Nantes

DESTINATIONS france nantes

Nantes

Playful and creative, vibrant and young, Nantes has been literally turned upside down by art! Located in the south of Brittany, the city is just 45 minutes away from the Atlantic Ocean. Visit its magnificent castle of the dukes of Brittany, follow the footsteps of Jules Verne (born in Nantes) and ride on the Grand Elephant at Les Machines de l’île. Stroll in the medieval quarter, enjoy a collection of contemporary artworks displayed in the city and along the estuary of the Loire river !

The City Events Accommodation

The City

France’s sixth-largest city, lies on the Loire estuary in the west of France, some 50 km from the coast. A former commercial and maritime centre of Brittany, the city boats a strong historical and cultural heritage. Nantes was the capital of the independent Duchy of Brittany back in the Middle Ages and came to be a key trading port in the 18th century, thanks to its strategic position at the Loire, Erdre and Sevre rivers. Today, the city remains a prosperous and popular part of Western France. Its impressive Castle of the dukes of Brittany, the cobbled streets and the charming half-timbered houses in the medieval Bouffay quarter still remind visitors of Nantes’ glamorous past, but the city has more to offer than just history. It boasts a lively art scene, a strong culinary background as well as a thriving nightlife. Live performances, exhibitions, concerts and tourist attractions interact with an original and coherent offer. The figureheads of these numerous suggestions are: the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and the Machines de l’île.

Events

A port-town, a student-town, a cultural and friendly place to be, Nantes rarely goes to sleep at the end of the day. Night-time activities light up the town. Theatre or opera, cinema, concerts, dance shows or circus, night-time exhibitions, festivals and all sorts of events in and around Nantes sowing the seeds for an exciting night out. Even well into the night the lights don’t dim, as Nantes is a port-town…

Accommodation

With clients’ comfort always on their minds, many local hoteliers frequently undertake renovation programmes. There has been a rise in the number of new hotels all authentic and unique. Eco friendly quality marks distinguish the products and services that respect the environment the most.

Do & See Dining Cafes Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

The green line painted on the ground will take you to the heart of downtown and make sure you won’t miss out on any of Le Voyage à Nantes itinerary of the city’s best cultural stops, major monuments and must-visit sites. Each year, this trail is revived and filled with contemporary installations, street furniture where you can sit down with friends, and even more surprising shop signs throughout the city.

Machines de l’Ile

The Machines de l’Ile is an artistic, touristic and cultural site in Nantes since 2007. Three major artworks, the Great Elephant (2007), the Merry Go Round of the Marine Worlds (2012), and the next project of the Heron Tree symbolise doors to the world of dreams and magical journeys. A mixture between the …

Château des ducs de Bretagne

The Castle of the dukes of Brittany houses the Nantes History Museum. This former ducal palace also holds temporary exhibitions and cultural events all year round. A free-access rampart offers many viewpoints of the fortress and of the …

Musée d'arts

Renovated and extended in June 2017, the Fine Arts Museum has been renamed the Musée d’arts . Steered by the Stanton-Williams Agency (Royal National Theatre, Tower of London, Belgrade Theatre, etc…), it houses a total of 17,000 m2, several exhibition halls and an auditorium. A key change is a 30% increase in …

Memorial to the abolition of slavery

Nantes was the capital of the slave trade in France: it organised 43% of the French slave trade shipments in the XVIII century. The City wants to assume its past and give shape to the memory via a powerful political gesture. The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery in Nantes is the biggest in …

Jardin des Plantes

Visit the botanical garden, a priceless collection of exotic plants. Trees from America, Asia and Africa.Nantes boasts 1,000 hectares of green areas open to the public, with some 1 million plants produced every …

Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul Cathedral

Cathedral closed following a fire in July 2020. This impressive cathedral is home to the tombs of Francois II, the last Duke of Brittany, and his second wife Marguerite de Foix. Construction of the Gothic building started in 1434 and lasted for four …

Lieu Unique

Located alongside the Canal Saint-Felix, the old biscuit factory LU revamped by the architect Patrick Bouchain lives to the rhythm of an atypical art centre: the Lieu Unique. Here, you will find a bar, a shop, a theatre, a hammam, a day nursery and the picturesque tower of the old LU biscuit …

Ile de Nantes

Formerly occupied by the shipyards (closed in 1987) and by industries, this area is in complete rehabilitation and finds some harmony between the conservation of industrial heritage and the development of a new modern space. The Isle of Nantes is a perpetually changing area with contemporary architecture. On both sides of this territory perched …

Estuaire Nantes <> Saint-Nazaire

All year long, from Nantes to Saint Nazaire it's an open air art collection. Each creation, signed by an internationally renowned artist leads you to an atypical place or to a remarkable site of the estuary of the Loire river. Since 2007, over 33 artworks have now been the stones of a monument scattered …

Théâtre Graslin

Built in 1788, the Graslin Theater is an impressive building with an entrance boasting eight Corinthian columns and marble, gold and royal blue velvet inside. It is home to the Opera of Nantes and marks the focal point of the Place Graslin. The famous brasserie La Cigale is in front of …

Musée Jules Verne

The museum inside this great bourgeois mansion depicts the life and works of writer Jules Verne (born in Nantes in 1828), one of Nantes’ most famous …

Planétarium

Embark on a voyage through space as the planetarium brings our universe to life. Located near the Jules Verne …

Discover the Nantes vineyard

The Muscadet vineyards are just a stone-throw away and are easily accessible from Nantes. A special itinerary has been put in place to make the most of what this authentic region can offer: visit of Clisson, a lovely city with Italian-style architecture, wine tasting and specific viewpoints. Discover the new belvedere in Chateau …

Cruise on the Loire river "Estuaire Nantes-Saint Nazaire"

Take advantage of a river cruise to reach the point where the Loire runs into the ocean and see the estuary from the unique viewpoint of… the river: working docks, remarkable natural areas, and the Estuaire art installations communicating with their surroundings. Embark on a colourful rhythmic night time river cruise from July to …

Guided Tours

Pre-recorded audio-guide all year long Possibility for 4 different trails translated in 5 langages (French, English, German, Spanish, Italian) to discover Nantes. Strolling Nantes Nantes in the middle ages Nantes from history to memory The isle of Nantes Western …

Shop Signs

Since 2014, artists have been commissioned to imagine the signs for a series of shops in Nantes. Along the green line, discover this collection of shop signs. Like unexpected apparitions, these artists' works disturb the continuum of signs in the downtown streets of …

Dining

The area boasts some of France’s finest produce, recipes and wines. Wherever you go, seafood, straight out of the Atlantic, is on the menu. Want a simple grilled fish? Eat it with a beurre blanc sauce, created right here in town and surroundings. Need a pinch of sea salt? The very best comes from Guérande. This is also France’s kitchen garden, producing flavourful, tender vegetables. Partner it all with a glass of Muscadet, the local white wine that goes so well with oysters or fish, mussels or crab. Award-winning winemakers and chefs guarantee memorable meals.

Roza*

The location (across from the Natural History Museum’s entrance and tree-lined square) could not be more ideal for this up-and-coming restaurant run by the intrepid young chef Jean-François Pantaléon. With his extensive experience in some of the greatest kitchens (La Mare aux Oiseaux, La Duchesse Anne, La Grande Cascade, Le Meurice, Apicius) and his …

Pickles

This brilliant neo-bistro lives up to its word-of-mouth reputation. Run by an English chef, Dominic Quirke cooks local and ethnic dishes, made with great precision, often unexpected, and all served in a relaxed and contemporary space. Label Rouge salmon, miso, cucumber pickles, horseradish yogurt, nori; lean roast beef, pan-fried young greens, sesame rice, chestnut …

Little Atlantic Brewery

In the heart of the Docks of Chantenay of Nantes, in this building loaded with the naval and cultural history of the neighborhood (Chantier de l'Esclain, Bloc 13, Atelier du Dahu…), people meet to have a drink with friends, eat a piece with family, Enjoy diverse cultural programming. Or simply stroll along the Loire. …

Le Manoir de la Régate*

Backed by his sister Anne-Charlotte in the dining room, Mathieu Pérou took over from his father as head of this family restaurant and skilfully enchants delights diners with the products of his terroir (fish from the river Erdre, seaweed from the Le Croisic, wild plants), through a gastronomic cuisine of great finesse. The chef …

L'Atlantide 1874* - Maison Guého

This famous, award-winning restaurant is considered to be one of the best in town. Chef Jean-Yves Gueho is well-known for creating innovative dishes, such as lobster salad with yellow wine sauce. 1 star Michelin. Possibility to sleep on the spot with 4 rooms with the view on the Loire …

La Cigale

Considered as one of the most beautiful brasserie in France since the 19th century. La Cigale is a good place for oysters and offers some mouth-watering desserts.The place to …

Lulu Rouget*

Ludovic Pouzelgues, aka Lulu Rouget, had held every position at l’Atlantide (including pastry chef), was trained by chocolatier-pâtissier Vincent Guerlais, before joining the staff at Maison Troisgros in Roanne. Thanks to this exceptional experience, his personality expresses itself today through a true cuisine d’auteur (different everyday!) praising the ocean’s riches to high heaven. His …

Les Chants d'Avril

An almost religious attachment to quality produce, technical cooking methods and a Mystery Prix-fixe menu are the foundations of this delicious haunt. The chef, Christophe François, took over this Nantes …

Crêperie Heb Ken

In the shopping area, have a traditional crepe or a galette.Not far from the famous Place …

La Civelle

Everything is perfect, decoration, food and the location, on the bank of Loire. A reference in Nantes! On the other side of the river Loire, take the ferry, in 10 minutes you will be …

Lamaccotte

Near the cathedral, Maxime Bocquier cooks with local products. To discover …

Le Petit Boucot

Situated near the theatre Graslin, the restaurant owned by young chef Frédéric Chiron is recommended by Gilles …

Villa Mon Rêve

Based inside a charming 19th-century villa with a large garden, chef Jérôme Ponchelle's menu boats delicious fresh fish and seafood as well as French …

L’Abelia

Housed in an immaculate stone mansion, dating from 1900, L’Abelia serves fine, traditional French cuisine peppered with modern touches, including sea bass in foamed cream sauce, and a crème brulée to die for. Fresh food from the day …

Cafes

The city offers many places to relax and where you can have a break around a coffee and Nantes‘ sweetmeats like BN or biscuits LU, “berlingot” and “rigolette” sweets, butter-scotch caramels, “fouace” starshaped sweet bread, Nantes cake, chocolates, coffee…

Le Select

After a visit in the castle of the Dukes of Brittany nearby, enjoy having a rest in this tiny art deco place, where you can eat …

Le Bar du Coin

This ’corner bar’ in the heart of the medieval Bouffay quarter is where most Nantais nights out get …

Café Le Flesselles

This bar organises events calles "cafés philo" to discuss on philosophy, around a …

Restaurant café de l’Orangerie

Located in the Jardin des Plantes, enjoy a nice time on the terrace which enjoys breathtaking views over the garden and …

Bars & Nightlife

Nantes has a thriving and young nightlife, thanks largely to its growing student population. Whether you are looking for an arty bar to discuss philosophy with like-minded people, or if you just fancy bogeying all night long – Nantes has something for everyone.

Quartier Bouffay

West of the Cathedral lies the historic medieval quarter of Bouffay, which has retained much of its old charm. A stroll alongside the cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses – some dating back to the 15th century – feels like a jump in time back to the Middle Ages. The place to have a drink …

Hangar à bananes

Addresses of bars and ideas to go out, have a drink, go to concerts and dance in this new part of Nantes, west part of the isle of Nantes, near the Buren art rings.The place to have fun with friends until the end of the …

Le bar du Lieu Unique

Housed in the former LU biscuit factory since the 1st January 2000, the “lieu unique” is a friendly, cultural melting pot, ripe for artistic exploration. It is a place of coming together and as well as its own dedicated creative spaces there are a number of retail activities including: bar, restaurant, bookshop, steam room, …

La Maison Café

A café/bar in the design of a 1970s house, with a large terrace for the hot summer evenings. Come here to sip a glass of wine on the living room sofa or inside the …

Stereolux

Part of La Fabrique on the Île de Nantes, Stereolux is an arts and culture project focused on contemporary musics and digital creation. It stands next to Les Nefs of Les Machines de l'île, not far from the city centre, in a neighbourhood it shares with other cultural projects, together with higher education institutions, …

Café Cult’

Squeezed inside a darkened half-timbered house and hung with local art, this bohemian place draws a student crowd and sometimes hosts concerts. During the day it serves mega cheap but palate-pleasing …

John McByrne

A traditional Irish pub in the heart of Bouffay quarter. In addition to the classical drinks list you will find at the John Mc Byrne a large variety of beers and …

Shopping

If you like shopping, you will love Nantes ! When people go window-shopping, they talk about "crébillonner" – which comes from Rue Crébillon – the city’s most famous shopping street and its area. Rue Crébillon houses the most important designer stores as well as a range of interesting local labels. The street leads to the famous Passage Pommeraye, a stunning 19th-century arcade with chic boutiques: a must-see for Nantes visitors. Don’t miss the Marché de Talensac on Place de Talensac, which is the town’s biggest market – open every day except Monday. Bargain-hunters should go to the shops on Rue Jean Jaurès and around Place Viarme, where the city’s flea market kicks off every Saturday morning.