City of art and history and second greenest city in France, Nantes offers unparalleled tourist wealth. Its geographical position, on the banks of the Loire; its ease of access or even its abundant cultural life, are all assets that make you want to come and see what there is to do in the city, for a weekend, a week, or a life !
Follow in the footsteps of the "Voyage à Nantes"
Le Voyage à Nantes is a tourist organization created in 2011 to promote the “Nantes Métropole” destination through culture. The result ? A course of fifty stages that can be appreciated by following a green line drawn on the ground throughout the city. On your way you will be amazed by the heritage, different views of the city and surprising works of art such as the Giant Tape Measure by Lilian Bourgeat, a contemporary artist specializing in oversizing everyday objects.
The work “The tape measure” by Lilian Bourgeat
The Voyage à Nantes is really a must to have a overview of the main things to do in Nantes ! And if this route makes you want to see more, follow the Estuaire route which will take you from Nantes to Saint-Nazaire along the water. 33 works of contemporary art mingle with the natural, atypical, industrial or remarkable environment of the banks of the Loire. An open-air museum to see absolutely!
Marvel at the Machines de l'Ile de Nantes
Difficult to visualize Nantes without its Grand Elephant! It is one of the most spectacular machines on the Ile de Nantes. Created by the street theater company "La Machine", it is 12 meters high. You will be sure to step aboard to get a whole new look at the island's old shipyards and above all to experience the gears and lugs in action from the inside. The ride lasts 45 minutes and its back can accommodate 50 passengers.
Nantes elephant
In the Machines gallery, you will be immersed in a real bestiary of prototype machines. Some visitors even have the chance to be able to pilot them! Will you be part of it? Finally a tour of the Carrousel des Mondes Marins located in front of the Jules Verne Museum will immerse you in the world of this famous Nantes writer. The Machines de l'Île de Nantes are a must-see whether you are young or old!
Savor Nantes specialties
On the edge of Brittany, Nantes obviously has no shortage of creperies! We eat traditional savory pancakes or crêpes with butterscotch… salty, of course. But we also taste sweets, such as the Nantes berlingot which was made in the XNUMXth century by an army canteen who brought the recipe from Italy, or Nantes cake, one of the most famous specialties, a mellow with almonds, sugar and vanilla, soaked in West Indian rum (an exotic note that echoes the city's past).
And of course the famous Little Butter, born in the LU factory. Finally, we drink Muscadet, an AOC white wine produced mainly in Loire-Atlantique, which can be associated with seafood bought in Talensac market, the most frequented covered market in Nantes with its 150 traders.
Contemplate the historical heritage of Nantes
City of art and history since 2000, Nantes has remarkable heritage buildings. If you are looking for what to do in Nantes, list these few essential visits:
- The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, Nantes History Museum in the heart of the city, opposite the Tourist Office: a tour of the history of the city;
- la Saint Peter and Saint Paul Cathedral: the tomb of François II, last Duke of Brittany and the crypts;
- le Memorial of the abolition of slavery: a symbolic commemorative monument affirming the will to “keep the memory of the past and warn for the future”;
- le Unique Place: former LU factory and today Scène nationale (live performance hall);
- the cicada : an Art Nouveau brewery classified as a Historic Monument;
- the Passage Pommeraye: a XNUMXth century shopping arcade on three levels, an exceptional place!
The castle of the Dukes of Brittany
Have fun at the Jardin des Plantes
Nantes has no less than 101 parks and gardens ! One of the most beautiful and above all astonishing is the Jardin des Plantes, awarded the Remarkable Garden label and one of the 4 major botanical gardens in France. It has more than 10 living species, 000 square meters of greenhouse, more than 800 flowers planted each season on 50 hectares of greenery, right in the city center.
Garden plants
And especially, you will enjoy strolling among the sculptures that make this garden totally unique! Claude Ponti, author and illustrator of French youth has produced a few works which remain permanent. The Dépodépo is a play area for children in which we enter giant terracotta pots. The Processionary Benches play on original shapes. At the Jardin des Plantes, we reconnect with our child's soul!
Navigate the Erdre
If the Loire is dominant, Erdre in the northern part of Nantes also has all its charm ! Around the island of Versailles, a multitude of possibilities to discover this river are available to you:
- Rent an electric boat from the company Ruban vert;
- go on a cruise with the Bateaux Nantais;
- embark on the Toue de Nantes, a traditional boat;
- escape on Gabara 1715, a barge;
- paddle a paddle with Floating;
- or spend the night on the Carpe Diem barge.
Back on land, visit the island of Versailles, an artificial island of 1,7 hectares transformed into a Japanese garden since 1983. A beautiful way to end your day relaxing in the Zen gardens with a Japanese tea.
Walk on the Erdre
Running doing something for the environment
Did you know that the global “Run Eco Team” movement was born in Nantes? In January 2016, Nicolas Lemonnier, a Nantes resident, created a Facebook group to invite people to run under the theme " 1 run 1 waste, run for a cleaner world ". A few months later, Facebook contacted Nicolas and made a shoot on the history of this movement with an American team. The initiative catches the eye of Mark Zuckerberg who uploads the video and receives more than 83 million views. Today, the association is present in more than 103 countries around the world and hundreds of one-off events are organized. So during your stay in Nantes, why not take advantage of discovering the banks of the Loire, the pretty districts or the parks by doing your part for the environment?
Running for a good cause
Visit Nantes' cultural venues
With no less than 110 cultural structures, culture is bubbling up in Nantes ! She lives everywhere and all year round, in museums, streets, libraries, festivals, etc. And there is something for everyone, both for locals and tourists passing through.
- Nantes Arts Museum;
- Jules Verne Museum;
- Museum of Natural History;
- Stereolux, contemporary music room;
- Pannonica, improvised music room and jazz;
- the TU, a young creation and emergence scene;
- the Grand T, a live performance hall;
- the zenith ;
- the Banana Hangar, one of Nantes' most emblematic entertainment venues on the Quai des Antilles, along the Buren rings, an unusual work of contemporary art.
If you do not know what to do in Nantes, these places will inevitably offer you something to educate you or to ambience you!
The art museum
Be surprised by street art
Dynamic city, turned towards innovation and youth, Nantes abounds in urban works of art. "Parade, Balade et Distorsion" is a journey of frescoes in the Nantes area. “Plan Graff” is a map that can be viewed directly on Google Maps, which can be found through the Nantes-tourisme website. It lists works produced on "legal spots", walls of free expression made available by the agglomeration. And at the bend of alleys or under the bridges, you will also necessarily be surprised in front of more “free” murals. Open your eyes, street-art beautifies the city by giving it some color!
Street art
Useful information
Here is some practical information that will be useful to you during your stay in Nantes:
- Nantes is served by the TGV, an international airport, highways and cycle paths including the famous La Loire à Vélo.
- To get around town, it is advisable to use public transport, in particular the tram. By bike, you will expand your circle of visitors. On foot, you will take the time to fully appreciate your stay.
- The Nantes Pass includes access to 30 services (museum, exhibitions, Machines de l'Île, etc.) and unlimited transport.
- Summer is one of the best times to discover the city because of its many activities. and its good climate.
The essentials of Nantes… and after?
Stuck in Nantes, Trentemoult, a former fishing village on the banks of the Loire is a nugget to put on your list of things to do in Nantes! You will walk through its pretty colorful streets and have a drink in front of the picturesque marina. It can be reached with the Navibus crossing the Loire from Nantes. Finally, cycling along the Loire is a must! Consult our article on the 8 getaways to do around Nantes to discover the route and other unmissable ideas!
