Things to do in Nantes

Things to do in  Nantes

Crumbling castles and crisp whites

On the banks of the Loire, westerly Nantes was long one of France’s most important port cities. Today, it has blossomed into a vibrant, livable urban center, with a wealth of history and culture. The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany dates to the 15th century and is one of the city’s most imposing landmarks, alongside the Gothic magnificence of the Nantes Cathedral. Nantes’ decidedly creative spirit can be seen in the Machines de l’Île theme park (inspired by the works of Nantes-born Jules Verne) and Le Lieu Unique, a contemporary arts space.

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Top 6 attractions in Nantes

#1

Machines of the Isle (Les Machines de L'ile)

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Whether you’re climbing aboard a life-size mechanical elephant, riding on a carousel of fantastical sea creatures, or operating a flying machine, a visit to Les Machines de L'île is probably unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Inspired by the creations of novelist Jules Verne, Nantes’ flagship attraction is fun for all ages.More
Tours & Tickets
#2

Nantes Art Museum (Musée d'Arts de Nantes)

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Nantes’ flagship art museum whisks art lovers on a journey through nine centuries of art, from 13th-century Old Masters to modern and 21st-century contemporary art. It’s a thrilling ride, with more than 12,000 works on display and plenty of big-name artists in the mix, including Picasso, Monet, Delacroix, Kapoor, and Soulages.More
Tours & Tickets
#3

Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany)

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Considered one of Nantes’ most important landmarks, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) has been a listed Historic Monument since 1862. Built by the last Duke of Brittany, François II, in the late 15th century, the castle is now home to the Museum of the History of Nantes (Musée d’Histoire de Nantes).More
Tours & Tickets
#4
Boissière du Doré Zoo (Zoo de la Boissière du Doré)

Boissière du Doré Zoo (Zoo de la Boissière du Doré)

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Founded in 1984 and located 45 minutes from Nantes, the Zoo de la Boissière du Doré is home to over 800 animals and 70 different species, from giraffes to panthers to blue poison dart frogs. A popular destination for families, this conservation center and zoo gives visitors the chance to learn about wildlife from around the world.More
#5
Jules Verne Museum (Musée Jules Verne)

Jules Verne Museum (Musée Jules Verne)

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Jules Verne, acclaimed author of Around the World in 80 Days, was born in Nantes, where today a museum pays homage to his life and literary works. Personal objects, first-edition manuscripts, and handwritten edits are among the treasures inside, making a trip there a treat for book lovers and Verne enthusiasts alike.More
#6
Escal’Atlantic

Escal’Atlantic

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In the French port city of Saint-Nazaire, near Nantes, get a glimpse of what life would have been like aboard a historic ocean-going vessel. Escal’Atlantic, an interactive museum dedicated to “the historical ocean-liner experience,” displays more than 200 artifacts, all of which hail from ships built in Saint-Nazaire.More

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Top activities in Nantes

Discover Nantes while playing! Escape game - The alchemist

Discover Nantes while playing! Escape game - The alchemist

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From
$21.81
per group
Nantes Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

Nantes Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

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4
From
$302.72
per group
Half-Day Tour in Nantes

Half-Day Tour in Nantes

From
$290.78
Towed buoy session in Loire Atlantique

Towed buoy session in Loire Atlantique

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4
From
$26.18
City game The Alchemist’s Elixir - Nantes Jardin des Plantes

City game The Alchemist’s Elixir - Nantes Jardin des Plantes

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1
From
$20.73
per group
Cosmetic workshop - tailor-made face cream

Cosmetic workshop - tailor-made face cream

From
$49.09
PANORAMA TOUR OF NANTES by electric bike

PANORAMA TOUR OF NANTES by electric bike

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From
$60.00
Nantes Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

Nantes Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

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From
$52.36
Explore Nantes in 1 hour with a Local

Explore Nantes in 1 hour with a Local

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1
From
$75.27
Nantes : Private Walking Tour With A Local

Nantes : Private Walking Tour With A Local

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3
From
$51.27
Classic Roadtrip

Classic Roadtrip

From
$272.72
per group
Nantes Private Transfer from Nantes Airport to City centre

Nantes Private Transfer from Nantes Airport to City centre

From
$65.45
per group
Nantes Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game

Nantes Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game

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From
$21.76
per group
Outdoor escape game | Jules Verne - The extraordinary challenge

Outdoor escape game | Jules Verne - The extraordinary challenge

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From
$16.36
From Nantes - Vineyard of Nantes in Minivan - Half day

From Nantes - Vineyard of Nantes in Minivan - Half day

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From
$87.27
Nantes Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour

Nantes Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour

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From
$6.55
Surprise Walk of Nantes with a Local

Surprise Walk of Nantes with a Local

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2
From
$108.00
Nantes Private Transfer from Nantes city centre to Nantes Airport

Nantes Private Transfer from Nantes city centre to Nantes Airport

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From
$65.45
per group
Guided treetop adventure course in the heart of Nantes

Guided treetop adventure course in the heart of Nantes

From
$30.55
Transfer Nantes Airport to Mont-Saint-Michel

Transfer Nantes Airport to Mont-Saint-Michel

From
$567.26
per group
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All about Nantes

When to visit

Nantes is most popular in summer. It’s when tourists flock to landmarks such as the Château des ducs de Bretagne, head beyond city limits to the Brittany coast, and attend events such as the Summer Hours Festival (Festival aux Heures d’Été), which brings a wide-ranging program of concerts, screenings, and other performances to the city. To discover the university city’s scholarly side, visiting in autumn is also a pleasant and comfortable time to explore.

Getting around

Nantes is accessible by mainline trains from Paris via the Nantes Station (Gare de Nantes), and the Nantes Atlantique Airport connects the city to domestic and international destinations. Nantes itself operates a tram system, multiple bus routes, and an airport shuttle. Otherwise, Nantes is eminently walkable (its medieval Bouffay district is best explored on foot), and is also bike-friendly.

Traveler tips

The people of Nantes are food lovers, and one of the best places to discover the city’s gastronomic side is in the covered Marché de Talensac, which dates to the 1930s. Inside, visitors can browse produce stalls; shop for cheese, meat, and freshly caught seafood; or visit the small cafés and bars nearby, which offer an easy way to indulge in all that fresh and local fare.

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Tours
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People Also Ask

What is Nantes known for?

Nantes is the birthplace of French writer Jules Verne and is renowned for its unique Verne-inspired Machines of the Isle, which include a giant mechanical elephant that takes visitors for rides across the city. The city is also famous for its medieval Château des Ducs de Bretagne and muscadet wine.

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How many days do you need in Nantes?

Nantes is compact, allowing you to see the highlights, including the elephant from the Machines of the Isle, Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, and Passage Pommeraye, in one day. Alternatively, plan a weekend or 3-day stay to visit the vineyards and Voyage à Nantes art trail and experience the buzzing nightlife.

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Does Nantes have a beach?

Nantes is less than an hour’s drive from the Atlantic Coast, but there are no beaches in the city itself. The closest beaches to Nantes are Pornic and Saint-Brevin-les-Pins on the south side of the Loire, and Saint Nazaire and La Baule on the north side.

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What food is Nantes known for?

Nantes has a burgeoning gastronomic scene influenced by its Breton heritage and its Atlantic coast location. Tuck into a tasty galette, some fresh oysters, or seafood with creamy beurre blanc sauce. Local specialties also include Curé Nantais cheese, Nantais cakes, and white muscadet wine.

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When was Nantes founded?

Nantes was founded in 70 BC by the Namnetes, a Gaul tribe, and passed between Frankish, Breton, and Norman rule until it was claimed by the Duchy of Brittany in AD 937. Nantes remained the capital of Brittany until 1941, when it became part of the Loire-Atlantique department.

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Is Nantes worth visiting?

Yes, Nantes is one of France’s most dynamic and innovative cities, and it’s worth a visit to experience its Voyage à Nantes art trail and atmospheric Old Town. Where else can you ride a giant mechanical elephant, walk a medieval castle, take a river cruise, and go wine tasting in one day?

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