Nantes

Travel Guide

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

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

4.5/5(59 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Nantes Centre for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Place du Commerce and Place Royale. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Commerce Tram Stop.

Nantes Centre
Nantes featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Decré-Cathédrale

5/5(1 area review)

Historical 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

4/5(1 area review)

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
Default Image

Beaujoire

4/5(1 area review)

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.

Beaujoire

Madeleine-Champ de Mars

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

Madeleine-Champ de Mars
Default Image

Graslin - Commerce

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

Graslin - Commerce
Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Nantes
Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Nantes
4 out of 5
2 bis rue de Santeuil, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
The price is S$270 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
S$270
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (631 reviews)
"The staff and the room were wonderful"

Reviewed on 10 Jul, 2025

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Nantes
Hotel de la Cité
Hotel de la Cité
3 out of 5
9 Rue de Rieux, Nantes
The price is S$122 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
S$122
13 Aug - 14 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (339 reviews)
"A nice modern hotel All the staff spoke English The breakfast was excellent for the price."

Reviewed on 12 Jul, 2025

Hotel de la Cité
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
The price is S$96 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$96
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (567 reviews)
"Good cheap accommodation We had three rooms. One had a strong smell of curry, but apart from that it was fine."

Reviewed on 16 Jun, 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.
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! (195 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 13 Jul, 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! (567 reviews)
"Good cheap accommodation We had three rooms. One had a strong smell of curry, but apart from that it was fine."

Reviewed on 16 Jun, 2025

Comfort Aparthotel Nantes La Beaujoire
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! (656 reviews)
"perfect to spend a night in Nantes"

Reviewed on 3 Jun, 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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do