
10 Best Things to Do in Nantes
What’s Nantes Most Famous For?
Nantes is the capital city of the Pays de la Loire Region in the west of France. It's a lively and pleasant city that offers a good range of things to see and do. The long history of the city has left many sites of historical importance to discover, and the industrious spirit of the inhabitants of Nantes makes the city in constant evolution.
Nantes is a city full of interesting landmarks like the castle and the cathedral, with plenty of trendy venues and technological fantasy to enjoy too. Besides its manmade attractions, Nantes is famous for its vineyards that produce Muscadet white wine. This pairs well with the seafood caught 60 km away on the Atlantic coast.
What are the best things to do in Nantes?
Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
Step into the history of Brittany

- Couples
- Families
- History
- Photo
Nantes’ most notable building is the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany). Located in the centre of the city, at walking distance from the train station, it’s a Renaissance-style fortress that houses an urban history museum. From genuine historical objects to modern multimedia installations, you’ll learn a lot about Nantes and the region, in a fun and educational way. The castle features 7 towers linked by a walkway that you can walk on. For additional fun, don't miss the slide going down the side of the castle.
Location: In the centre of Nantes
Open: Courtyard and rampart walk, daily from 8:30 am to 7 pm. Museum from 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Mondays.
Phone: +33 (0)2 43 48 19 19
photo by Otourly (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Passage Pommeraye
Explore an out-of-the-ordinary vintage shopping mall

- Shoppers
- Couples
- History
- Photo
- Luxury
Located in the heart of Nantes, in Rue de la Fosse, the Passage Pommeraye is a covered shopping street built in the mid-19th century. Designed in a classy Renaissance-style, it's classified as a historic monument, and is especially famous for its splendid marble staircases, statues and glass ceiling. The Passage Pommeraye hosts over 25 elegant stores on 3 floors of clothing, accessories, perfumes, jewellery. The boutiques are in line with the stylish atmosphere of the place.
Location: The Passage Pommeraye links La Fosse and Santeuil Streets in the centre of Nantes
Open: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
photo by François de Dijon (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Place du Bouffay
Hang around the oldest district of Nantes city centre

Bouffay is the oldest district of downtown Nantes. Located 250 metres west of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, this pedestrian area features many quaint streets and lanes that spread out from Place du Bouffay, a cobblestoned square that is a pleasant spot to have lunch or simply have a drink at one of the cafés and restaurants with outdoor terraces. Bouffay district is filled with boutiques selling all types of items, from clothing to shoes to mobile phones, and more.
Location: In the centre of Nantes, 250 metres west of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
photo by Pj44300 (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Talensac Market
Shop at a genuine French food market

Talensac is the main and largest market in Nantes. Located near the centre of the city, it hosts over 200 stalls in 3 separate sections: covered, semi-covered and open air. Here, you’ll find mostly anything from fresh vegetable and fruits to meat and fish to clothing and artisanal products. Sundays at Talensac Market are liveliest. Tourists and locals alike come here to purchase groceries and ready-to-eat goods from recognised food professionals.
Location: On Talensac Street, just north of the eastern end of Cours des 50 Otages
Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 7 am to 1.30 pm. Closed on Monday
photo by Ben Paulos (CC BY 2.0) modified
The Machines of the Isle of Nantes
Enter a world of dream and fantasy in a vintage shipyard

- Families
- Photo
- Unusual
Satisfy your inner-child with a visit to the Machines of the Isle of Nantes. Inspired by Jules Vernes’ novels, Leonardo Da Vinci’s visionary inventions and the industrial history of Nantes, this artistic and cultural project takes you to a true world of fantasy. The mechanical Great Elephant is the star of the place and the gallery of machines showcases a true bestiary of apparatus: giant mechanical spider, ant and heron, just to name a few. It’s best to pre-book the ride on the Great Elephant on the internet beforehand to avoid long queues.
Location: On Beaulieu Island in the centre of Nantes
Open: Nov - March from 2 pm to 6 pm; Apr - Oct from 10 am to 7 pm
photo by Duch (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Le Lieu Unique
Enjoy Nantes' national centre for contemporary arts

- Budget
- History
- Photo
Based in LU factory, an old famous biscuit factory, Le Lieu Unique is a complex that hosts Nantes’ national centre for contemporary arts. It’s a place where you can see all types of art, from live music concerts to theatre to literature to painting and more. In addition to the art exhibitions and events, Le Lieu Unique features a bar, a restaurant, a hammam, a day nursery, a bookstore and a gift shop. Blending cultures and styles, it’s a great place to meet people from all horizons in a cool venue.
Location: 300 metres west from Nantes train station’s south entrance
Open: from 12 pm to 7 pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday
Phone: +33 (0)2 40 12 14 34
photo by Erwan Corre (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Jardin des Plantes
Take a stroll in Nantes' Botanical Garden

- Couples
- Families
- Budget
The Jardin des Plantes is a green oasis next to the train station’s north entrance in the heart of Nantes. The botanical garden covers an area of over 70,000 sq m which includes 800 sq m of greenhouses that contain an outstanding collection of African and Asian orchids. With over 11,000 species of plants and flowers displayed between waterways and ponds, as well as beautiful statues, fountains and a large children’s playground, Jardin des Plantes offers a peaceful place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Nantes city centre.
Location: Opposite Nantes train station’s north entrance
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 5.15 pm
Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul
Visit the largest religious building in Nantes

- Couples
- Budget
- History
- Photo
Nantes cathedral is a splendid Flamboyant Gothic landmark located near the centre of the city, 150 metres north of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Started during the 15th century, it was achieved at the end of the 19th century. Apart from its outstanding size and architecture, the 2 things you should not miss when you visit Nantes Cathedral are the splendid tomb of Francois II and Marguerite de Foix, the parents of Anne of Brittany, and the 11th-century crypt which houses a permanent exhibition about the history of the cathedral.
Location: 150 metres north of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
Open: In winter from 8.30 am to 6 pm and in summer from 8.30 am to 7 pm.
La Comédie des Vins
Discover local labels in a cool wine bar

- Food
- Couples
Nantes region is reputed for producing light-bodied and crisp white wines such as Muscadet and Gros Plant. A pleasant venue to sample these regional labels is La Comédie des Vins, Rue Suffren in the centre of Nantes. Unpretentious and often busy, this wine bar has an impressive choice of top-notch wines on offer. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate, and you can accompany your wine degustation with a plate of tapas or cheese.
Location: Rue Suffren, a stroll away from Place Graslin in the centre of Nantes
Open: Tuesday-Saturday from 6 pm to 11.45 pm; closed on Sundays and Mondays
Phone: +33 (0)2 40 73 11 68
La Cigale
Feast on seafood in a historic monument

- Food
- Couples
- History
- Luxury
La Cigale is one of the longest-established restaurants in Nantes and it’s classified as a historic monument for its Art Nouveau architecture and décor dated back to the year it opened, in 1895. Located on Place Graslin, in the centre of Nantes, you can sample a wide variety of classic French dishes at La Cigale, including fresh seafood from the Atlantic Ocean which lies 60 kilometres away. From scallop to oyster and from langoustine to cod, the selection is top-notch, and even more appreciated when accompanied by a glass of local Muscadet wine.
Location: Place Graslin, in the centre of Nantes
Open: Daily from 7.30 am to 12.30 am
Phone: +33 (0)2 51 84 94 94
photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra (CC BY 2.0) modified
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