Nantes

Travel Guide

Nantes which includes heritage elements and heritage architecture
Nantes showing heritage elements
Nantes featuring heritage architecture, heritage elements and a church or cathedral
Nantes featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture
Nantes which includes heritage elements and a garden

Nantes, the historic city of the kings of Brittany, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Breton history while enjoying its dynamic contemporary atmosphere.

Nantes has been part of the Loire-Atlantique department since 1790, but its inhabitants are still very much Breton in spirit. It's true that a charming scent of Armorica still hangs in the air in the city, built on the majestic river Loire. A detour via the countless crêpe shops in the quartier Graslin or Cours Cambronne will give you a real, delicious taste of this Celtic nostalgia.

Start your exploration of the city with a visit to the Château des ducs de Bretagne, which will immediately immerse you in the mediaeval atmosphere of the court of Anne of Brittany, who was Queen of France. If you come in the summer, try to book for the illumination of the moat and the ramparts, and unforgettable enchanting spectacle. The museum recounts the history of Nantes over five centuries entry is free.

Next, take a little time to wander the cobbled streets around the superb passage Pommeraye, whose decorated arcades are filled with beautiful boutiques. The mediaeval area of Bouffay is perfect for a lively meal in the evening, with eel from the Loire, a glass of Muscadet and a salted caramel tart, for example. If you're looking for a waterside atmosphere, the banks of the Loire are charming– a slice of calm in the middle of the city – and the estuary, which goes from Nantes to Saint-Nazaire, is packed with natural and cultural treasures.

Lovers of visual art will be spoiled with two unmissable visits that are perfect for young and old alike. It's impossible to escape the Machines de l’île, which live in the former naval shipyards. Your children will love riding 12 metres up atop the giant mechanical elephant, and straddling the creatures of the 25-metre-high sea creatures carousel. Alongside the Saint-Félix canal, the former Lu biscuit factory (and its famous all-butter biscuits!) is now known as the Lieu Unique. The fantastic industrial building has been turned into an unusual art centre, with regularly changing exhibitions.

Nantes is the capital of the Loire-Atlantique department and you can get there by flying to Nantes Atlanique Airport or by high-speed train (two hours from Paris). In town, you can get around via the tramway.

Where to stay in Nantes

Nantes featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Nantes Centre

If you're spending time in Nantes Centre, you might enjoy attractions like Place du Commerce and Place Royale. You might also enjoy the neighborhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Commerce Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Nantes Centre
Nantes featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Decré-Cathédrale

Historic sites and bars are highlights of Decré-Cathédrale. Make a stop by Nantes Cathedral or Château of the Dukes of Brittany while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Commerce Tram Stop to get around town.

Decré-Cathédrale

Hauts-Paves - Saint-Felix

Hauts-Paves - Saint-Felix is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Japanese Garden and BabyBob.

Hauts-Paves - Saint-Felix

Madeleine-Champ de Mars

Visitors to Madeleine-Champ de Mars enjoy its historic sites, and if you want to do some exploring, Le Lieu Unique is worth a stop.

Madeleine-Champ de Mars
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Graslin - Commerce

Graslin - Commerce is noteworthy for its coffeehouses, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Passage Pommeraye and Place du Commerce.

Graslin - Commerce
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Nantes Sud

You might enjoy the restaurants while you're in Nantes Sud, and if you want to see some more of the larger Nantes area, you can catch a ride on the metro at Clos Toreau Tram Stop.

Nantes Sud
Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Nantes

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Nantes

4 out of 5
2 bis rue de Santeuil, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (639 reviews)
"Lovely place to stay, little noisy if you are a light sleeper but maybe a higher floor would be better. Staff super helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Nantes
Mercure Nantes Centre Gare

Mercure Nantes Centre Gare

4 out of 5
50-51 Quai Malakoff, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
The price is P5,207 per night from Aug 19 to Aug 20
P5,207
P6,114 total
Aug 19 - Aug 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (491 reviews)
Lovely hotel.
"Great location, and felt safe. A small walk through the station to the main tourist area for the chateau. Would stay again."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Mercure Nantes Centre Gare
Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre

Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre

4 out of 5
10 rue Konrad Adenauer, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
The price is P4,478 per night from Aug 29 to Aug 30
P4,478
P5,312 total
Aug 29 - Aug 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (665 reviews)
"Great value for money for a family. Clean, spacious, and comfortable. Not much to do around the corner, but very well connected and close to the main attractions"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre

Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre

4 out of 5
10 rue Konrad Adenauer, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (665 reviews)
"Great value for money for a family. Clean, spacious, and comfortable. Not much to do around the corner, but very well connected and close to the main attractions"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre
Citadines Confluent Nantes

Citadines Confluent Nantes

4 out of 5
2 Avenue Anne Cazeneuve, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Popular attractions Centre Commercial Beaulieu and Machines of ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (205 reviews)
Un endroit super
"Nous avons adoré notre séjour: propreté, personnel, chambre, tout était super . Seul petit bémol : l’air climatisé qui ne fonctionne pas."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Citadines Confluent Nantes
Comfort Aparthotel Nantes La Beaujoire

Comfort Aparthotel Nantes La Beaujoire

3 out of 5
2 rue des Citrines, Chemin du chateau de l'Aubiniere, Nantes
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Stade de la Beaujoire and Beaujoire ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (582 reviews)
"Good cheap accommodation We had three rooms. One had a strong smell of curry, but apart from that it was fine."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Comfort Aparthotel Nantes La Beaujoire
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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