Sixth city of France by its number of inhabitants, Nantes is, with Bordeaux, one of the main cities of the Atlantic coast.
Nicknamed the City of the Dukes of Brittany, visit Nantes it is to discover a city with various aspects. On the one hand, a rich history intimately linked to Brittany, but also to the sad era of triangular trade. On the other hand, a modern city, which is constantly developing, with a growing cultural offer.
But Nantes is also close to the Atlantic Ocean which brings it this sweetness of life, attracting more and more people, whether tourists or simply new inhabitants. Let's now take a closer look at what this pretty city of Nantes has to offer: what to do, places to visit in Nantes and also practical advice for organizing your stay.
Summary:
- Presentation of Nantes
- Visit Nantes: what to do?
- Practical advice for visiting Nantes
- What to do around Nantes?
- My opinion on this visit to Nantes
Opt for a city pass to visit Nantes. Free entrances, reductions or even access to public transport. Valid for 1, 2 or 3 days! Buy your pass
Presentation of Nantes
Before getting to the heart of the matter, here are a few words of presentation on the city of Nantes. Located in the Loire Atlantique department, in the Pays de la Loire region, Nantes is on the banks of the Loire. About 50 kilometers separate Nantes from the Atlantic Ocean.
The history of Nantes is very rich over the centuries. As mentioned in the introduction, Nantes was in its past, within the Duchy of Brittany. Later, its port developed significantly and gave a new impetus to the city. Wine, salt or even cod then transited through Nantes.
Then came the dark period of the slave trade and trade in blacks. Nantes is sadly famous for being one of the first ports to engage in this trade. Many shipowners grew rich at this time.
Later, in the XNUMXth century, various industries settled in Nantes. Family businesses such as LU, Saupiquet or Beghin Say are giving new impetus to the town.
Today, the city of Nantes still has an important port: the large maritime port of Nantes-Saint-Nazaire. But also several testimonies of its past that you can visit during your stay in Nantes.
Visit Nantes: what to do?
- The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
- The Machines of the Island of Nantes
- Passage Pommeraye
- Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery
- Misery Quarry — Extraordinary Garden
- The Unique Place (LU)
- Trentemoult
- The Maille Brézé
- Banks of the Erdre — island of Versailles
- Museums to visit in Nantes
- The trip to Nantes
- St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral
- Garden plants
The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
Located in the center of the city, the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany is certainly the major historical site of the city. It is the most visited tourist site in Nantes, but also in the Loire Atlantique department.
History of the Château
The castle, as we know it today, was built at the end of the XNUMXth century. It was François II, Duke of Brittany, who wanted this construction. At the time, Brittany was still independent and the Duke wanted to make it a military fortress.
Anne de Bretagne, daughter of François II, Duchess of Brittany then Queen of France following the attachment of Brittany to France, contributed to the development of the château and made it what it still is.
In the following centuries, the castle was in turn the residence of the kings of France, barracks or prison.
Today, the castle belongs to Nantes Métropole and the Nantes History Museum. Major restoration work was undertaken and the castle was completely closed for 3 years. It reopened in 2007 and it is now possible to visit the different sections of the castle.
Various cultural events take place at the castle. There are Breton Nights, Summer Hours, Christmas at the castle, for example. The castle is also included in the Voyage à Nantes route, a tourist route through the city that takes place every summer.
Visit the Château de Nantes
To discover the site, and depending on the time you have, it is possible to visit all or part of:
- When you have little time, you can just enter the inner courtyard of the castle and walk around the ramparts. These spaces are open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 19 p.m. (until 20 p.m. from July 1 to August 31).
- For the rest, there are different possibilities. First of all, it is possible to visit the castle, the museum and the temporary exhibitions freely. The price is 8€ for the day ticket. Entry is free for those under 18 years old. There is also a reduced rate of €5 for 18-25 year olds. The visit with an audioguide is available for 2€ more.
Guided tours are offered. The price is 12€ per person. The visit is free for children under 7 years old. Reduced rates are €2,50 for 7-17 year olds and €7,50 for 18-25 year olds.
The only days the site is closed are January 1, May 1, November 1 and December 25.
The Machines of the Island of Nantes
The machines on the Ile de Nantes come straight from the imagination of two innovative designers. Their artistic project ingeniously mixes the universe of Jules Vernes and that of Leonardo da Vinci. You quickly feel small near the articulated elephant 12 meters high at the heart of the naves. For a unique experience, take a 30-minute journey on the back of a pachyderm on the quays.
The gallery of machines also houses the impressive companions of this mastodon. Discover the spider, the ant and the heron in this unusual gallery. For the most curious, explore the manufacturing secrets of this unique concept during an educational visit.
A little further, the carousel of the marine worlds takes you to meet the marine creatures of our oceans. To continue your walk, walk along the Quai des Antilles to the bars and restaurants of the Hangar à Bananes.
Passage Pommeraye
Not far from Place Graslin, Passage Pommeraye attracts all the attention of visitors and locals. This shopping arcade with Parisian influences is a Mecca for strolling around Nantes. Its huge glass roof overlooks a monumental staircase with unique architecture. Luxury stores are surrounded by statues and sculptures of arts and science.
Christmas is one of the best times to daydream in the gallery. Its aisles are adorned with their most beautiful festive colors to honor this period.
Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery
On the banks of the Loire stretches the imposing memorial to the abolition of slavery. This green promenade takes you back a few centuries, to the time of the slave trade.
Decipher the 2000 glass plates distributed along the esplanade. A large part indicates the ships responsible for the Nantes slave expeditions. The other part counts the slave trading posts, the ports of call and sales on all the continents concerned.
Then go down the grand staircase to continue this journey back in time. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights welcomes you with the word freedom translated into 47 languages. This commemorative visit leaves no one indifferent to the scale of slavery.
To find out more about this subject, go to the Nantes History Museum. The historical work they have carried out provides a better understanding of Nantes' slave trade past.
Misery Quarry — Extraordinary Garden
Towards Chantenay, the Misery quarry has become a natural setting in Nantes spread over 3,5 hectares. Stroll among banana, lotus or bamboo trees in this extraordinary garden. The highlight of the show is the 25-meter high waterfall overlooking the surroundings. This public garden also has a course of seven belvederes with a panoramic view of this incredible site.
The project is not yet finished: by 2022-2023 a heron tree will complete this landscape. This majestic structure, developed by the two designers of the island's machines, will take you on a ride through the air.
The Unique Place (LU)
Surely you know the famous LU cakes. But do you know that they are from Nantes? Coming from the old factory, the Lu tower is still in place opposite the castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Its architecture is recognizable from afar with its blue and gold colors.
On the ground floor, an exhibition retraces the remarkable history of this local biscuit factory. Then climb to the top of the tower to embrace the 360° view of the gardens and the castle.
Renamed the LU by the population of Nantes, it is also an art center with several exhibitions. Local youth like to relax in its trendy bar, dine in its restaurant and stroll through its bookshop.
Trentemoult
Take the fresh air just 10 minutes from the city of Nantes. The old fishing village of Trentemoult boasts colorful houses full of charm known to all. The people of Nantes like to come and stroll through its narrow streets far from the urban bustle. For the record, the fishermen painted the houses with the rest of the paint dedicated to their boats. At the end of the day, stop in one of the taverns on the banks of the Loire for a cool break.
The Maille Brézé
On the Quai de la Fosse, the Maillé Brézé floats majestically on the Loire. This French Navy squadron escort is today the only naval museum afloat in France.
Take advantage of a guided tour in the passageways of the ship to discover:
- machines : boiler room, turbine, control room;
- armaments : torpedoes, rockets, missiles;
- detection systems : sonars, radars ;
- life on board : kitchen, bakery, infirmary, center of operations.
A fun activity to get to know the interior of a flagship of the French Navy. Admission is €10 for adults and €6 for children.
Banks of the Erdre — island of Versailles
A former place of industrial activity, the island of Versailles has been transformed into a magnificent Japanese garden. Rockeries, waterfalls and Japanese vegetation breathe a Zen atmosphere typical of the gardens of the Pays au Soleil Levant. During your visit, don't miss the Maison de l'Erdre and its appearance of a traditional tea pavilion.
By bike or on foot, the banks of the Erdre have been laid out to make the most of Nantes' relaxed way of life. You can rent canoes and electric boats without a license for a trip along the water.
Museums to visit in Nantes
Nantes museums are full of treasures, each more priceless than the next. Here are two not to be missed to visit Nantes from every angle.
- Beaux-arts museum :
The Museum of Fine Arts is full of collections from ancient to contemporary art. During your visit, admire the artistic paintings, videos and photographs. - The Natural History Museum:
The natural history museum traces the origin of men and animal species. The must-see section is the zoology gallery with over 100 vertebrate animals. Don't miss the impressive 18m long whale skeleton. - The Jules Verne Museum:
The Jules Verne museum pays homage to the writer in a beautiful bourgeois house on the Butte Sainte-Anne. This renowned man from Nantes has never lived in this house. Lovers of Voyage sous la Terre will discover a magnificent collection of objects and original works by the author.
The trip to Nantes
Every year between July and August, Nantes organizes the Voyage à Nantes. This cultural event takes place throughout the city to help people discover Nantes' heritage. Contemporary works of art are installed everywhere like the birds of the Passage Pommeray. The castle of the Dukes of Brittany is adorned with an unusual slide for older children.
To find all the points of attraction, nothing could be simpler, follow the green line on foot or by bike.
The green Line
This green line can be followed throughout the year to visit Nantes. It will lead you to meet more than 60 must-see places in Nantes. You can follow her without hesitation. Thanks to her, it is impossible to get lost. And great discoveries will be waiting for you!
St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral
The Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul is an architectural masterpiece in the heart of Nantes. This historical monument is as large as Notre-Dame de Paris. Inside rests the last Duke of Brittany, François II, as well as a Romanesque crypt filled with the treasures of the building.
Garden plants
Visiting Nantes also means strolling through its incredible botanical garden just a stone's throw from the station. This seven-hectare green setting contains an impressive collection of flowers and plants. At a bend in the path, come across the sculpture of a funny bird or a giant bench. Botanical enthusiasts roam its 800 square meter greenhouse with pleasure, adorned with African and Asian orchids.
The garden is open from 8:30 a.m. to 17:15 p.m. in summer; and until 20 p.m. in winter.
Practical advice for visiting Nantes
- When to visit Nantes?
- How to come to Nantes?
- Where to park to visit Nantes?
- How long to visit Nantes?
- Where to sleep to visit Nantes?
When to visit Nantes?
Like many cities, Nantes can be visited in any season. But it will always be more pleasant to take advantage of sunny days to visit Nantes: stroll through its alleys, go to the island of Nantes, see the machines, enjoy the terraces at the Hangar à Bananes, …
For this, avoid the months of October to April. They are the rainiest and coolest.
The ideal is to plan your stay between May and September, with a particular mention for the month of July which will be the hottest and least rainy.
Regarding the temperatures, they will be relatively mild throughout the year: from about 5° in winter to 25° in summer.
How to come to Nantes?
Nantes is a fairly well served and accessible city, despite its fairly remote geographical location. It has different means of transport: train, plane, highway. So you have the choice!
- By car : Nantes is easily accessible from Brittany via Rennes or Vannes, both of which are around an hour and a half away. Paris is further away, but you will have access by motorway to the end. Allow at least 2 hours by road to connect Paris and Nantes. As for Bordeaux, it will take about 1h30 by road, just like Bourges. If you want to go further east, north or south of the country, the distances are going to be more than 4 hours by road, which leads me to tell you about the train and the plane, which will save you precious time.
- By train : as we have just mentioned, Nantes is quite far from certain cities such as Lille, Lyon or Marseille. To cross France, you can therefore opt for a train journey and then a car rental on site if necessary. Direct trains exist between Nantes and Lyon, Rennes, Lille or Le Mans for example, but for some cities, they are rare. The easiest way is to go through Paris, then take a direct train to Nantes. The direct journey between Paris and Nantes takes just under 2h30. See trains to Nantes
- By plane : another possibility if you are quite far from Nantes is to take the plane. With its own airport located less than 30 minutes from the center of Nantes, this can be an ideal solution for visiting Nantes. You will find direct flights from many cities such as Lille, Lyon, Nice or Toulouse and even Corsica. Again, you can rent a car on site if needed. See flights to Nantes
Where to park to visit Nantes?
If you go to Nantes by car, various car parks are available. Whether it is covered car parks, closed car parks or places on the road, you will have the choice. The selection of your car park will also depend on your accommodation and where you will arrive in town. Your accommodation may even offer free parking.
Regarding car parks in the city center, I advise you to consult the official Nantes car park website. Everything is well explained and detailed.
How long to visit Nantes?
Nantes is an ideal city for a weekend. Neither too big nor too small, over 2 days you will have time to go around the city and visit the main tourist sites. Nantes can also be the perfect destination for a slightly longer stay. Indeed, some places to see are outside the city, so a minimum of 3 days will be useful to have time to enjoy Nantes and its surroundings.
Where to sleep to visit Nantes?
To answer this rather broad question, we decided to write a specific article. You will find essential information to choose your district, but also the ideal accommodation for your stay: hotel, apartment, …
Read the article: Where to sleep in Nantes?What to do around Nantes?
Now that we have seen all the things to do and visit in Nantes, I offer you an overview of some tourist places to visit around Nantes.
- The salt marshes of Guérande
- Clisson, an Italian town in Brittany
- The Nantes vineyard
- Saint-Nazaire and the Escal'Atlantic museum
- The Loire estuary
- The castles of the Loire
The salt marshes of Guérande
Near Nantes, the salt marshes of Guérande form a unique landscape, shaped by the hand of man over the centuries. The Romans already exploited this area to produce their salt!
Labeled “Site Remarquable du Goût”, the salt marshes extend over 2 hectares.
Do not miss to discover the subtleties of the ancestral know-how of the salt workers of Guérande. Many of them invite you to visit their farms to share their experience!
In Batz-sur-Mer, the Salt Marshes Museum will allow you to learn even more about this part of the local heritage in its own right.
Clisson, an Italian town in Brittany
Burned during the Vendée wars, the town of Clisson was in ruins in the XNUMXth century. Pierre Cacault, a civil servant from Nantes, moved to Clisson with his brother François, an artist, and they were to breathe new life into the city. The reconstruction of the city is done gradually, following the Tuscan architectural influence. City of art, it attracts many artists, including François-Frédéric Lemot.
Capital of the Nantes vineyard, Clisson will charm you with its narrow streets, its castle and its medieval halls, as well as its sumptuous Romanesque church.
Don't hesitate to take a detour to the Garenne-Lemot estate, where a 13-hectare park and remarkable buildings will offer you a moment of relaxation with family or friends.
The Nantes vineyard
3rd largest wine-growing region of French appellation wines, the Loire Valley has a great diversity of terroirs and wine varieties.
An essential destination for wine tourism enthusiasts, the Loire Valley Wine Route will allow you to discover, over nearly 800 kilometres, a rich and varied heritage as well as sublime landscapes shaped by the cultivation of the vine.
Book your tastingSaint-Nazaire and the Escal'Atlantic museum
Labeled City of Art and History, Saint-Nazaire is a must-visit near Nantes: megalithic remains, port complex, submarine base, shipyards, bridge crossing the estuary, etc., there are plenty of what to do in the city!
Opened in 2000, the Escal'Atlantic museum is worth a visit. Inspired by the architecture of an ocean liner, this interpretation center takes you on a discovery of the history of transatlantic navigation and notably presents elements of the most famous ships in the world. A must visit with the family!
The Loire estuary
From Nantes to Saint-Nazaire, the banks of the Loire and the river estuary offer sumptuous landscapes! By car, bike or boat, travel the almost 60 kilometers along which the Loire widens to flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
Along your journey, you can also look for and admire the remarkable works of contemporary art on the Parcours Estuaire: the villa with a fireplace, a house in the Loire, a belvedere overlooking the Loire, a snake in the ocean, etc.
The castles of the Loire
Finally, I have to tell you about one of the main tourist activities to do in the region. It is a question of visiting the Châteaux of the Loire. Indeed, Nantes is the gateway to this magnificent valley where the most beautiful castles in France reside. All of these castles are distributed from Nantes to Orléans, some are therefore quite far from Nantes. But it may still be interesting to point out that the first castles are about an hour's drive from Nantes. If you want to visit the best known such as Chambord or Chenonceau, then you will have to plan a little further. About 1 hours to reach Tours, 2h2 for Chenonceau or 30h for Chambord. The city of Nantes can serve as a starting or ending point following your visit to the various Châteaux de la Loire.
Read the article: Where to stay to visit the Châteaux de la Loire?
My opinion on this visit to Nantes
Nantes is a very pleasant city to visit and, from what we were told, to live in. At the same time dynamic, lively and cultural, the things to do in Nantes are numerous. Whether visits, walks or cultural events of all kinds, we really appreciated this diversity. The atmosphere of the city is also very pleasant. We particularly enjoyed our visit to the Hangar à Bananes on the Île de Nantes, where we also came across the elephant in the middle of a walk. Be careful, this machine can spray you at any time!
