Looking for a destination for your next vacation? Why not go to Nantes?
Today, this city with its port past is renowned for its cultural dynamism and its fantastic animal machines. But Nantes has so much more to offer: an exceptional heritage, fascinating museums, extraordinary gardens, a surprising program of events, walks on the water and in the surrounding countryside.
In this article, discover 10 good reasons to discover Nantes!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Nantes worth a visit?
Nantes is definitely worth a visit for several reasons. The astonishing Machines de l'Ile were our first attraction. Perched on the back of the huge mechanical elephant, we admired the Loire. A few steps away, we fell under the spell of the superb Château de Nantes. A journey into the city's medieval past!
During our visit, we felt the strength of the city's cultural and artistic life. Its museums, open-air works of art and curiosities had us on the edge of our seats! Nantes' gastronomy is also a good reason to visit. We enjoyed wandering around the markets and discovering good restaurants. Finally, our footsteps led us through some extraordinary gardens, making our exploration of the city a nature getaway too!
WHERE TO STAY IN Nantes
Downtown
Would you like to sleep in the heart of Nantes and enjoy its invigorating vitality? We liked it:
- Blu Radisson Hotel - see our article - see photos prices and availability
- L'Oceania - hotel de France - see our article - see photos prices and availability
Near the station
A train to catch at dawn, there's a truly magical address just 2 steps from Nantes train station:
- Le Sozo Hotel - see our article - see photos, prices and availability
On the banks of the Erdre
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Nantes? 2 addresses on the banks of the Erdre river:
- La Rivière House - see photos, prices and availability
- Le Best Western Plus Hôtel de la Régate - view photos, prices and availability
Reason 1 - For the Machines de l'Ile
You'll be amazed by the wonders of the Ile de Nantes. Between 2 arms of the Loire, these former shipyards are home to some very unusual animals. From the fantastic world of Jules Verne, the city's famous writer, the Machines de l'Ile will impress you with their size and strangeness!
Made of iron and wood, the gigantic elephant is now the symbol of the city. You'll feel very small next to him. It's as tall as a 4-storey building! Join the 52 visitors it carries several times a day. If you're interested in this giant backpacking tour, buy your tickets when you arrive on site. The walk is a great success.
Enter Jules Verne's bestiary in the Galerie des Machines. You'll come across some funny birds and discover the secret of the ingenious mechanisms that drive them. The Carrousel des Mondes Marins will plunge you 20,000 leagues under the sea if you decide to take a ride. For an even more immersive experience, why not try an escape game taking on the extraordinary challenge of Jules Verne?
Reason 2 - For its Château des Ducs de Bretagne
Nantes is also famous for its castle. The Château des Ducs de Bretagne will impress you with its stature and history. Built in the 13th century, it was made famous by Anne de Bretagne, the duchess who successively married kings Henry VIII and Louis XII, thus ensuring Brittany's attachment to France.
Join us in admiring the defensive structures and walking the walkway. Surrounded by the moat and the keep, you'll plunge right into the Middle Ages! Then enter the courtyard and admire the magnificent royal dwelling. A blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles, its facades are beautifully decorated. We particularly appreciated the finesse of the tower and window carvings.
The interiors are not open to the public, but you can continue your visit by discovering the Grand Government and its neoclassical style. Other buildings on the estate include the conciergerie, the petit gouvernement and the harness building.
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Reason 3 - For its historical and artistic heritage
Discovering Nantes also means discovering its superb historical heritage. Along the streets and avenues, you'll come across some remarkable monuments. Open your eyes! Scattered throughout the city, majestic churches reach for the sky. Nantes' Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul is well worth a visit! You'll also be charmed by the splendor of the Théâtre Graslin and the curves of the Place Royale.
Don't be surprised. The city also boasts a rich artistic heritage. In Nantes, many works of art are in the open air. There are over 100 of them! Take a look at the large rings by contemporary artist Daniel Buren that line the Quai des Antilles. Look out, too, for street art and frescoed walls.
Looking for a multi-day itinerary in Nantes? We've put together a number of different routes for you. Read our article on the subject here! You can also take advantage of the city's many guided tours, each more original than the last. Choose and book your tour now!
Here's a map of the main sights to see and do in Nantes:
Reason 4 - For its many museums
Nantes is not to be outdone in terms of its museums, which are of the highest quality. The choice is yours! We recommend you buy the famous city pass. It gives access to all the city's museums, as well as to the transport network! Avoid queuing on site and book it now here.
We particularly enjoyed visiting the Musée des Arts, one of the most beautiful in France. Its grandiose settings and magnificent collections will blow you away. At the Jules Verne Museum, you'll learn all there is to know about this visionary writer and immerse yourself in his extraordinary world. The Natural History Museum is also well worth a visit! Rediscover the genius of life.
To learn more about the history of the city and of France, visit the Musée de l'Histoire de Nantes and the Mémorial de l'Abolition de l'Esclavage. Are you an engineering enthusiast? The Maison des Hommes et des Techniques and the Musée de l'Imprimerie will meet all your expectations! There's more to come. The city is home to other museums. See our dedicated article to find out more.
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Reason 5 - For its cultural life and sights
A cultural mecca, Nantes offers one of the richest cultural programs in France. It hosts numerous events. Art and film festivals, music and dance festivals, biennials and literary fairs regularly enliven the city's daily life. Find out more about the city's cultural events here. You're sure to come across a special event during your stay. There's always something happening in Nantes!
We have to tell you about the Voyage à Nantes! This event takes place every year in summer. It's an artistic journey that takes in all the city's landmarks. Artists from all over the world take to the streets to display their most astonishing creations, transforming the city into a giant exhibition! The Parcours de L'Estuaire is an extension of the event, inviting you to discover dozens of works along the Loire. Find out more here. Why not plan a trip to Nantes at this time of year?
Throughout the year, the city of Nantes is also brightened up by curiosities. You'll be intrigued, for example, by the Lu Tower, a strange but beautiful art-deco lighthouse. Perched on the 32nd floor of the Tour Bretagne, Le Nid also caught our eye! Home to a huge white bird, this slightly crazy place is a work-bar designed by illustrator and humorist Jean Jullien. As you walk through the streets, you're sure to come across a green line. It's a multi-kilometre route marked out on the ground that allows you to visit the must-see places in the city center! Find out more here.
Reason 6 - For its old fishing village of Trentemoult
Nantes is sometimes so busy that it makes you want to get some fresh air. Take a trip to Trentemoult, a former fishing village, and enjoy the sea air of the estuary. The route itself is a nature getaway!
To reach the hamlet, you'll have to take the Navibus, the sea bus that plies the rivers of Nantes! No risk of seasickness, as the crossing takes just 10 minutes. Take the opportunity to admire the surroundings. You can see the Maillé-Brézé museum boat from the Gare Maritime, the Ile de Nantes and its Hangar à Bananes.
Once there, you'll fall under the spell of this authentic village! Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can stroll through streets lined with pretty houses, or relax on the banks of the river. Pay attention to the works painted on some of the walls and let yourself be lulled by the colors of the village. Don't miss this journey into Nantes' port past! See our dedicated article.
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Reason 7 - For its gastronomy
Nantes is worth it too! Set in a land of many specialties, the town's gastronomic delights can be discovered at its various markets and in its myriad restaurants.
Visit the Talensac covered market, a real institution! Every morning, except Mondays, merchants display fresh, quality produce. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, admire the colors and smell the aromas. A feast for the eyes and the taste buds! Try the local sweets, Rigolettes or Berlingots, and indulge in Curé, the local cheese. The Marché de Petite-Hollande also welcomes you on Saturday mornings on Île Gloriette. It's the city's biggest market. Click here to find out more about the city's other markets.
Nantes also abounds in fine restaurants. Enjoy French gastronomy in renowned restaurants! La Cigale, this magnificent art deco restaurant, will also seduce you with its traditional cuisine. Why not try a Michelin-starred restaurant like Le Roza or Le Manoir de la Régate, which offer elegant, refined dishes? For more ideas, read our tempting selection.
Reason 8 - For its streets and shopping arcades
A major city in western France, Nantes is home to a number of renowned shopping malls and streets brimming with shops. Whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find what you're looking for!
Go to the beautiful Passage Pommeraye for some shopping and a taste of the decor. This shopping mall, founded for the elegant women of the 19th century, embodied the city's success and wealth. The neoclassical architecture is grandiose. We enjoyed strolling through the luminous aisles and admiring the superb glass roof.
Stroll down Rue Crébillon, one of the city's main shopping avenues. You'll feel the pulse of life in Nantes. The Bouffay district, one of the oldest in Nantes, is also teeming with stores, including the famous Galeries Lafayette and other big-name stores. You'll find designer boutiques between Rue de Strasbourg and Cours des 50-Otages.
Reason 9 - For its green spaces
Dotted with green, the city is built around numerous gardens and parks. Don't miss a visit to the Jardin Extraordinaire. Inspired by the novels of Jules Verne, this lush green setting adorns the Bellevue - Chantenay - Sainte-Anne district. You'll marvel at the richness of the plant life and the creativity of the landscape.
The Parc Floral de la Beaujoire is also wonderful. You can stroll among thousands of flowers. The park is home to 14,000 rosebushes and hundreds of magnolias. The view over the Erdre is superb! The Grand Blottereau landscaped park is also worth a visit. We strolled through its large greenhouses and discovered rare exotic species.
The island of Versailles is home to a magnificent Asian-inspired park. These Japanese gardens will charm you with their exoticism. You'll appreciate the zen-like, poetic ambience of the landscape compositions.
Reason 10 - For its location on the Loire and Erdre rivers
As you'll see, Nantes, bordered by the Loire and Erdre rivers, grew up around both. They are an inherent part of the city and its dynamism. Witness to its port past, the rivers are now turned towards culture and pleasure boating.
Take a stroll along the Promenade des Belvédères to admire the riverbanks and the city. We particularly appreciated the artistic structure of the Belvédère de l'Hermitage. Take advantage of the Navibus to get around! This river shuttle will take you to various points in the town and to the village of Trentemoult. The perfect opportunity to take a ride on the water! Take the city pass, which gives you access not only to the boat bus, but also to all the city's public transport and museums!
Nantes is ideally located at the end of the Loire Valley and its famous châteaux! Take advantage of your stay to escape to the region and visit the castles around the metropolis. It's going to be a tough choice!
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Nantes
Itineraries
Visits
Some disadvantages of a trip to Nantes
A lively city
A victim of its own success, Nantes is a popular tourist destination all year round. Although slightly less busy in winter, the town is still very lively and densely populated. Expect to see a lot of people!
Traffic suffers from this human density. We warn you, it's a real nightmare getting around Nantes by car. Prefer public transport, which is particularly well-developed and makes getting around very easy. Opt for the city pass. It will give you access to the entire network, as well as to the city's main museums and must-see sites! Buy it now and consult the price conditions here.
The prices
Visiting the city of Nantes comes at a price. Of course, a number of activities are free of charge. Click here to find out more. But accommodation and restaurants are not cheap. Be prepared. We advise you to book your accommodation as early as possible to benefit from affordable prices. In fact, we've put together a list of pleasant hotels for you to stay at. You can also choose among the best rated accommodations in Nantes here!
Changeable weather
In Nantes, the weather can be capricious. With 89 days of sunshine a year on average, the city often finds itself in the rain. But each day often sees a succession of fine weather and occasional showers. You may hear the locals declaiming the local saying "In Nantes, the weather's fine several times a day!".
Don't forget to bring some protection from the elements. We recommend that you use raincoats rather than umbrellas, which can easily turn over in the wind.
How to get to Nantes
Nantes is within easy reach by car.
- Driving time from Tours: 2h
- Driving time from Angers: 1h10
- Driving time from Blois: 2h50
- Driving time from Orleans: 3h30
You can also fly to Nantes. Its international airport is close to the city center. Click here to find out which lines serve the airport. You can also book private transport from Nantes airport.
The town also has a TGV station, with many daily return services to Paris. The average journey time is 2h10. Allow 40min from Angers to Nantes and 2h to Tours. Book your train now.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
