Explore lively streets to discover an ancient city reinvented from its initial settlement on the Loire River banks over 2,000 years ago.
With its significant role in historical events from antiquity to the French Revolution, Nantes oozes national heritage. Study modern monuments and exciting culture trails to experience an art-rich city. Art festivals and diverse architectural flourishes have redefined the former province of Brittany’s medieval capital.
Nantes’ varied architecture is a major attraction. Learn about the city’s former reign as a Brittany icon when you visit the Château des ducs de Bretagne. From here, see the ruins of the Roman city walls and St. Peter’s Gate. Explore Le Bouffay, Nantes’ medieval heart, to see the Gothic Nantes Cathedral and Psalette mansion. Admire the ornate belfry towering above the Sainte-Croix Church. For modern architectural highlights, investigate the magnificent glass roof of the Passage Pommeraye and the 20th-century landmark Station Prouvé.
Admire sweeping city views from soaring Tour de Bretagne. Stroll along the Loire River banks and see intriguing public artworks on the Quai des Antilles. Follow Le Voyage à Nantes, a green-painted line weaving along miles of inner-city pavement to highlight a curated selection of public artworks, architectural treasures and monuments. This art project is also the force behind the Estuaire Nantes – Saint Nazaire art trail, which displays 30 artworks along the Loire River’s estuary. See more art displayed in the Fine Arts Museum, while zoological displays and minerals are showcased at the Natural History Museum of Nantes. Enjoy an Angers-Nantes Opéra performance at the Théâtre Graslin or catch a giant marionette show by the Royal de Luxe street theater company.
Have a break at a traditional terraced café or restaurant and enjoy Nantes’ fantastic offerings of fresh seafood and local produce. Try oysters, langoustines, cheeses and regional pastries. A short distance from the city, find a collection of vineyards growing Nantes’ celebrated muscadet wines.
Reach Nantes via plane or rail. A tram network facilitates getting around the city. Learn about Nantes’ fascinating heritage as you tour around the city’s historic seaport, medieval quarter and contemporary art trails.
Visitors often come to Nantes Centre for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Passage Pommeraye and Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you catch a ride at Commerce Tram Stop.
You'll enjoy the bars and gardens in Beaujoire. You might want to make time for a stop at Stade de la Beaujoire or Parc des Expositions de Nantes La Beaujoire.
Visitors to Ile de Nantes Palais des Congrès enjoy its river views, and if you want to do some exploring, Machines of the Isle of Nantes is worth a stop.
Unique features of Nantes Erdre include the river views and restaurants. Make a stop by Parc des Expositions de Nantes La Beaujoire or Stade de la Beaujoire while you're exploring the area.
Known for Historical Buildings, Cathedrals, Culture
5/5(1 review)
Historic sites and bars are highlights of Decré-Cathédrale. Make a stop by Nantes Cathedral or Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Commerce Tram Stop to get around town.
Top Hotels in Nantes
Estimated price for 1 night / 2 adults
Mercure Nantes Centre Grand Hotel
4 out of 5
4 Rue Du Couedic, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
NT$2,115
per night
Jan 2 - Jan 3
Located in Nantes Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Passage Pommeraye, University of Nantes, and Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany. Nantes Cathedral ...…Located in Nantes Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Passage Pommeraye, University of Nantes, and Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany. Nantes Cathedral ...WWW…
4.4/5Excellent! (381 reviews)
"Very friendly and helpful staff. They helped us to purchase train ticket from Nantes to Paris which would have been very difficult to do on our own. Excellent service in comparison to another Mercure Hotel in Paris near Eiffel Tower where we stayed on our way back to US. The Paris Mercure is not ..."…""Very friendly and helpful staff. They helped us to purchase train ticket from Nantes to Paris which would have been very difficult to do on our own. Excellent service in comparison to another Mercure Hotel in Paris near Eiffel Tower where we stayed on our way back to US. The Paris Mercure is not ..."WWW…"
Situated in Reze, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Machines of the Isle of Nantes, Passage Pommeraye, and Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany. Nantes Cathedral ...…Situated in Reze, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Machines of the Isle of Nantes, Passage Pommeraye, and Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany. Nantes Cathedral ...WWW…
3/5 (510 reviews)
Great location and friendly staff
"Great location and friendly staff"…""Great location and friendly staff"WWW…"
Located in Nantes Centre, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Passage Pommeraye, Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany, and Nantes Cathedral. Jardin des Plantes ...…Located in Nantes Centre, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Passage Pommeraye, Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany, and Nantes Cathedral. Jardin des Plantes ...WWW…
4.6/5Exceptional! (48 reviews)
"Pluses: excellent location best to Passage Pommeraye, stylish room, comfy large bed and linens, good shower, great coffee machine. Minuses: all food & drink was pricey, staff was a bit haughty and distant, and there was no closet, just a silly rack hard to get to and use—some of the style here was ..."…""Pluses: excellent location best to Passage Pommeraye, stylish room, comfy large bed and linens, good shower, great coffee machine. Minuses: all food & drink was pricey, staff was a bit haughty and distant, and there was no closet, just a silly rack hard to get to and use—some of the style here was ..."WWW…"
Learn more about the local history when you visit Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany, a well-known historical site in Nantes. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.
Learn more about the local history when you visit Nantes Cathedral, a well-known historical site in Nantes. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.
You can search for that perfect souvenir with a trip to Passage Pommeraye, a favorite shopping spot in Nantes. Amble around the area's gardens or visit its cathedral.
Step back in time and learn more about local history with a stop at Clisson Castle in Clisson. Stroll along the area's riverfront or simply enjoy its restaurants.
Reviews of Nantes
4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
16
5 - Excellent 45.714285714285715%
4 - Good
15
4 - Good 42.857142857142854%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 11.428571428571429%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%
4/5 - Good
Verified traveler
Oct 27, 2019
I went for a day to Mont Saint Michel, and it was beautiful!
4/5 - Good
Verified traveler
Oct 24, 2019
I had a wonderful time at the Theatre Gaumont watching 'Joker'
with a sold-out audience. The showing was in English with French subtitles. I appreciated that the theatre made the English version
available.
5/5 - Excellent
Verified traveler
Oct 4, 2019
What a beautiful city. I was impressed with the quality of living, the french people, the beautifull buildings and sights, the atmosphere and how safe it felt walking around at night.
5/5 - Excellent
Verified traveler
Aug 12, 2019
Go to the Slavery Memorial! It shows us how to remember that we know how to NOT chose sacrificing humans for profits.
3/5 - Okay
Mike
Jul 9, 2019
My future in-laws had a burglar in their room one night...on the second floor!
4/5 - Good
Verified traveler
Jul 2, 2019
Nantes was beautiful, but I did experience a possible pick pocket. I fought off the man that could have also been inebriated, but I was okay but please keep in mind to be careful when walking around at night. I was returning from Hellfest.
