Nantes is an important city in north-west France, located in the Loire-Atlantique department of the Pays-de-la-Loire region (not the region of Brittany as you might expect, despite the town previously being home to the Dukes of Brittany and being a capital of that region), on the confluence of the Loire and Erdre rivers.
Explore Nantes
France This Way review: A lively and active university city - it is the 6th largest city in France - Nantes is a pleasant town ('Time magazine have voted it the most livable town in France') and is also a very interesting town: a visit is recommended if you are in the region.
Whilst walkable the city of Nantes is quite spread out with the castle and cathedral in the centre, the Jardin des Plantes to the east; the Passage Pommeraye and the Opera to the west.
South of these is the Isle de Nantes home to the exraordinary Machines de L'Isle including the giant walking mechanical elephant, and to the north is the Isle de Versialles with its beautiful Japanese garden.
As with many cities of this size, the pleasure is as much in simply wandering the streets, discovering lost corners and people watching as it is in visiting the highlights.
The heart of the town is the region around the castle - the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne - and there is much to discover in the castle and in the streets that surround it.
Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne
The 13th century Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne played an important role in the history of the region, culminating in the Edict of Nantes in 1598 that ended the terrible Wars of Religion in France.
The castle includes both defensive elements such as the fortifications and towers that surround it, and more luxurious elements in the interior buildings - witness to its role as a residential palace.
The buildings, set around the open courtyard within the castle walls, span a large period of history, from the 14th to the 18th centuries - hence they also incorporate a wide range of styles.
The highlights include the Grand Logis; the keep (donjon); and the extensive Museum of Nantes that is within the castle buildings.
Cathedral of Saint-Peter and Saint-Paul
Taking 450 years to build, Nantes cathedral is found just north of the castle. The cathedral is in the gothic style, and the facade has two large square towers either side of the ornately decorated entrance.
The high interior is bright and light, with interesting modern stained glass windows. Be sure to see the marble tomb of Francois II and his wife, perhaps the highlight of a visit to the cathedral.
If possible you should also try to see the cathedral in the evening when it is lit up and very attractive.
Jardin des Plantes and other gardens
Found north-east of the castle and cathedral, Nantes botanical gardens, the Jardin des Plantes, cover a substantial seven hectares (16 acres) and contain a very impressive range of plants, both in the gardens and in the tropical greenhouses.
These gardens are certainly a highlight of a visit to Nantes, and very easy to access from the city centre.
The Japanese Gardens on the island next to the Quai de Versailles contain some lovely specimen trees from Japan and carefully laid out water features. Another interesting garden is the Parc du Grand Blottereau, to the east of the town centre,
In 2019 the Jardin Extraordinaire de Nantes was created in a disused quarry on the western edge of Nantes. This wonderful garden is well worth the walk to explore.
Architecture and buildings
If you explore Nantes to the west of the castle you can see the architecture and buildings of both the cobbled streets of the medieval old town with numerous impressive half-timbered houses and the more recent (19th century) grand townhouses.
The region around and between Place Royale and Place Graslin is the most interesting to visitors, and includes Rue Crebillon, the heart of the shopping centre of Nantes.
Place Graslin is home to the Opera Graslin whose 8 Corinthian columns dominate the square. The square and Opera building are all lit-up beautifully on a night.
Another highlight of this area is the Passage Pommeraye, an arcade of shops and art galleries with a glass roof, statues and stone columns. This glass arcade is three storys high which is very rare in Europe.
Some more of the impressive 18th century houses can be found along the Quai de la Fosse and along the Loire River banks.
The Ile de Nantes
An extensive island in the Loire River, the Île de Nantes has been modernised and now has several modern buildings and interesting features that incorporate the tradition of the island (such as large cranes, transformed from 'heavy industry' to 'artistic statement'!) with the very modern (the building of the Law courts).
A popular highlight is the enormous mechanical moving machines such as the 'Giant elephant'. These are now a major attraction to the city of Nantes
The elephant is housed in a former warehouse that is now the Galerie des Machines. When the elephant leaves to walk around the Parc des Chantiers it can carry up to 50 passengers on its tour.
The elephant is 12 meters high and has three different walking routes. There is also a giant heron, a giant caterpillar and a giant spider to discover and potentially ride on.
Check the machines of Nantes website for times and note that they are often closed on Mondays outside of school holidays.
As well as the Galerie des Machines there is also a wonderful carousel on the isle. The Carrousel des Mondes Marins is a wonderful three level carrousal of sea animals with rides on all three levels.
If you take the Pont Anne de Bretagne bridge over the river from the Parc des Chantiers to the Quai de Fosse you can visit the very impressive 400 meter long Memorial to the abolition of slavery designed by Krzysztof Wodiczko and Julian Bonder.
Nantes Museums
The Natural History Museum is located near to Place Graslin and has an impressive number of specimens.
The Fine Art Museum in Nantes would be worth visiting just to see the architecture of the building that houses the museum. But be sure to enter! The art museum has an important collection of modern art, as well as a substantial collection of medieval and other paintings.
The Fine Art Museum can be found near to the Jardin des Plantes and also near here is another art centre, the Lieu Unique.
The Lieu Unique is a former biscuit factory that has been converted into a trendy arts centre and bar. Be sure to go up the tower of the old factory for fine views across the city, and to see what performances or exhibits are currently showing.
The tower is beautiful and was built as an advert for the LU biscuit brand.
Fans of Jules Verne will want to visit the museum based in the house where the writer was born to learn more of his life and inspiration. This is located on the Quai du Marquis d'Aiguillon.
Attractions nearby
Children will enjoy the extensive animal park at La Coulée du cerf, at 20 minutes from Nantes - pheasants, rare sheep, camels, cows, wallabies etc and plenty of space for picnics and to run around.
Take the ferry from the Gare Maritime opposite the western edge of the Ile de Nantes, to the pretty village of Trentemoult. This little riverside village has brightly coloured houses and lots of cafés and restaurants where you can stop and enjoy the quiet after the bustle of Nantes.
You can find more travel ideas in the Loire-Atlantique guide and the Pays de la Loire guide.
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Places to visit near Nantes
The Jardin Extraordinaire of Nantes
The Jardin Extraordinaire de Nantes has been created in an old quarry and features cliffs, waterfalls and luxuriant planting.
The Jardin Extraordinaire of Nantes guide
Clisson
Clisson has a medieval castle, and an interesting architectural style having ben largely re-built in Italian style about 250 years ago
Clisson guide
Les Moutiers-en-Retz
The small town of Les Moutiers-en-Retz is best known for the nearby beach which attracts many summertime campers
Les Moutiers-en-Retz guide
Chateau de Tiffauges
The Chateau de Tiffauges is a 12th century castle in Vendee, known for its medieval re-enactments
Chateau de Tiffauges guide
Pornic
Pornic is one of the liveliest and most vibrant harbour towns along the Jade Coast
Pornic guide
Saint-Brevin-les-Pins
The beach at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins is the main attraction and we also enjoyed exploring the dunes and forest
Saint-Brevin-les-Pins guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Loire-Atlantique
Tourist classifications for Nantes
Nantes has received the following tourist classifications: historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé); listed town of Art and History ; village in bloom (ville fleurie) 4*
Address: Nantes, Pays de la Loire, 44000, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 47.2167, longitude -1.55
Plan your visit to Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardin des plantes: remarkable garden
- Petite Amazonie de Nantes: site of natural beauty
- Île Héron (France): site of natural beauty (4 km)
- Carquefou: ville fleurie 4* (10 km)
- Lac de Grand-Lieu: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Planète sauvage (parc): zoo or wildlife park (19 km)
- Marais de Machecoul: site of natural beauty (32 km)
- Loire Estuaire: site of natural beauty (44 km)
- Puy de Fou: theme park (59 km)
- Fauconnerie du Puy du Fou (falconry): zoo or wildlife park (60 km)
- Marais de Vilaine: site of natural beauty (61 km)
- Saint-Jean-de-Monts: ville fleurie 4* (61 km)
Market days in Nantes, France
Regular market(s) are held in Nantes each Sunday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Nantes (Francais)