Nantes Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Nantes showing heritage elements

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.

Where to stay in Nantes

Nantes featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Nantes Centre

5/5(3 area reviews)

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

Nantes Centre
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Ile de Nantes Palais des Congrès

5/5(2 area reviews)

Ile de Nantes Palais des Congrès is noteworthy for its river views, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Machines of the Isle of Nantes and Centre Commercial Beaulieu.

Ile de Nantes Palais des Congrès
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Beaujoire

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
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Nantes Sud

Travellers enjoy Nantes Sud for its restaurants, and if you want to see some more of the area, you can jump on the metro at Clos Toreau Tram Stop.

Nantes Sud

Hauts-Paves - Saint-Felix

Hauts-Paves - Saint-Felix is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Les Machines de l'Île de Nantes and Ile de Versailles.

Hauts-Paves - Saint-Felix
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Nantes Erdre

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.

Nantes Erdre
Hotel de la Cité
Hotel de la Cité
9 Rue de Rieux, Nantes
The price is AU$144 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
AU$144
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Le Lieu Unique and Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
"Excellent place. Great friendly staff"

Reviewed on 8 Jan. 2024

Hotel de la Cité
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 AU$169 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$169
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (391 reviews)
great hotel for solo traveller
"small friendly hotel. Staff always helpful lovely food-especially the croque madame!"

Reviewed on 8 Mar. 2024

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Nantes
OKKO Hotels Nantes Château
OKKO Hotels Nantes Château
4 out of 5
15 bis rue de Strasbourg, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
The price is AU$156 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$156
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (948 reviews)
"아름다운도시 좋은분위기 주차가 불편했어요"

Reviewed on 19 Mar. 2024

OKKO Hotels Nantes Château
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.
Appart'City Confort Nantes Cité des Congrès
Appart'City Confort Nantes Cité des Congrès
3 out of 5
2 rue Emile Masson (acces rue Foure), Nantes, Loire-Atlantique
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Le Lieu Unique and Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (42 reviews)
"The staff made the experience great. The Hotel is designed for anonymous stay. Imagine business people in town for a few days, weeks or month. Small fridge dishwasher, stove top. The front staff make it personable always with a smile always very helpful."

Reviewed on 10 Dec. 2023

Appart'City Confort Nantes Cité des Congrès
Odalys City Nantes Cité des Congrès
Odalys City Nantes Cité des Congrès
6, place Clémence Lefeuvre, Nantes
Stay at this aparthotel in Nantes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Centre Commercial Beaulieu and Le Lieu Unique are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (309 reviews)
"The Hotel was close to the city and shopping center. But it was really complicated to park, and the evening staff was not really friendly and helpful. No clear instructions for the laundry room, so we didn’t find it."

Reviewed on 5 May 2023

Odalys City Nantes Cité des Congrès
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, and room service. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (560 reviews)
"Great facility with heartwarming staff. Highly recommend it."

Reviewed on 19 Mar. 2024

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.

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