the city, this is among the best things to do in Nantes at night.

Travel Insurance: I never leave home without travel insurance. My personal opinion is if you can afford to travel, you can afford to buy a travel insurance. All things can happen while on the road and you can never be too sure. And it's something that you'll be glad to have when you need it. For my preferred travel insurance, I use Safety Wing .

What To Wear: If you want some ideas on what to pack for France, check out this packing list guide for France .

Where To Stay: I personally use Booking.com for all my accommodations. Check out for their latest deals here .

Reading Resources: Check out our best reading resources here .

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.

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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

Looking for a holiday with a difference? Browse Guardian Holidays to see a range of fantastic trips

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2 Days in Nantes, France – Detailed Itinerary

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

Visit Nantes, France

Those who venture into Nantes , France, are rarely disappointed: it is a young and dynamic city that has managed to combine modernity while preserving and enhancing its historical heritage. Nantes is also one of the greenest cities in France, voted Europe’s green capital in 2013.

This often underrated French city is the capital of the region Pays de la Loire . Located by the Loire River, 380 km southwest of Paris, is possible to travel from Paris to Nantes in only two hours by TGV train.

Planning to spend a weekend in Nantes? Whether you prioritize sightseeing and ticking landmarks off of your bucket list or simply soaking in the atmosphere of a city, this 2 days in Nantes itinerary has you covered. For the perfect Nantes weekend, we recommend arriving at Nantes on Friday night, so you have 2 full days to visit Nantes.

How Many Days in Nantes? Nantes in 2 days is a good amount of time to explore the best places to see in Nantes. With 3 days in Nantes, you can consider other activities like wine tastings o a day trip from Nantes.

Weekend in Nantes: Where to Stay?

There is not a wide choice of accommodation in Nantes. However, the Nantes hotels are cheaper than in other major cities in France, so this could be a good opportunity to spoil yourself with a better room.

Logis Hôtel Duquesne : this hotel, located 100 meters from the Tour Bretagne, offers simple and individually decorated ensuite rooms for a good price. The breakfast (optional) is good.

Best Western Hôtel Graslin : this hotel is located in the heart of the Graslin neighborhood, a 2-minute walk from the Graslin theater, and offers comfortable rooms starting from 80€.

Okko Hotels Nantes Château : This modern 4-star hotel is simply the best hotel in central Nantes. The hotel proposes ensuite double rooms starting from 115€ night, breakfast included. This is the ideal choice for a high-end weekend in Nantes!

The Originals Nantes Voltaire Opéra : The hotel is perfectly located, just a 2- minute walk from the Graslin theater and a 10-minute walk from Ile de Nantes. The rooms are tiny but stylishly decorated, and the bed is super comfortable. The Originals Nantes Voltaire Opéra offers a continental buffet breakfast, which can be enjoyed in the dining room or the patio.

How to Spend 2 Days in Nantes – A Detailed Nantes Itinerary

What to do in Nantes in 2 days? Here’s the list of the best things to do in Nantes for a great Nantes weekend.

TIP: the 24hrs, 48hrs, or 72hrs Nantes City Pass includes access to the city’s main museums, public transportation tickets, cruises, and guided tours.

Two Days in Nantes: Day One

Château des ducs de bretagne.

After a good breakfast, head to the Château de Nantes and History Museum to learn about the city’s history.

Located in the city center, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne is one of the most impressive castles in Brittany , an elegant Gothic fortress dating from the 15th century. In Medieval times, Nantes was the capital city of Brittany, where the Dukes of Brittany had the court.

The visit to this French château is a must, especially the free tour of the ramparts. From the top of the ramparts, there are great views, in particular over the famous LU Tower (LU is a famous biscuits brand in France).

Outside the Château, there’s a sculpture of Anne de Bretagne , the most famous Duchess of Brittany, who became Queen of France by marriage.

Nantes Cathedral

Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul Cathedral (best known as the Nantes Cathedral) is an imposing building in the Gothic style worth a short visit. Construction began in the 15th century on the site of a Romanesque church, and it took four centuries to complete. Inside, don’t miss the tomb of François II, the last Duke of Brittany.

If you need a short break, there’s a little park just behind Nantes cathedral, perfect to rest.

Around Place Royale

After lunch, this Nantes itinerary visits Graslin, an elegant neighborhood shaped thanks to the industrial and financial success of the city in the 18th and 19th centuries. The semi-pedestrian area offers beautiful architecture, good shopping, and pleasant outdoor terraces for a coffee or a glass of wine.

The best way to explore this district is to wander in no particular direction. Sooner or later, however, you will end up at Place Royale, and your visit should also include the Graslin Square and Theater as well as the Passage Pommeraye , with architecture very similar to the covered passages of Paris .

To get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, don’t miss Cours Cambronne , a beautiful promenade garden.

Two Days in Nantes: Day Two

Day two of this Nantes weekend follows the Loire River and explores the Ile de Nantes , the city’s main river island.

Memorial of the Abolition of Slavery

In the 18th century, Nantes became the first slave port in France, being slave trading one of the main sources of the city’s success. On Quai de la Fosse , a planted esplanade has 2,000 plaques with names of ships that departed from Nantes on slave trade expeditions.

Below the ground, there’s an interesting exhibition about slave trading in Nantes and the world. The main African and American trading posts reveal the enormity of the abhorrent slave trafficking.

Jules Verne Museum

The Jules Verne Museum explores Jules Verne’s life and main works through some personal objects and objects and videos related to his most famous novels. The famous French author was born and raised in Nantes, so if you are a fan of Jules Verne’s novels, you cannot miss this place.

The museum is located on the top of a hill with good views over the Loire River and the Ile de Nantes. In the small garden just in front of the museum, you can find Capitan Nemo enjoying the views, go and say hi!

The statue of a lonely, dreamy boy sitting on the bench is supposed to be Jules Verne when he was a kid. The Jules Verne Museum has a reduced schedule; click here for the opening days and times.

Les Machines de l’Île

This Nantes visit ends with the Machines de l’Ile , the Machines of the Isle of Nantes. Located in the industrial wasteland of the city’s former shipyards, this artistic project brings together a set of crazy machines that seem straight out of Jules Verne’s imagination. Les Machines de l’Ile is the latest and a must-attraction of the city, and we have it listed as one of the best things to do in France !

Wander around the Isle on the back of a crazy elephant or visit the Galerie des Machines , where a team of mad builders is testing the new machines for the craziest project: a giant Heron Tree. Then, dive into the sea to explore the strangest marine creatures in the Sea World Carousel.

Practical Information for your Nantes Weekend

How to travel to nantes.

BY PLANE: If you don’t plan to visit Paris, you can save time and money by flying directly to Nantes Airport. Nantes-Atlantique Airport (NTE} is one of the international airports in France , with regular and seasonal international flights to many European countries, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey (seasonal flights), and Montréal Canada (seasonal flights). Click here for flight schedules and prices .

BY TRAIN: Nantes is well connected with the rest of France by TGV trains and regional trains. It is also possible to travel from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Nantes by direct TGV trains .

The best way to travel from Paris to Nantes is by TGV train. Trains leave from Paris Montparnasse train station, and the train ride only takes 2 hours. Click here for train schedules and prices .

2 Days in Nantes: Where to Eat

When visiting Nantes, you will find numerous restaurants offering all kinds of cuisines. Because Nantes was once part of Brittany, there are also many Breton crêperies offering delicious sweet and savory crêpes.

CAFÉ CULT’ (French cuisine): is a good choice for a quick lunch in the Bouffay neighborhood, the area explored during day 1. It is located at 2 Rue des Carmes, and it always has good reviews.

CAFÉ LE NID : this trendy place is located at Place de Bretagne, and more specifically on the 32nd floor of the Tour Bretagne , Nantes’ skyscraper. Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole city at sunset and sip a couple of cocktails until the city lights up.

HEB KEN CRÊPERIE: proposes yummy crêpes and desserts, inexpensive, and it is well located in a pedestrian lane in the Graslin district (5 rue de Guérande).

CAFÉ DE LA BRANCHE: it is located just in front of Galerie des Machines, and its terrace is the perfect place for a quick lunch on a beautiful, sunny day. The menu has only a few options (after all, it is a café), but I was more than happy with my pâtes au saumon and a glass of rosé wine!

Quai des Antilles has a lively atmosphere for the apéritif in the afternoon and also in the evening. You will find many restaurants offering all kinds of cuisine, with something for all budgets.

O’DECK RESTAURANT : located on the island, it is a good choice for a fancy dinner and breathtaking views of the Loire River from the terrace.

Click here for more City Guides

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• 10 Reasons Why You Should...

Reasons Why You Should Visit Nantes at Least Once

Nantes is the perfect destination for a city break. It’s a vibrant university city where history and the present day are fused to offer visitors art, culture and fun (not to mention really tasty cuisine… you’re in France, after all). Here are Culture Trip’s top reasons why Nantes should be on your holiday radar. Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.

Machines of the isle.

Let your inner child come out and play at Machines de l’île . This unique spot, inspired by the works of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, is an artistic theme park (of sorts!) for the entire family. The iconic giant elephant is the star of the show, of course, but the impressive workshop with other mechanical creatures is also a must-see. This is a truly unique mini universe that shows a great deal about the history of Nantes.

Île de Nantes

Île de Nantes is an island neighbourhood of Nantes located in the city centre, surrounded by the Loire River. Part of a massive redevelopment project, Île de Nantes is a fascinating section of the city to spend some time in. It comprises four districts. If you’re looking for art, head over to Republic, and to walk off that lunch, stroll through the Parc de Beaulieu. The Quai des Antilles is also one of the island’s highlights – here, you’ll find wide paths for strolling, bar terraces and the impressive installations.

Château country

Nantes is the city to use as a base if you want to do some rural exploring as well. You’re on the edge of Château country, so if you hire a car during your stay, you’ll be able to delve into the gorgeous Loire Valley and explore some of France’s most stunning castles. One of the biggest attractions in Nantes county is the Chenonceau chateau in Loire Valley. Reading our guide to The Most Magical Châteaux and Castles in the Loire Valley is a good place to start if this is right up your alley.

Beach day trips

As well as being on the edge of Château country, Nantes is only a hop, skip and a jump to the sea. This makes Nantes just as attractive for summer breaks as it does winter; when you’ve seen the sights, schedule a few day trips to the beach. One of the nearby gems to the southwest is the stunning island Noirmoutier-en-l’Île. Sand dunes meet pine forests, all within a couple of hours drive.

HAB Galerie

HAB Galerie is located on Île de Nantes, right at its western tip. It is part of the industrial shed unit – called Hangar à Bananes as bananas and pineapples from Africa were stored here from 1959 to 1070 – and is what modern Nantes is all about: creative spaces celebrating past trade. The gallery itself is a light, airy space, with a well-stocked shop attached.

Breathtaking churches

Nantes is home to some breathtaking churches and cathedrals. Nantes Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes)is one of the city’s most notable historical structures and should be your first stop. Other places to visit include the neo-Gothic Basilique Saint-Nicolas, with its beautiful windows and floors, and the impressive bell tower of the Église Sainte-Croix.

Jardin des plantes de Nantes

The Jardin des plantes de Nantes is such a fun space! Enter for free, amble up and down the pretty pathways, and explore the impressive plant exhibitions and installations. This is definitely one of the most playful, stimulating city parks you’ll come across.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes

The Musée des Beaux-Arts is the city’s most visited museum and one of the best attractions in Nantes. It should definitely be a reason to take a break in this vibrant pocket of France. It was closed for five years due to a heavy renovation schedule, opening again in the spring of 2017. The new space doesn’t disappoint: vast (including 2,000 square metres of exhibition space) and well thought out, this ambitious art space is another (big) reason why Nantes is a city of culture. It’s a reasonable €8 to enter, with an even more reasonable €10 for the year-long Art Museum Pass.

Le Lieu unique

Interesting fact about this building – it used to be a biscuit factory. Today, Le Lieu unique is a contemporary arts and music venue that opened in 2000. There is a really full calendar here, so take a look at their What’s On section in English and you’ll be sure to find something interesting that coincides with your trip.

Château des ducs de Bretagne

Step back into history in this beautiful 13th century château right in the heart of the city. You can enter the courtyard and the ramparts free of charge, so even if you’re travelling on a budget, there is no reason to miss out on the main landmark, a historic castle in Nantes. There is an insightful museum and many events and exhibitions are put on throughout the year.

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17 Best Things to do in Nantes, France

Nantes is a terrific city to visit in western France , as it offers a mix of history, art, culture, and modernity.

Located on the Loire River, it has a rich history that dates back to the Roman Empire, and it was once one of the most important ports in France. Today, the city is a hub of creativity, with a vibrant art scene, numerous museums, and public art installations. Visitors can explore the narrow streets of the medieval quarter, admire its stunning architecture, or stroll along the picturesque riverbanks.

Nantes is also renowned for its world-class vineyards that produce delicious Muscadet white wine and an excellent dining scene. Below is an overview of the best things to do in Nantes for those planning to visit ‘la Cité des Ducs’.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Nantes

17. Basilique Saint Nicolas

The Basilica of Saint-Nicolas is a stunning Catholic church.

Initially constructed in the 12th century, this neo-Gothic building was refurbished in the 15th century. Unfortunately, much of it was destroyed during World War II and only rebuilt in 2002. Today its beautiful architecture is characterized by intricate stained-glass windows and a magnificent cross-bearing pillar at the center of the altar.

Another captivating feature of the Basilica is its impressive organ.

If you plan on visiting this stunning structure, we recommend going on June 21st. It is the day of the marvelous ‘La fête de la musique’ celebration. An event that brings the Basilica to life when several musicians perform, making it one of the rare occasions when visitors can hear the organ played.

16. Le Lieu Unique

France is known for its world-class culture, and if you want to get a fix for it in Nantes, the best place to go to is Le Lieu Unique.

A unique cultural center housed in a former biscuit factory, the venue offers diverse exhibitions, performances, concerts, and events throughout the year.

Set within an Art Nouveau-style building; the theater opened on 30th December 1999 as part of the ‘End of Century’ festival in Nantes. It was founded by the Algerian-born Jean Blaise, who operated as its inaugural artistic director.

Overall, the center focuses on contemporary art, with exhibitions and installations from established and up-and-coming artists from around the world. In addition to its art exhibitions, Le Lieu Unique hosts a range of music and theater performances, film screenings, and literary events. It also offers an outstanding food and drink menu in a cozy, relaxed, ambient setting.

15. Musee Jules Verne

He was born in the city in 1828, and his former home has been turned into a fascinating museum. It showcases a range of exhibits and artifacts that explore his life, works, and legacy.

Visitors can wander through various rooms of the house, which have been restored to their original condition. They are decorated with period furniture, paintings, and other decorative objects to get a sense of how he lived.

The museum also houses a collection of manuscripts, illustrations, and other artifacts related to Verne’s life and works, which provide a unique insight into his creative process and literary achievements.

If a visit here doesn’t make you want to pick up a copy of ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’, nothing will!

14. Slavery Memorial

While it might be confronting to some visitors, there is no escaping the slave trade was responsible for building much of the city’s early wealth under the Ancien Régime.

Nantes was the first French city to transport slaves on a large scale, and in the 18th century, most of France’s slave ships departed from this port.

Since then, the city has struggled to address its dark past. However, in 2012 it attempted to do that when it unveiled a solemn and austere memorial on Quai de la Fosse by the Loire River.

The commemorative monument for the abolition of slavery provides information about the many expeditions launched from Nantes, including the names of the ships involved.

While it’s an understated memorial, we found it a powerful reminder of this crime against humanity and a rallying call to action for a more just and equitable future.

13. Planete Sauvage

If you love animals, then you should make a point of heading to Planète Sauvage.

You’ll have to head to Port-Saint-Père, just outside of Nantes, to do so. But once you are there, you can see hundreds of different species of animals at this popular wildlife park.

Many people do this on a guided safari-style tour in their car. However, some, including us, prefer to venture out on foot and get up close and personal with animals like elephants, giraffes, tigers, lions, and rhinos.

As well as the wildlife, the family-friendly park offers several other attractions, including a marine mammal show, a playground, and a picnic area.

12. Maille-Breze

Named after a French admiral called Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé, this retired T 47-class destroyer was once an operational warship for the French Navy. It now runs as a museum, giving visitors a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the intricate workings of a naval vessel.

Whilst onboard, you can explore different parts of the ship, such as the captain’s quarters, engine room, and weapons systems. Doing so will give you a unique perspective of what life must have been like for the crewman who served on it.

We found the ship’s staff to be well-informed but next time, we will schedule our visit to coincide with one of their reenactments.

11. Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum of Nantes is a fascinating destination for people interested in science, nature, and history. Residing within the city’s Old Mint, it boasts a massive collection of animal, plant, fossil, and mineral sections from around the world.

Overall, it has zones for ethnography, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology, which cover all branches of natural science and display items that date to the 1700s.

Arguably its most impressive specimen is the fin whale skeleton. You will find this 18-metre display suspended from the ceiling of the zoology gallery. However, there is also a planetarium and a 3D cinema that provide immersive and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. At the same time, the Vivarium has several terrariums that showcase snakes and other reptiles.

10. Jardin Ile de Versailles

Another terrific place to spend a relaxing afternoon in Nantes is at the Jardin Ile de Versailles.

A tranquil and picturesque park, it centers around a landscaped island in the Erdre River and is a peaceful place to walk, picnic, and relax.

The park is notable for lush greenery, water features, and eye-catching sculptural installations. The presence of exotic plants and flowers, such as Japanese maples and bamboo groves, further enhances its unique character and charm.

If you don’t fancy walking, visitors can also enjoy a boat tour around a Zen Garden which boasts cherry trees which you will want to take several photos of.

Overall, it is a lovely place to come to appreciate the beauty of nature.

9. Place Royale

Right in the center of Nantes, Place Royale is another historic square you can visit.

Constructed during the reign of King Louis XV in the 18th century, it was initially meant to serve as a grand entrance to the city. However, the square has become a popular meeting place today with several cafes, shops ,and restaurants to explore.

One of our favorite things to do in Nantes is relax here and watch the world go by. We find it is one of the best ways to soak up the city’s ambience.

However, the square’s centerpiece is a stunning fountain featuring a statue of Neptune holding a trident. Visitors can also appreciate that and the beautiful architecture of the surrounding buildings, including The Church of St. Nicholas, which stands in the square.

8. Musee d’Arts de Nantes

The Musée d’Arts de Nantes is a prestigious art museum in the middle of the city.

The museum resides in a beautiful historic building that dates back to the 19th century and features a wide range of collections from the 13th century to the present.

If you visit the museum, you can explore a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, focusing mainly on French art from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Some of the most notable works on display include pieces by renowned artists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, and Pablo Picasso.

In addition to the permanent collection, the Musée d’Arts de Nantes also hosts various temporary exhibitions throughout the year. So, it is a must-visit destination for art lovers.

7. Trentemoult

If you want to take a break from the Nantes’s main tourist attractions, visiting Trentemoult might be just what you need.

This charming village is situated on the banks of the Loire River and is known for its colorful houses and quaint atmosphere.

Home to many hipsters, artists, and more affluent people, you can reach it via the Navibus ferry from Nantes city center.

Once there, you can stroll through narrow streets and alleys lined with brightly painted cottages from the 18th and 19th centuries. Many have a captivating design over three floors, where the lower level is reserved for storage on account of the regular flooding of the Loire River. Over by the quayside, you’ll find trendy vintage shops, restaurants, and crêperies with terraces overlooking the river.

6. Place du Bouffay

If you want to get a feel for everyday life in Nantes, then head to the Place du Bouffay. It is situated in the center of one of the city’s oldest districts and is a terrific spot for people-watching due to it being a popular gathering spot for locals.

The square is known for its stunning medieval architecture and a warren of alleyways and narrow backstreets that flank it. Within them, you will find half-timbered houses that date back to the 1400s and several cafes and trendy boutiques where you can grab lunch or shop.

At night, it is a great place to party as the Place du Bouffay comes alive with many bars and clubs open late into the night. Thus, providing a hub for nightlife in Nantes.

5. Les Machines de L’ile

Les Machines de l’Île is a one-of-a-kind attraction that is not to be missed.

This innovative art project, located on the site of a former shipyard, combines the whimsical elements of steampunk with the beauty of nature to create something extraordinary.

Visitors have the opportunity to ride on a giant mechanical elephant that roams the streets of the city. They can also explore the marvel of engineering that is the Tree of Dreams – a massive metal structure that doubles as a carousel.

Additionally, there is a workshop where visitors can observe the creative process of the designers and engineers as they work on new inventions. Overall, it’s an enchanting experience that inspires us to imagine what new wonders could be created.

4. Cathedrale Saint Pierre

The Nantes Cathedral is a magnificent Gothic cathedral in the heart of Nantes. Also known as the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, it was built over 450 years, which is a testament to the architectural and artistic mastery of the Middle Ages.

The cathedral is a beautiful and inspiring structure that captures the grandeur and elegance of Nantes’ rich cultural heritage. It is notable for its stunning stained-glass windows, intricate carvings, and ornate sculptures, which captivate you from the inside and out.

Visitors can tour its interior and explore various chapels and its impressive nave and transept. The cathedral also houses the tomb of Francois II, the last Duke of Brittany, and his wife, Marguerite de Foix.

3. Passage Pommeraye

Located between Rue de la Fosse and Rue Santeuil, the Passage Pommeraye is a must-visit destination if you love shopping.

Built in 1843, this beautiful arcade boasts three levels of shops. They include boutiques, restaurants, and cafes, offering a range of products from high-end clothing and accessories to deluxe chocolates and souvenirs.

Even if you are not a shopping enthusiast, it is worth coming here alone to see its magnificent architecture. Its design incorporates neo-renaissance sculptures and stonework, iron and glass roofs that let in natural light, and elegant wrought iron lamps and balustrades that all add to its charm.

Such is the incredible level of detail in this retail arcade; you’ll find yourself stopping every couple of steps to photograph or take in something different.

2. Jardin des Plantes

When you want a break from the frenzy of the town center the Jardin des Plantes is a terrific place to visit.

This exceptional park is just ten minutes away from the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and it’s certainly no ordinary park.

The green space has been designated as one of France’s ‘remarkable gardens’ and boasts a variety of plants, trees, and flowers from all over the world.

Visitors can stroll through themed gardens, like a rose garden, medicinal garden, and Japanese garden, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the river Loire.

They can also visit Palm House, a stunning metal and glass structure from the late 19th century, housing plants from tropical America. Those into orchids will want to head to the adjacent greenhouses, which display beautiful species from Africa and Asia.

1. Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne

The Château des Ducs de Bretagne is a must-see attraction in Nantes. This impressive 13th-century castle was once the residence of the Dukes of Brittany and is now a museum that explores the region’s history.

Visitors can wander through the castle’s halls and courtyards, admiring its Gothic architecture and learning about the fascinating history of Brittany.

At the museum, you’ll see exhibits that cover various topics, from the region’s geology and archaeology to its politics and culture. Highlights include the Great Hall, which has been restored to its former glory, and the exhibition on the Atlantic Slave Trade. The latter provided plenty more food for thought on this dark chapter of French history.

Once you have toured the Château, the grassy area next to the moat makes a lovely spot for a picnic.

Where to Stay in Nantes

Nantes has a collection of diverse and lively neighborhoods with plenty of accommodation options that cater to all tastes and budgets. For those looking for a cultural hotspot there is the Bouffay district, where cobbled streets and medieval architecture meet trendy bars and restaurants. With its idyllic promenades, Ile de Nantes offers a serene riverside retreat.

As walking is the best way to explore the main attractions in Nantes, we recommend finding accommodation near the main train station or in the city center.

Located on Rue de Strasbourg, The Okko Hotels Nantes Château is just a 2-minute walk to the Château des Ducs de Bretagne. The modern hotel has an elegant Scandinavian feel, featuring rooms with custom double Coco-Mat beds.

For those on a budget, the Hôtel Amiral provides an excellent option. Situated a 5-minute walk from the Place Royale plaza offers rooms in a unique and modern style with a decor that is rich in character and pays tribute to Nantes’ maritime history.

How to get to There

Nantes is easy to get to by various means of transportation.

If you are flying in, Nantes Atlantique Airport is the closest airport to the city, with regular flights from major European cities .

Alternatively, you can take a train to Nantes, as the city is well-connected by rail to other parts of France. The train station is also in the heart of the city center, making it a convenient arrival point.

For those intending to drive or take a bus, Nantes is located on the A11 and A83 highways. It is about a two-hour drive from Paris.

Approximate travel times:

• Angers – 1 hour by car, 30 minutes by train
• La Rochelle – 2 hours by car, 2 hours by train
• Rennes – 1.5 hours by car, 1 hour by train
• Bordeaux – 3 hours by car, 2 hours by train
• Mont Saint-Michel – 2.5 hours by car, 3 hours by train and bus
• Paris – 3.5 hours by car, 2 hours by train
• Brussels (Belgium) – 6 hours by car, 4 hours by train
• London (England) – 7.5 hours by car and ferry, 5 hours by train

Best Time to Visit Nantes

Located just inland from the Atlantic, Nantes has an oceanic climate with cool, rainy winters and relatively warm summers. Pack a coat whenever you go, as each month has 10 to 17 days with at least some rainfall. November to January is the rainiest period with June to August the driest.

As temperatures reach 22 to 24°C (71 to 75°F), summer is by far the most popular time to visit. This is, however, when there are the most crowds and highest prices. Popular events like Bastille Day and La Nuit de l’Erdre musical festival also take place then.

April and May are pleasant times to visit as are September and October. Besides fewer people, average temperatures hover around a comfortable 15 to 22°C (59 to 71°F). The weather is more unpredictable though so keep an eye out for sudden rain showers.

The low season is from November to March when the cold weather and rain puts most people off. An exception is the five-day La Folle Journee festival held at the beginning of February. This is when thousands pour in for its incredible classical music concerts.

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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

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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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One Day In Nantes Itinerary – Top Things to do in Nantes, France

France has so much to offer. Its culture, history, food and architecture will have a profound impact on any visitor. However, you’d be wrong if you thought that you can experience all of that just in Paris – there are many other wonderful cities to explore, and Nantes should definitely be at the top of your list. This place boasts an exceptional quality of life and combines the best of the modern world with its historical sites which tell a fascinating story. Because of that, one day in Nantes is going to be packed full of activities, no matter what you’re looking for from your vacation. Here’s what to expect!

What’s the best time to visit Nantes, France?

The best time to visit Nantes, when it comes to its weather, at least, is September . The peak tourist season lasts fromJune to August, and this is when you can expect the biggest crowds. Be warned, it can get really hot here during summer – the temperatures have been known to climb to 40 degrees Celsius (over 100 Fahrenheit), although the average high is much lower than that. September sees much fewer tourists but is still fairly warm.

But there are fantastic events to enjoy here, too. The city’s Christmas Market is simply amazing, and Nantes is also known for its La Folle Journee, a festival of classical music that is usually held in early February. Then there’s also Festival des 3 Continents, one of the oldest film festivals in the country, which takes place in November. And this is all just the tip of the iceberg, so make sure you check what’s on when you’re visiting.

A few facts about Nantes

Nantes is a moderately-sized city with approximately 300,000 people in Nantes proper and slightly less than a million people in the metropolitan area. However, it places a strong emphasis on sustainability and ecology, which earned the city the title of the European Green Capital in 2013.

A huge part of the city was built in the second half of the 20th century, and everything was very well thought out, so don’t be surprised by the vast amounts of greenery you see along the roads. Biodiversity is where Nantes truly shines.

The city was founded way back in the Bronze Age and even became the capital of the Namnetes, a Gallic tribe, before becoming a part of the Roman Empire.

Nantes is also the birthplace of the great Jules Verne, and a wonderful museum dedicated to him in the neighborhood in which this exceptional writer lived can be visited, too (more on that in just a moment). Additionally, the city is also considered to be the birthplace of surrealism as a movement.

The vineyards around Nantes are well known for Muscadet, an exceptional white wine that goes splendidly with seafood. You should definitely order a glass when you’re sitting down for lunch, but if you have time, do go ahead and visit the vineyards themselves. It can be quite an experience.

One day in Nantes Itinerary

There is a lot to see during your one day in Nantes, which is why you need a well-planned itinerary – simply, it makes it a lot easier to organize your visit to this wonderful city and see all the most important sights. Of course, there will also be opportunities to sit back and soak everything in as you’ll soon see. Let’s get going!

TIP: Get Nantes City Card Pass to get full access to the best sites and attractions.

Start with a nice breakfast

You don’t have to rush anywhere while you’re here, so start your day with a nice breakfast to prepare for the walks ahead. And, since you’re in France, a nice good croissant is the perfect thing to enjoy. La Petite Boulangerie is just the place for that, but you can also check out L’autre Boulangerie for a great baguette. In any case, there are many places to choose from if you want a delicious French breakfast.

Visit the botanical garden

Once you’re done with your breakfast, you can continue your day in Nantes in a leisurely tone. Jardin des Plantes is the city’s botanical garden, and it’s really worth visiting because you will be strolling through a huge green area with thousands of different types of plants.

Plus, there are many bushes that have been trimmed to form various interesting and entertaining shapes. There’s even a cafe on the premises if you want to sit down and enjoy.

Explore what Musée d’Arts has to offer

Musée d’Arts de Nantes or Nantes Art Museum is right next to the botanical garden and the logical next step in this one-day itinerary. Not only was this place founded by Napoleon himself in 1801, but it was also recently renovated, so you will be able to enjoy a first-class experience.

Almost 1000 pieces of art are kept here, with European paintings being the most prominent. You can enjoy some true masterpieces here, including works by Tintoret and Rubens, among others. In addition, there is a wonderful collection of contemporary art to explore here, too. In short, a must-visit.

Check out the cathedral

Right next to the museum is the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Pau l, a Gothic masterpiece that took more than 450 years to build! Unfortunately, this incredible edifice was seriously damaged in the fire that engulfed it in 2020, so what you see may be limited due to the restoration works that should last at least three years. Nevertheless, it is an architectural masterpiece and the place where the Edict of Nantes, one of the first documents guaranteeing religious freedoms, was signed by Henry IV.

Enter the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany

Facing the cathedral is the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne , one of Nantes’ symbols and something we simply must mention in this itinerary.

Seven imposing towers and a deep moat made this place pretty much impregnable, but as much as the castle is impressive from the outside, it is even more beautiful on the inside with many sculptures. The castle is home to Nantes’ Museum of History , and your one day in the city simply would not be complete without visiting this place.

Enjoy Quartier Bouffay

Quartier Bouffay , or the Bouffay district, is the very heart of Nantes and it encompasses the aforementioned castle and the cathedral, so you won’t have to travel anywhere far to enjoy it. This is the oldest part of the city, and you can enjoy numerous shops, cafes and restaurants as you walk the meandering cobbled streets and admire the beautiful houses around here.

Creperi Au Vieux Quimper serve incredible pancakes, Terazze di Bouffay is perfect for Italian food, and La Cabane is perfect for a nice French dinner should you find yourself here in the evening. But there are many other great choices around, so don’t be afraid to look around a bit on your own.

Visit the Jules Verne Museum

Once you’re done with everything in the Bouffay quarter, you should move on to the next attraction. The Jules Verne Museum is a wonderful place to visit, no matter if you’re a fan of the author or not. Verne actually grew up in this part of town, a fact that gives the museum so much depth.

In this 19th-century building, you will find several rooms, each dedicated to a particular aspect of the writer’s life, as well as numerous manuscripts, descriptions that were far ahead of his time, and objects that the author used on a regular basis. Another must-see during your one day in Nantes.

Prepare to be amazed by some spectacular machines

Machines on the Isle of Nante are one of the city’s most famous attractions, so they need to have a place in this itinerary, too. A huge steel elephant, a terrifying spider and a large mechanical ant are just some of the incredible things you can see here.

This place will delight both adults and children, and a few years ago, it was recognized as one of the most original amusement parks in the world. A fitting title for one of the most famous places in the birthplace of surrealism.

See what you can enjoy at night

Nantes is a great place if you want to enjoy a drink in the evening with your friends (or alone, that has its charm, too), and there are a few very interesting destinations you can visit for that. For example, you can climb the Tour Bretagne , a 32-floor office building with a bar on top from which you can enjoy an incredible view of the whole city. Le Graslin de Folie will introduce you to the best local beers, and Le Zygo is popular among students for its great music. Enjoy!

Where to stay in Nantes?

Okko Hotels Nantes Chateau

15 bis rue de Strasbourg, Centre Ville, 44000 Nantes

If you want to enjoy a modern, elegant and classy hotel in Nantes’ city center, Okko Hotels Nantes Chateau is a perfect choice. Not only will you be located right in the city’s heart, but you will also enjoy quite a luxurious interior and splendid rooms. The latter are also very quiet despite the busy location of the building, so you’ll always get a good night’s sleep here. The food is nothing short of amazing, plus you will be able to enjoy the club lounge area and pets are allowed. What more could you want?

BOOK A ROOM HERE

Maisons du Monde Hotel & Suites

2 Bis Rue Santeuil, Centre Ville, 44000 Nantes

Maisons du Monde Hotel & Suites is another centrally located establishment that’s bound to offer an amazing stay. The rooms are quite beautiful and elegant, and they really make a person feel good while staying in them. It should also be mentioned that the hotel can be easily reached with public transport and that you will be quite close here to some of Nantes’ main attractions. Free international newspapers are also a nice touch, and pets are allowed, too. High class on so many levels.

Escale Oceania Nantes

Aéroport Nantes Atlantique, 44340 Bouguenais

Should you be on the lookout for a hotel that is near to (or in) Nantes’ airport, Escale Oceania Nantes is a place you simply must consider. Apart from having a beautiful modern interior, the place also boasts an outdoor pool and even a tennis court! Then there’s also a rooftop terrace, more than enough private parking and loads of great food for breakfast. Last but not least, the hotel is very quiet, so you can be sure no plane will disturb your sleep.

Hotel Saint Yves

154 Rue Du General Buat, 44000 Nantes

For an affordable but comfortable stay, check out Hotel Saint Yves . This adorable little place is fairly close to the city center and some of the most important sights in the city, plus it also offers comfortable rooms, delicious breakfast and even a quaint little garden where you can stop and have some time to yourself. You can see that a lot of care goes into this hotel, so if you’re looking for an affordable place, book a room here. This hotel really has a soul.

Day trips from Nantes

If you’re staying more than just one day in Nantes, you should know that the city’s geographical position offers plenty of incredible destinations for day trips. Oh yes, you can really explore France nicely from here, and the following few places are always a great destination for such a journey if you’re planning to travel away from Nantes for a day.

If there’s even the slightest chance to make the trip, visiting Paris while in France is pretty much obligatory. But don’t take a car for this day trip – it takes too long. Instead, sit on the TGV train and you’ll be there in less than two and a half hours, ready to spend one day in Paris , a city that really needs no introduction.

If you want to explore and enjoy France, a day trip from Nantes to Angers is just the thing. This is a university town that has a lot of historical sights you can explore and a very impressive Chateau, so there’s plenty to enjoy. But since this is a university town, you can also just chill and enjoy the easy-going vibe in one of the local cafes.

Trentemoult

A day trip to Trentemoult will be like entering a completely different world. This exceptionally charming fishing village with its colorful houses and a fairly large artistic community will enchant you as soon as you step foot in it. Sit on a terrace by the river and just enjoy the fact that you’re here and soak everything in. You’ll come back home completely reinvigorated.

An exceptionally picturesque town less than an hour and a half from Nantes, Vannes boasts a lot of history and art, but its most amazing feature are the houses that date back to the 15th century and look absolutely amazing seeing how their fronts have a lot of wood encompassed in them. A wonderful place to visit, full of charm. You’ll love walking its street!

Extra tips for visiting Nantes

• While you’re walking the city streets, look for a green line on the pavement. This will take you to the most important sights in Nantes. You really can’t get lost around here.
• If you’re looking to make a day trip from Nantes, always check the schedule of TGV trains. These high-speed trains will help you reach your destination faster and allow you to choose between more places. Faster and easier than driving.
• The weather can change quickly around here. If you’re planning a whole day of sightseeing, make sure you’re well prepared for that (bringing an umbrella along is always a good idea).
• Pass Nantes is a visitor card that can save you quite a lot of money while you’re here. You can find it in the local tourist centers, so maybe pick one up, especially if you’re planning to visit museums, restaurants, etc. Perfect for one day in Nantes.

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip.

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully. Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times. Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

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36 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Nantes, France

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Nantes is the capital of the Pays de la Loire region, in Western France. As a major port city, Nantes has been historically important for maritime trade.

Nantes has become a popular tourist getaway destination due to its attractive historical old town with picturesque half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries.Nantes is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the West’ due to its many waterways and the Canal Saint-Félix.

Nantes enjoys a vibrant cultural scene for example the popular Nantes Jazz Festival, ‘Les Rendez-Vous de l’Erdre’ which is held in August.

There are many things to do in Nantes for example exploring the impressive Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the awe-inspiring Cathédrale Saint-Pierre and the many city museums!

Food lovers will enjoy tasting some of the regional specialities such as crêpes, galettes, fresh seafood and the local Muscadet wines.

1 – Explore the medieval castle, Château des Ducs de Bretagne

The original fortress was built in the 13th century on top of the old Gallo-Roman city walls. During the 15th century Renaissance period this former fortress was partially demolished and remodeled to create a more luxurious residence to showcase the grandeur of the Dukes that still stands today.

Admire the ‘Gold Horn Tower’ and the flamboyant galleries added to the  Château des Ducs de Bretagne under the orders of Anne of Brittany during the 15th century. During the early 17th century the castle was used as a prison for Huguenots and rebellion leaders such as the Cardinal de Retz.

Visitors will enjoy walking around the castle moat and admiring the impressive ramparts and turrets.

After exploring the castle visitors should also visit the Musée d’histoire de Nantes, one of the top things to do in Nantes for those wanting to understand more about the historical evolution of the city.

The Museum uses fun multimedia exhibits and 1,150 objects to bring the story of the city of Nantes to life. Learn more about the the famous ‘Edict of Nantes’ signed in 1598 that granted tolerance to Protestantism.

Discover more about how the slave trade shaped the city and how Nantes was impacted by the World Wars. Understand more about the industrialization of Nantes and crucial industries such as ship building.

2 – Browse the boutique shops in the Passage Pommeraye

The Passage Pommeraye is a small three level belle époque shopping arcade that was completed in 1843! Visitors can marvel at the elaborate columns, decorative statues and ornate staircase. The charming Passage Pommeraye is a frequent stop off point in many of the walking tours in Nantes.

Since the shopping arcade is covered the Passage Pommeraye is always a good location to spend an hour or so during a rainy day to take shelter and indulge in some retail therapy!

• walking tours in Nantes

3 – Look around the Gothic style Cathédrale Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul de Nantes

The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul de Nantes was built over a period of 457 years, from 1434 up until 1891!

Unfortunately in 1944 a bomb hit and damaged the Cathedral sacristy during the allied bombing of Nantes. The Cathedral has also suffered due to a number of fires for example in 1972 and 2020.

Highlights of the Cathedral include the tomb of the Duke of Brittany François II and his wife Marguerite de Foix completed in 1507. The tomb is intricately carved out of Carrara marble and it is considered a masterpiece of the French Renaissance.

Admire the delicate angels holding up the pillow and the loyal dog at the Dukes feet bearing the family coat of arms. The tomb is flanked by sculptures of four women representing the cardinal virtues (strength, prudence, justice and temperance).

4 – Pedal around Nantes on a bike tour

Explore the sites of Nantes on a speedy electric bike! Ride through the historic medieval city center of Nantes and stop off to learn more about important monuments.

Some of the bike tours such as ‘Bike’N tour Nantes’ include riding around the Île Feydeau with lots of elegant 18th century architectural buildings. Many of these buildings were owned by ship merchants or maritime traders.

Although it is known as an ‘island,’ the area of Feydeau is now on the mainland because during the 1930s one of the tributaries to the Loire was filled in.

• bike tours in Nantes

5 – Spend time in the zen garden at the Île de Versailles

The Île de Versailles is an artificial island that was formerly used as a work site by naval leather makers and carpenters.

In 1983 the island was transformed into a Japanese style garden and nowadays the Jardin Ile de Versailles has three Japanese style buildings

Walk over stepping stones in the zen garden, admire the serenity of the cherry blossoms and bonsai trees, look out over the koi pond and take some photographs on the wooden bridge! There is even a tea house where visitors can experience traditional Japanese tea ceremonies

The island can be reached by hiring an electric-powered Ruban Vert boat or a canoe.

6 – Relax during a candlelight concert

Sit back after a long day sightseeing to listen to music surrounded by romantic candles. Concert themes include Coldplay, 80s Rock, Queen and Ludovico Einaudi. A backdrop of illuminated flickering lights creates the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable evening.

Concerts are frequently held in the ‘Théâtre 100 Noms’ on the Quai des Antilles, right on the banks of the Loire and opposite the Jules Verne Museum.

• candlelight concerts in Nantes

7 – See the sights of the city on a segway tour

Ensure you see the main monuments of Nantes in a dynamic and fun segway tour. Cover more ground than you would during a traditional walking tour! Segway tours vary from 1 to 2 hours and the ride is accompanied by a guide who offers a historical and cultural commentary of the sites visited.

• segway tours in Nantes

8 – Ride a mechanical elephant at the Les Machines de L’ile

Discover incredible animal machines inspired by the fantastical stories of Jules Verne at Les Machines de L’ile located on the banks of the river Loire.

Marvel at the impressive engineering and craftsmanship that has gone into creating these complex and creative mechanical entities such as ‘the Butterfly Swarm’ and ‘the Heron tree.’

At Les Machines de L’ile there is giant elephant that can seat 50 passengers! Watch from close up how the machines of the elephants legs and trunk mimic natural motions and ride around the site that was once used for shipbuilding.

In order to manufacture the elephant the engineers used a colossal 48.4 metric tons of steel and wood along with 62 cylinders! There is also the Carrousel des Mondes Marins which is an elaborate merry-go-round featuring different sea creatures!

• city tours in Nantes

9 – Watch the water reflections in Le Miroir d’Eau

Admire the reflection of the Château des Ducs de Bretagne in the 2cm thin layer of water that stretches out next to the street of the ‘Cours John Kennedy’. Sometimes jets in the water mirror create a mist like steam or spray up. In the evening the changing color lights create a pleasant atmosphere.

10 – Check out the cultural program at Le Lieu Unique

Along the Canal Saint-Felix, visitors can stumble across  Le Lieu Unique located inside the old biscuit factory of the Lefèvre-Utile family.

The factory has an attractive art nouveau style tower. Originally there were two towers but unfortunately one of them was destroyed during the Second World War.

Nowadays Le Lieu Unique is open as a contemporary arts and music venue. Since 2000 Le Lieu Unique has been used as a space to showcase creativity in visual arts, dance, music, theatre, circus and literature.

Enjoy a coffee in the trendy bar or restaurant on site. There is also a hammam spa available on the basis of appointments.

11 – Take an evening stroll around the Place Royale square

The Place Royale is a large square in the centre of Nantes. In the center stands a giant granite fountain from 1865. In the middle of the fountain there is a marble statue of a woman with a trident representing the city of Nantes. The other statues represent the Loire river and the tributaries.

Sit out on the terrace of a café in the square to watch people go by and soak up the elegant atmosphere.

Very nearby you can find Place Graslin with the famous theatre with 8 corinthian style columns. The Place Graslin was one of the first avenues in Nantes to receive gas street lamps in 1852. After a show at the theatre many actors and actresses head to the famous art nouveau brasserie ‘La cigale’ for a digestif.

12 –  Hop on a boat tour along the Erdre River

The Erdre river is one of the main tributaries of the Loire. During a boat cruise visitors can gaze at the large mansions along the banks of the river. The boat trip passes past the Island of Versailles mentioned earlier in the article.

Admire the iconic bridge of Général de la Motte Rouge built in 1885 with the brightly colored green painted railings.

Watch other boats cruise along by and enjoy the scenic beauty of life on the river.

• boat cruises in Nantes

13 – Admire the bell tower of the Eglise Sainte Croix

Located in the historical Bouffay District, the Eglise Sainte Croix was the church where the author Jules Verne was baptized. it has an impressive bell tower with sculptures of little angels playing golden trumpets. Inside the church admire the pretty stained glass windows and the organ.

The exact origins of the church are unknown however it is believed that originally the Benedictine monks of the Marmoutier-lès-Tours worshipped in the first church here. During the 17th century the church was rebuilt and over the years since then the church has undergone various developments resulting in an interesting mix of architectural styles.

After taking a look at the church, make sure to stop off at the Place du Bouffay nearby. The Place du Bouffay was the main city square during the Medieval period. It was here that public executions took place.

14 – Test your team work skills and brain power with an outdoor escape room mission

Take part in an exciting outdoor escape challenge using your smart phone. Help send Jules Verne back to the 19th century by solving puzzles and following clues throughout different landmarks in the city.

Fans of the TV series Vikings will love another outdoor escape game which involves helping Ragnar Lodbrok find Odin’s lost relic!

Other outdoor escape games include saving Nantes from an ultra virus created by a criminal organization. There are also escape games for kids involving Peter Pan and other cartoon characters.

• escape rooms in Nantes

15 – Get the adrenaline pumping with some karting

Embrace your competitive side and race against friends and family at ‘City Kart’ or ‘Karting de Nantes.’Improve your co-ordination, spacial awareness and your reflexes as you swerve round some of the tight track corners.

City Kart   has circuits both indoors out outdoors. You can also play on Formula 1 simulators to live the real racing car sensations!

Karting de Nantes has both electric and VR karting! They also have baby karting facilities for younger members of the family. They have a different branch in the North East of Nantes dedicated to Laser karting. Guests can play a couple of sessions of lasertag in the battle zone area followed by karting.

16 – Escape the bustle of the city at the tranquil Jardin des Plantes, Botanical Garden

The Jardin des Plantes is one of the oldest botanical gardens in France. It was established in 1807 and since then has been cherished by tourists and locals looking to discover more about botany or spend a few relaxing hours surrounded by nature.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll whilst looking at the beautiful magnolia, orchids and camelias. The well maintained park is packed with hidden features, manicured lawns and winding paths.

Come across elegant fountains, ponds, an artificial mountain as well as a rock garden and a rose garden. Take a look at the exotic plants inside the greenhouses and palm house.

17 –  Decipher riddles and uncover secrets about Nantes during a scavenger game

Downloading a self-guided scavenge experience is one of the top things to do in Nantes if you are looking for a challenge at your own pace. Unlock secret legends and facts about the city as you walk through the city streets.

There is even a version designed for Bacherolette parties! This version focuses more on challenges related to weddings or mini-games for the bride-to-be. This interactive scavenger hunt will definitely guarantee some laughs and unforgettable moments!

• scavenger games in Nantes

18 – Reflect on the atrocities of the slave trade at the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery

The  Mémorial de l’Abolition de l’Esclavage is the only memorial dedicated to slavery on mainland France. It was designed by artists Julian Bonder and Krzysztof Wodiczko and inaugurated in 2012.

Situated on a boardwalk right on the banks of the Loire, the memorial consists of 2,000 glass inserts printed with the names of the slave-ships and the dates on which slaves left the port of Nantes. Other inserts are printed with the names of slave-trading posts or ports where the slaves were sold in Africa, the Americas and the Indian Ocean.

Take a moment to contemplate the dark role that the city of Nantes played in contributing to the slave trade during the 18th century. Nantes used to be a major hub for the construction of slave ships which contributed to its economic prosperity in the past.

19 – Speed across the water in a thrilling jet ski ride

The Espace Quilly Leisure Center near Nantes provides a secure and tranquil stretch of water for zooming around in a jet ski.

You can ride the jet ski solo or with two passengers under the supervision and guidance of a qualified instructor. No previous experience is required so an excellent opportunity for beginners. Learn how to complete graceful turns in the water and pick up some speed.

There is a panoramic terrace where you can sit and relax after wizzing around in the water.

• jet ski tours in Nantes

20 – Put your brain skills to the test at the Quiz Room Nantes

Try an immersive quiz game on a staged TV set at the  Quiz Room Nantes .

Elect which topic themes you want to tackle before starting the quiz. Answer a wide variety of questions on society, daily life, cinema, sports or academia! Music buffs can request a purely musical quiz game to show off their knowledge!

There is also a Quiz Room Kids so children can also step up and put on their thinking hats.

21 – Hit the bowling alley for some lucky strikes

Bowling is a great option for some evening entertainment after a day of sightseeing and an excellent indoor activity during wet weather!

The bowling centre €URO BOWL is large complex containing 30 bowling alleys! EURO BOWL is open seven days a week. After a bowling match, wind down on the arcade games onsite or enjoy a game of billiards.

The Bowling Center Nantes is another option with 32 alleys and huge screens with light shows! There is also a Sports Bar and Black Angus meat restaurant to get a bite to eat after the game.

22 – Drive around in style in the comfort of a 2CV Citroën tour

Feel like you are stepping back in time as you cruise around Nantes in the comfort of an old-fashioned and stylish 2CV Citroën. There is a tour around the centre which includes a stop off at the Jules Verne Museum and the Village de Trentemoult.

Alternatively there is a tour in the 2CV Citroën to discover the nearby vineyards of Nantes. Taste some fabulous Muscadet wines at the gorgeous Château du Coing de Saint Fiacre. Stretch your legs at the Chateau-Thebaud and have a go at a typically French game of pétanque.

• 2CV Citroën tours in Nantes

23 – Look up at the soaring nave of the Basilique Saint Nicolas

The Basilique Saint Nicolas is a Neo-gothic style church built between 1844 and 1869. The church was actually built upon the former site of a 13th chapel. Unfortunately the church was badly damaged by bombing in 1943 but since then it has undergone a restoration.

Visitors will enjoy watching the light enter through the stained glass windows and illuminate the interior.

24 – Try out some adventurous water sports at the Espace Quilly

The Espace Quilly is a large estate in between Nantes and La Baule that offers different fun leisure activities such as quad tours, rafting, flyboarding and wakeboarding!

Adventure seekers will love the quad tours on the super fast Can-am Outlander Max 450cc bike! The quad hikes include a varied terrain of different wet and dry areas and there are lots of fun climbs, descents and bridges to cross over.

Try rafting along in an inflatable tube being towed by a water ski boat! Feel the thrill of gliding across the water and getting sprinkled with refreshing water!

Experience the ultimate sensation of liberation in a  flyboarding session. Participants are propelled into the air thanks to a water jetpack and turbine. Hover above the water’s surface in a gravity-defying experience due to the thrust from the water!

Alternatively you can improve your balancing skills and strength in a wakeboarding session, riding over the waters surface attached to a motorboat. After trying out some of these exhilarating water sports, visitors can cool down in the  water park . The water park offers giant slides, inflatable structures and trampolines to play around on. There are also some monkey bridges and obstacles for those looking to test their agility!

• Espace Quilly day trips from Nantes

25 – Make sure to visit some of the best museums in Nantes

Visitors who are keen to learn more about the regional wildlife and mineralogy will enjoy a visit to the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle. The  Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle is housed in an attractive building with a classical style façade designed by architect Gustave Bourgerel.

It has been open to the public since 1875 and even has a reptile house with some exotic and regional snakes. There are lots of fossils and an extensive bird collection. It is important to note that the Museum closes on Tuesdays.

Literature fans can visit the  Musée Jules Verne  to learn more about the acclaimed author of famous works such as ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ and ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.’ Jules Verne was born in Nantes in 1828 and this small museum pays homage to his literary career.

Learn more details about the biography of Verne and how the women in his life inspired his works. Visitors can also see some of the replicas of his futuristic inventions.

One of the largest Museums in Nantes is the Musée d’Arts de Nantes . Visitors can happily spend hours admiring the extensive range of 13,000 artworks in the collection! The collection of the Musée d’Arts de Nantes spans from ancient 13th century art up until contemporary.

Highlights include masterpieces by Gustave Courbet, Rodin and Monet. Visitors also come to admire earlier works such as ‘The Dream of St Joseph’ by Georges de La Tour and ‘Diana the Huntress’ by Orazio Gentileschi.

Head South to the town of Rezé, just a 10 minute car journey away from the centre of Nantes. Here in Rezé at Le Chronographe Museum, visitors can explore some ancient archeological ruins of the Gallo-Roman city of Ratiatum. At Le Chronographe visitors can discover more about daily Roman life with the interactive multimedia exhibit and look at the objects that have been dug up on the site.

Alternatively plan a visit to  Le Maillé-Brézé , the French navy ship transformed into a museum! Le Maillé-Brézé is a type of navel vessel known as a destroyer escort (one of a group of 18) that was built in the 1950s.

26 – Play a round of golf with friends

The Golf Club de Nantes is situated in Vigneux-de-Bretagne, just a short drive from the city center of Nantes. The Golf Club de Nantes is one of the oldest golf clubs in the region and provides an idyllic setting surrounded by green countryside, rolling hills and picturesque water features.

Another option is the  Golf Bluegreen Nantes-Erdre which also has an excellent 18 hole golf course. Guests at the Golf Bluegreen Nantes-Erdre can also make use of the covered practice ground and 2 putting greens.

Just 20 minutes drive away from Nantes, golf lover can find the  UGOLF Nantes Carquefou . The golf course is situated in the heart of the park of the Château de l’Epinay. Guests at the UGOLF Nantes Carquefou can enjoy a game of golf surrounded by centenary trees and lush greenery!

27 – Visit the Château de Goulaine, with a history dating back over a thousand years!

The Château de Goulaine is a castle situated in the town of Haute-Goulaine, approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Nantes. The castle has been in the same family since the 12th century!

The Goulaine family has been producing delicious wines at the estate for many generations in particular Muscadet and Sauvignon blanc. In the past the Goulaine family also provided financial support to the iconic Nantais biscuit brand Lefèvre-Utile.

Inside the Château de Goulaine visitors can marvel at the impressive medieval and Renaissance tapestries, rooms heavily decorated with exquisite paintings and the cabinet of curiosities.

28 – Relax in some of of the best parks & gardens in Nantes

Walk around and admire the scented rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias at the Parc de Procé. There are huge atlas cedar trees and sequoias which offer some nice shade during the summer months.

From the Parc de la Beaujoire visitors can admire views of the river Erdre. Spend an afternoon strolling through the gorgeous rose and iris gardens. Visitors will be amazed at the many different species of magnolia flowers.

The Parc du Grand Blottereau is another beautiful garden with many unique features such as a Japanese-style pagoda and tropical greenhouses. There is also a mediterranean rock garden, a small rice plantation and banana trees! Many locals also visit the park to use the sports facilities such as football grounds, tennis and basketball courts or the pétanque field.

The Jardin Extraordinaire is located in a disused quarry, a short walk away from the Planetarium. Visitors can take photographs of the 35 meter waterfall and walk along the garden trail which has seven different viewpoints overlooking the park and the Loire river.

29 – Ramble along the Cours Cambronne

The Cours Cambronne is an attractive square with a statue of the War hero General Cambronne. General Cambronne was leading strategist during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.

The square is surrounded by Neo-classical style buildings such as the Hôtel Scheult and the Hôtel des Cariatides.

30 – Assist a wine tasting class on a wine tour

The Château du Bois-Huaut offer a wine tasting of 8 different wines plus a visit to the cellar to understand more about the wine making processes!

The family run Château du Bois-Huaut has been producing quality wine since 1897 and on their estate they grow 14 different grape varieties! Take a wander through the vineyards accompanied by a professional wine maker.

• wine tours in Nantes

31 – Visit the charming fishing Village de Trentemoult

Visitors will enjoy taking a look at the colorful houses with red-tiled roofs, decorative murals and beautiful plant pots. Along the river front and in some of the narrow alleyways it is possible to come across small characterful cafés and restaurants. It was in Trentemoult that ‘The White Queen’ was filmed with Catherine Deneuve.

32 – Gaze up at the constellations at the Planetarium De Nantes

The Planetarium De Nantes has different screening in state-of-the-art 8 meter digital dome theater that visitors can choose from such as ‘Pink Floyd, 50 years of The Dark Side of the Moon’ or ‘Night Sky’ as well as specific viewings designed for kids.

At the Planetarium De Nantes adults and kids can discover new facts about our solar system, black holes and the life cycle of stars! The planetarium also organizes special events to mark current astronomical occurrences such as eclipses or meteor showers.

The planetarium has been open to the public since 1981 and is open daily. On weekends the planetarium only opens in the afternoon.

33 – Travel back in time through a virtual reality experience

Undergo a technological experience like no other at the virtual reality room in the centre of Nantes! The experience ‘Time Travel 1’ involves traveling from prehistory into the future in order to solve riddles to complete the mission.

There are also super advanced virtual reality games on offer such ‘Are we dead?’ This expert level game involves playing as a group of zombies fighting against humans. The game received several awards at the 360 Film Festival in 2019.

• VR experience in Nantes

34 – Check out what is on at the top event venues

Music fans may want to check the program of the  Zenith Nantes Metropole , a performing arts theater in the western suburbs of Nantes. The Zenith Nantes Metropole hosts big-name music concerts and sporting events throughout the year.

For comedy shows and stand up take a look at whats on at the  Compagnie du Café Théatre Nantes . The Compagnie du Café Théatre situated right in the heart of the city centre has two stages and it is often possible to see musicals, monologues and family friendly shows.

Another theatre that specializes in comedy is  Le Théâtre De Jeanne . Le Théâtre De Jeanne offers various entertainment for both adults and kids with a program that changes approximately every three weeks.

Treat yourself to a night at the opera at the magnificent Théâtre Graslin. The Angers Nantes Ópera offers world class opera, ballet and orchestral concerts. The Angers Nantes Ópera offers very good discounts for those under 30 years in order to promote the arts amongst young people.

35 – Treat your taste buds to some sensational fine dining

Stop off to try the lunch menu at  Les Cadets . The decor has a refined and elegant feel inspired by the 1950s. At Les Cadets the chefs focus on seasonal ingredients and the local terroir.

Located on the Place de la Monnaie the restaurant  Roza offers excellent locally sourced cuisine, presented with style and creativity. Roza has a chic bistro ambiance with outdoor seating also available on the terrace. They were winner of the Prix du Public The Fork Awards in 2019.

Enthusiasts of interesting interior design will enjoy LuluRouget with unique classy lighting and wall hangings. The acclaimed Chef at LuluRouget, Ludovic Pouzelgues produces some daring and sharp gastronomical delights!

The  L’Atlantide 1874 – Maison Guého is located very near the Jules Verne Museum and overlooks the Loire. The restaurant building dates from 1874 hence the name! At L’Atlantide 1874-Maison Guého the chef specializes in exquisite fish based dishes accompanied by the finest wines from the Loire

Le Manoir de la Régate can be found on the banks of the Erdre river. This restaurant that serves contemporary cuisine is family run with an emphasis on environmentally friendly practices. Le Manoir de la Régate has 3 prettily decorated restaurant rooms and an outdoor terrace.

Or why not try the gastronomic finesse of  L’Épicurien – Abbaye de Villeneuve . The experienced chef Aymeric Depogny produces minimalist yet complex dishes where every ingredient plays a role in contributing to the overall balance of flavor. The L’Épicurien- Abbaye de Villeneuve is definitely a good choice for those seeking out some top notch gourmet french cuisine.

36 – Experience what the Nantes nightlife has to offer

Le Masque is an authentic and unpretentious bar located right on the banks of the Erdre river, popular among locals. It is known for classical French style music such as Ferré, Greco and Brassens.

Some of the best bars and clubs include La Trinquette, a classy bistro bar with an outdoor terrace area. At La Trinquette guests can enjoy a good selection of natural, organic and biodynamic wines. Beer lovers will also appreciate the fine range of craft and draught beers. Relax for a apéro with a plate of cheese and charcuterie!

Cocktails fans should make their way to Le Labo, a retro cocktail bar that specializes in rare aged and infused rums! The menu of handcrafted cocktails is extensive and the bar has a fun relaxed vibe.

For those looking for some quality live music or jam sessions head to the Zygobar on the rue des Olivettes. At the Zygobar it is possible to come across a mix of genres such as blues, reggae, folk and rock.

How to get to Nantes?

The airport of Nantes (Nantes Atlantique Airport) is a 20 minute drive away from the centre of Nantes. There is an airport bus shuttle that runs every half hour.

If you are looking to save time and hassle there is also the option of private  airport transfers . Check out the Tourscanner site for more details on different airport transfer offers and prices.

Where to stay in Nantes?

L’Abbaye De Villeneuve , (10.5 kilometers away from the centre of Nantes) is situated in the town of Sorinières. Although a little further out from the city centre (20 minutes by car), this hotel is unique in the sense that it located in old cistercian abbey. The restaurant serves traditional French cuisine in the 13th century dining room! The rooms are sumptuous and there are lush gardens and a swimming pool.

The boutique SOZO Hotel is one of the best hotels in Nantes due to its location in a 19th-century chapel with stained-glass window. Visitors will fall in love with the vaulted ceilings and scenic views of the Jardin des Plantes.

For those looking for a hotel with more modern architecture, make sure to check out the 4 star ‘ Okko Hotels Nantes Château ‘ in the centre of Nantes. The hotel has a large communal lounge with a business computer zone. Guests can also enjoy the free wellness area with gym machines and a sauna.

• best hotels in Nantes

Visiting Nantes on a budget?

Learn more about the heritage and history of Nantes from a knowledgable local during a  free walking tours in Nantes . Get a great overview of the city and have the opportunity to ask questions. The free walking tours in Nantes are run on a donation basis.

Another good option to save money on museum entrances and guided tours is by purchasing one of the  city passes .

The city passes give tourists free access to museums, public transport, cruises and guided tours. Gain access to a whopping 40 attractions and benefit from further discounts when shopping in gift shops around Nantes. Unlimited use of public transport means that it’s easy to hop around the city and explore some areas that are slightly further afield from the city centre.

Where to go next?

Nantes is a great starting point to explore the Loire Valley and its spectacular castles such as the Renaissance Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord! The Loire Valley is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the beautiful vineyards, 22 castles and historic towns.

In the Loire valley it is even possible to visit the castle du Clos Lucé where the legendary Leonardo de Vinci spent the final years of his life!

There are also many great places to visit in France : for example things to do in Paris . From Nantes it takes 2 hours and 20 minutes to arrive in Paris by train. Things to do in the capital Paris include visiting world class museums such as the Musée d’Orsay to see Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ in the flesh or spend a day looking around the sumptuous Palace of Versailles. Cruise along the Seine river or go on a walking tour of the bohemian district Montmartre.

From Nantes visitors can head south to visit the coastal city of La Rochelle. Admire the iconic medieval towers and the colorful buildings in the Old Port. There are many  things to do in La Rochelle for example breathing in the fresh sea breeze along the seafront promenade or discovering more about marine life in the celebrated Aquarium which is one of the largest aquariums in Europe.

Gourmet lovers and aspiring wine connoisseurs will love extending a trip to Nantes to visit the city of Bordeaux. Taste some fantastic wine at the Cité du Vin wine museum with some great panoramic views over the city. Other  things to do in Bordeaux include strolling along the Garonne river and stopping to admire the Miroir d’eau (water mirror) outside the elegant Place de la Bourse building. One of the top things to do in Bordeaux for desert lovers is trying the typical cannelé which has a crisp caramelized crust and a moist centre.

Final thoughts

We hope that this article has demonstrated that there are lots of things to do in Nantes whether you are looking for art, nature or gourmet flavors!

Marvel at the unique mechanical artworks and spark your imagination at the magical ‘Les Machines de L’île.’ Alternatively spend time in some of the relaxing city parks and gardens such as the Japanese inspired gardens of the Île de Versailles.

Nantes has a rich artistic scene and visitors will enjoy discovering the fantastic collections at the Musée d’Arts de Nantes or contemporary works at the Lieu Unique.

Nantes is a perfect destination to visit all year round yet it is particularly attractive during the spring months when the flowers are in bloom and it is possible to sit out on the terraces to soak up the warm sun with a glass of crisp Muscadet!

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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