Nantes
France
Why Nantes is a great destination
A creative riverside city with big-city culture and small-city ease, Nantes offers art, food and history in spades—without the queues or tourist crush.
- Culture & creativity: Playful, citywide art via Le Voyage à Nantes’ green line, the fantastical Grand Éléphant at Les Machines de l’Île, and the 19th‑century splendour of Passage Pommeraye; world‑class festivals (La Folle Journée, Les Utopiales) with space to breathe and ticket prices that don’t sting.
- Neighbourhood feel: Medieval Bouffay’s lanes, weekly brocantes at Place Viarme, and the local ritual of “crébillonner” along Rue Crébillon showcase everyday Nantes—independent boutiques and concept stores where authenticity trumps hype and prices are kinder than in headline hotspots.
- Food & drink: Shop like a local at Marché de Talensac, sip crisp Muscadet with Atlantic seafood, and try Curé Nantais cheese or a slice of gâteau nantais; plenty of cavistes and guinguettes keep things convivial without the reservation scramble.
- Green & riverside: Stroll the Jardin des Plantes, the Japanese garden on Île de Versailles, or the dramatic Jardin Extraordinaire, then follow the Erdre’s banks by bike—Nantes is walkable, bikeable, and blissfully unhurried.
Who should go to Nantes?
Nantes is ideal for curious city‑breakers who want art, history and great food in a compact, walkable centre. Festival‑goers, garden lovers and design‑savvy shoppers will find year‑round reasons to visit without big‑city hassle. It’s an easy alternative to Paris with more greenery, lower prices and a fiercely local vibe.
- History lovers: Trace the city’s port‑to‑creativity story at the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the 19th‑century Passage Pommeraye and LU’s legacy at Le Lieu Unique.
- Culture vultures: Time your trip for Le Voyage à Nantes, La Folle Journée, Les Utopiales or the free jazz of Les Rendez‑vous de l’Erdre, when the whole city becomes a festival.
- Foodies: Graze Marché de Talensac and fine‑food shops for Atlantic seafood, Curé Nantais and Muscadet—top quality at prices gentler than Paris.
- Shoppers & design lovers: Browse independent créateurs, concept stores and vintage at Place Viarme, then ‘crébillonnez’ along Rue Crébillon and the glorious Passage Pommeraye.
- Scenery seekers: Unwind in the Jardin des Plantes, the Japanese‑style Île de Versailles and the cliff‑side Jardin Extraordinaire, where art, water and greenery shine across Nantes.
- Families & active travellers: Ride the 12‑metre Grand Éléphant, cycle car‑light streets and riverside paths, and picnic in play‑packed parks that make city days easy with kids.
Who should go to Nantes?
Nantes is ideal for curious city‑breakers who want art, history and great food in a compact, walkable centre. Festival‑goers, garden lovers and design‑savvy shoppers will find year‑round reasons to visit without big‑city hassle. It’s an easy alternative to Paris with more greenery, lower prices and a fiercely local vibe.
- History lovers: Trace the city’s port‑to‑creativity story at the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the 19th‑century Passage Pommeraye and LU’s legacy at Le Lieu Unique.
- Culture vultures: Time your trip for Le Voyage à Nantes, La Folle Journée, Les Utopiales or the free jazz of Les Rendez‑vous de l’Erdre, when the whole city becomes a festival.
- Foodies: Graze Marché de Talensac and fine‑food shops for Atlantic seafood, Curé Nantais and Muscadet—top quality at prices gentler than Paris.
- Shoppers & design lovers: Browse independent créateurs, concept stores and vintage at Place Viarme, then ‘crébillonnez’ along Rue Crébillon and the glorious Passage Pommeraye.
- Scenery seekers: Unwind in the Jardin des Plantes, the Japanese‑style Île de Versailles and the cliff‑side Jardin Extraordinaire, where art, water and greenery shine across Nantes.
- Families & active travellers: Ride the 12‑metre Grand Éléphant, cycle car‑light streets and riverside paths, and picnic in play‑packed parks that make city days easy with kids.
Top things to do in Nantes
From elegant 19th‑century arcades to wild riverside parks and world‑class festivals, Nantes packs its best into a compact, walkable city. Here are the unmissable highlights to plan your trip around.
- Walk the Golden Triangle from Place Graslin via Rue Crébillon to the Passage Pommeraye for chic boutiques and Belle‑Époque splendour.
- Explore Le Voyage à Nantes by following the green line to art installations across the château, Île de Nantes and the city centre.
- Visit the Jardin des Plantes, Île de Versailles and the Jardin Extraordinaire for standout camellias, Japanese calm and quarry waterfalls.
- Take in a festival—La Folle Journée, Les Rendez‑vous de l’Erdre, Scopitone or Les Utopiales—for year‑round culture with a local buzz.
- Hike the leafy banks of the Erdre to La Beaujoire’s rose garden, or the Chézine and Procé greenways for easy urban nature.
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Top things to do in Nantes
From elegant 19th‑century arcades to wild riverside parks and world‑class festivals, Nantes packs its best into a compact, walkable city. Here are the unmissable highlights to plan your trip around.
- Walk the Golden Triangle from Place Graslin via Rue Crébillon to the Passage Pommeraye for chic boutiques and Belle‑Époque splendour.
- Explore Le Voyage à Nantes by following the green line to art installations across the château, Île de Nantes and the city centre.
- Visit the Jardin des Plantes, Île de Versailles and the Jardin Extraordinaire for standout camellias, Japanese calm and quarry waterfalls.
- Take in a festival—La Folle Journée, Les Rendez‑vous de l’Erdre, Scopitone or Les Utopiales—for year‑round culture with a local buzz.
- Hike the leafy banks of the Erdre to La Beaujoire’s rose garden, or the Chézine and Procé greenways for easy urban nature.
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3-day Nantes itinerary
Day 1: Historic heart and elegant shopping streets
Ease into Nantes with a wander through its medieval lanes and refined 19th‑century arcades. Today balances history, café culture and chic window‑shopping, with plenty of chances to practise crébillonner (strolling and browsing).
- Morning: Start at the château and the Bouffay quarter; loop the ramparts for views, then meander Rue de la Juiverie and Rue des Carmes for independent boutiques and comic shops. Pause at the former LU factory turned arts centre for a coffee by the canal; say “bonjour” when you enter small shops.
- Midday: Cross to Place Royale and Place Graslin via Rue Crébillon; dip into Passage Pommeraye for its three-tiered staircase and handsome stores. Grab a quick bite nearby (a galette or a Curé Nantais cheese tartine) and, in winter, the Christmas market around Place Royale.
- Afternoon: Continue crébillonner along Rue Crébillon and Rue du Calvaire for fashion chains and designer labels; pop into Galeries Lafayette’s food hall for local treats (Muscadet, Rigolettes Nantaises). Tip: many independents close for lunch 12:30–14:00 and on Monday mornings.
- Evening: Dine in the Graslin district, then stroll Cours Cambronne for a quietly elegant nightcap. If visiting during the summer Voyage à Nantes, follow the green line to discover art pieces lit after dusk.
Day 2: Gardens, riverbanks and creative Île de Nantes
Today is greener and slower: botanical gems in the centre, a waterside walk along the Erdre, then the city’s playful, post‑industrial artscape. It suits families and anyone who enjoys design, gardens and river views.
- Morning: Explore the Jardin des Plantes opposite the station; seek out the camellias in spring and the greenhouses year‑round. For kids, look for Claude Ponti’s whimsical benches and the resident pygmy goats.
- Midday: Head to Marché de Talensac (Tue–Sun mornings) for oysters, charcuterie and a glass of Muscadet at the counters; bring a reusable bag and let vendors choose the produce. If it’s a Monday, swap this for lunch around Place Viarme or the station area instead.
- Afternoon: Follow the Erdre towpath to the Japanese garden on the Île de Versailles; linger by the waterfalls and the Maison de l’Erdre. In warm months, take the river shuttle or rent a bike for an easy, flat ride.
- Evening: Cross to Île de Nantes for Les Machines de l’Île; watch the Grand Éléphant trundle past and browse the boutique for ingenious souvenirs. In summer, eat at La Cantine du Voyage; otherwise try a riverside bistro and check Stereolux for a concert.
Day 3: Markets, makers and dramatic quarry garden
Blend treasure‑hunting at open‑air markets with encounters with local designers, then end among cliffs and waterfalls with sweeping Loire views. This day flexes for weekends and shoulder seasons.
- Morning: On Saturday, browse the flea market at Place Viarme or the vast Petite‑Hollande market on the Loire; light haggling is fine at the brocante but not in boutiques. Weekdays, try Rue du Maréchal Joffre for fromagers, cavistes and artisan bakers.
- Midday: Seek out a créateurs collective near Bouffay to meet local makers; ask for a paquet cadeau if you’re gift shopping. Tip for non‑EU visitors: if you spend over the VAT threshold in one shop, request détaxe forms.
- Afternoon: Tram or cycle west to the Jardin Extraordinaire in the former Miséry quarry; enjoy the 8‑metre waterfall and near‑tropical planting, then take the panoramic promenade above the Loire. If you prefer lawns and shade, Parc de Procé’s rolling meadows are perfect for a picnic in late afternoon light.
- Evening: Time your visit for seasonal culture: late Aug/early Sep brings free jazz along the Erdre at Les Rendez‑vous de l’Erdre; July–Aug, follow the green line for twilight installations; Jan/Feb, book short concerts at La Folle Journée. Otherwise, settle into a wine bar for Muscadet and small plates, and remember shops are largely closed Sunday (plan parks and markets then).
Notes for smooth days:
- Buy a 24/48‑hour TAN pass and consider Bicloo bike‑share; city centre is mostly pedestrianised.
- Use Park‑and‑Ride if driving (ZFE restrictions apply).
- State sales run early Jan and late Jun; crowds peak, but bargains abound.
- Always greet shopkeepers on entry and thank them on leaving, even if browsing.
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Food and drink in Nantes
Nantes blends Atlantic freshness, Loire vineyards and a proud artisan streak. Think markets brimming with oysters and river fish, local cheeses, and rum-scented bakes. Lively cafés, wine bars and the Talensac market make tasting easy on foot.
- Beurre blanc – Silky butter–shallot–white wine sauce born on the Loire, perfect with pike-perch or Atlantic seafood; best savoured in classic bistros and bustling market eateries.
- Muscadet Sèvre‑et‑Maine sur lie – Crisp, saline local white that sings with oysters and shellfish; enjoy it in friendly wine bars or at riverside guinguettes in summer.
- Gâteau nantais – Moist almond cake glazed with rum and lemon, a city staple since trading days; pick it up from pâtisseries or linger over a slice in a café.
- Curé Nantais – Mild washed‑rind cow’s cheese from the coast, great on bread or melted; sample it at Talensac’s fromageries or on cheese boards in cosy bars.
Eat like a local: Discover Nantes top-rated restaurants on Tripadvisor
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Food and drink in Nantes
Nantes blends Atlantic freshness, Loire vineyards and a proud artisan streak. Think markets brimming with oysters and river fish, local cheeses, and rum-scented bakes. Lively cafés, wine bars and the Talensac market make tasting easy on foot.
- Beurre blanc – Silky butter–shallot–white wine sauce born on the Loire, perfect with pike-perch or Atlantic seafood; best savoured in classic bistros and bustling market eateries.
- Muscadet Sèvre‑et‑Maine sur lie – Crisp, saline local white that sings with oysters and shellfish; enjoy it in friendly wine bars or at riverside guinguettes in summer.
- Gâteau nantais – Moist almond cake glazed with rum and lemon, a city staple since trading days; pick it up from pâtisseries or linger over a slice in a café.
- Curé Nantais – Mild washed‑rind cow’s cheese from the coast, great on bread or melted; sample it at Talensac’s fromageries or on cheese boards in cosy bars.
Eat like a local: Discover Nantes top-rated restaurants on Tripadvisor
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Where to stay in Nantes
Choosing where to stay in Nantes is about matching the neighbourhood to your trip. Each quarter has a distinct feel, from medieval lanes to creative riverfronts. Here are the best bases by vibe.
- Bouffay (Medieval Centre) — cobbled streets, half‑timbered houses and lively bars; ideal for history lovers, first‑timers and night owls.
- Graslin & Crébillon (Golden Triangle) — elegant 19th‑century squares, Passage Pommeraye and theatres; best for shoppers, café‑hoppers and culture fans.
- Île de Nantes — creative district with Les Machines de l’Île, street art and riverside hangouts; great for design‑minded travellers and families.
- Hauts‑Pavés–Saint‑Félix (Talensac & Erdre) — local, calm streets by the Erdre and Marché de Talensac; suits foodies, joggers and those seeking quiet with easy access to the centre.
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Where to stay in Nantes
Choosing where to stay in Nantes is about matching the neighbourhood to your trip. Each quarter has a distinct feel, from medieval lanes to creative riverfronts. Here are the best bases by vibe.
- Bouffay (Medieval Centre) — cobbled streets, half‑timbered houses and lively bars; ideal for history lovers, first‑timers and night owls.
- Graslin & Crébillon (Golden Triangle) — elegant 19th‑century squares, Passage Pommeraye and theatres; best for shoppers, café‑hoppers and culture fans.
- Île de Nantes — creative district with Les Machines de l’Île, street art and riverside hangouts; great for design‑minded travellers and families.
- Hauts‑Pavés–Saint‑Félix (Talensac & Erdre) — local, calm streets by the Erdre and Marché de Talensac; suits foodies, joggers and those seeking quiet with easy access to the centre.
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Good to know before you go to Nantes
Travel to this city is straightforward, with a compact centre, clear signage, and excellent public transport. A few local quirks—like Sunday/Monday shop closures and festival crowds—are worth knowing to plan smoothly. Here’s what to expect at a glance.
- Affordability: Expect mid‑range hotels at €90–150 (budget €50–90), set‑menu lunches €15–22 and dinner mains €18–28; many parks and the summer art trail are free, and a 24‑hour transport pass is about €6–7.
- Transport: The centre is very walkable, with trams/buses (TAN) and Bicloo bikes covering most trips; use park‑and‑ride if driving, take TER trains/buses for easy day trips to Clisson, Pornic or La Baule, and the Navibus ferry across the Loire to Trentemoult.
- Language: French is the main language; English is reasonably understood in hotels, museums and by younger people, but a few basics (bonjour, s’il vous plaît) help in small shops and markets.
- Safety & comfort: Generally safe and friendly for families and solo travellers; just watch for petty theft on trams, in markets and busy spots like Passage Pommeraye, and keep an eye on belongings during evening festivals.
- Crowds: Peak times are July–August (summer art events) and December (Christmas market); January and late June sales draw shoppers, while April–June and September–October are calmer—note many independents close on Sundays, some on Mondays and mid‑August.
Good to know before you go to Nantes
Travel to this city is straightforward, with a compact centre, clear signage, and excellent public transport. A few local quirks—like Sunday/Monday shop closures and festival crowds—are worth knowing to plan smoothly. Here’s what to expect at a glance.
- Affordability: Expect mid‑range hotels at €90–150 (budget €50–90), set‑menu lunches €15–22 and dinner mains €18–28; many parks and the summer art trail are free, and a 24‑hour transport pass is about €6–7.
- Transport: The centre is very walkable, with trams/buses (TAN) and Bicloo bikes covering most trips; use park‑and‑ride if driving, take TER trains/buses for easy day trips to Clisson, Pornic or La Baule, and the Navibus ferry across the Loire to Trentemoult.
- Language: French is the main language; English is reasonably understood in hotels, museums and by younger people, but a few basics (bonjour, s’il vous plaît) help in small shops and markets.
- Safety & comfort: Generally safe and friendly for families and solo travellers; just watch for petty theft on trams, in markets and busy spots like Passage Pommeraye, and keep an eye on belongings during evening festivals.
- Crowds: Peak times are July–August (summer art events) and December (Christmas market); January and late June sales draw shoppers, while April–June and September–October are calmer—note many independents close on Sundays, some on Mondays and mid‑August.
Best time to go to Nantes
Seasonality in Nantes brings mild, often damp winters, fresh springs, warm summers, and mellow autumns. Peak crowds arrive in July–August for citywide events and long evenings; shoulder months offer rich culture with fewer visitors and better value.
- Shoulder Season (Spring & Autumn): 10–20°C with occasional showers; manageable crowds and good prices; a relaxed vibe with blossoming parks in spring and arts/festivals in autumn.
- High Summer: 22–28°C (hot spells possible); busiest and priciest; lively, festive atmosphere with Le Voyage à Nantes and long alfresco evenings.
- Winter: 4–10°C, often grey and damp; quietest and best value; cosy, cultural feel with Christmas markets and indoor museums/concerts.
Best time to go to Nantes
Seasonality in Nantes brings mild, often damp winters, fresh springs, warm summers, and mellow autumns. Peak crowds arrive in July–August for citywide events and long evenings; shoulder months offer rich culture with fewer visitors and better value.
- Shoulder Season (Spring & Autumn): 10–20°C with occasional showers; manageable crowds and good prices; a relaxed vibe with blossoming parks in spring and arts/festivals in autumn.
- High Summer: 22–28°C (hot spells possible); busiest and priciest; lively, festive atmosphere with Le Voyage à Nantes and long alfresco evenings.
- Winter: 4–10°C, often grey and damp; quietest and best value; cosy, cultural feel with Christmas markets and indoor museums/concerts.
Share Nantes with friends and start planning your trip together.
How to get to Nantes
By Air
- Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) sits 10–12 km southwest of the city centre (Bouguenais).
- Into town: taxi/ride-hail 20–30 minutes; public transport 25–35 minutes via local bus to Neustrie (Tram 3 terminus) then Tram 3 to Commerce.
- Alternatives: Rennes (RNS) is about 1h20–1h40 by car; city-centre to city-centre by train is ~1h15. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) has direct TGVs to Nantes in roughly 3 hours.
By Train
- Main station: Gare de Nantes (central; north exit faces the Jardin des Plantes). Frequent TGV/Intercités and TER services.
- Typical TGV/IC times:
- Paris Montparnasse: 2h05–2h20 (very frequent).
- Paris CDG (Terminal 2): ~2h50–3h15 (direct services daily).
- Rennes: 1h10–1h30; Angers: 35–45 min.
- Bordeaux: ~4h; Lyon Part-Dieu: 4h30–5h; Lille: 4h30–5h.
- Marseille: 6h30–7h; La Rochelle: 2h15–2h40.
- Atlantic coast TERs: Saint‑Nazaire 40–50 min; Le Croisic 1h10–1h30.
- Long‑distance coaches (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) use Gare Routière Baco next to the station; example times: Paris 5–6.5h, Bordeaux 4.5–5.5h, Rennes 2–2.5h.
By Car
- Main approaches:
- From Paris: A11 via Le Mans/Angers (3.5–4.5h).
- From Rennes: N137 (1h15–1h30).
- From Bordeaux/La Rochelle: A83 (La Rochelle ~1h45–2h; Bordeaux ~3.5–4h).
- From Brittany coast: N165/E60 (Vannes ~1h20; Quimper ~2h30; Brest ~3h20).
- The N844 périphérique (ring road) encircles the city; several P+R sites link to trams for easy centre access.
- Low‑Emission Zone (ZFE) applies to certain vehicles; a Crit’Air sticker may be required—check current rules before driving into the metro area.
- City‑centre driving/parking can be slow and costly; park‑and‑ride plus tram is often quickest.
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