Nantes is a vibrant city full of art, culture and history! It’s a port city on the Loire River, less than an hour from the sea, making it a great place to visit all year round. This city (France’s sixth largest) seamlessly blends centuries-old architecture and cobbled streets with modern art installations.
In summer, Nantes comes alive with performances, concerts, public art with Le Voyage A Nantes and many cultural festivals such as the Folle Journée classical music festival.
Nantes walking tour
Get your bearings and get a full view of the city with a guided tour from Nantes Tourism or follow the Green Line on a self-guided walking tour of Nantes’ most famous sights.
La Civelle
Everything about La Civelle in Trentemoult is pleasing: it is on the banks of the Loire, well decorated and serves exquisite food. The menu is packed with fish, salmon, scallops, tiger prawns and beef fillet, and the wine list is impressive. Vincent Guerlais, a leading chocolatier in Nantes, has created desserts on the menu, including the decadent Bubble of Taste – rich layers of chocolate mousse on a crispy hazelnut base.
Ile de Nantes
The Isle of Nantes, just across the Loire, pays homage to the city’s industrial and maritime history while adding modern amenities.
Trentemoult
A quiet fishing village until the 19th century, Trentemoult has now become an artists’ enclave and one of the most colourful places in Nantes. The buildings are painted in bright colours and the houses are decorated with flowers and murals.
Talensac Market
Founded in 1937, the Talensac market is the oldest and largest market in Nantes; it’s full of local fruit, vegetables and meat. There is also a wide range of fresh fish and seafood. It’s open every day except Mondays, but there are no stalls. If you go, remember to bring a shopping bag.
Machines de l’lle
Machines de l’Ile is an exceptional artistic project. Born from the imagination of François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice, it’s a blend of the worlds of Jules Verne, the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci and the industrial history of Nantes.
The Great Elephant
This mechanical elephant stands 40 feet tall. When it moves, the 49 passengers feel as if they are on the 4th floor of a house. The elephant sprays water from its trunk when passers-by approach.
In the gallery you can see real plants and animals in the tree canopy; visitors can ride a giant insect if the timing is right. You may even see a giant spider emerge from the ground.
Carrousel des Mondes Marins
One of the most fascinating merry-go-rounds ever seen, the Carrousel des Mondes Marins has three levels representing the seabed, the water and the surface. At 25 metres high, the intricate design and architecture of this piece is well worth the ride.
Jardin Des Plantes
The Jardin Des Plantes is the perfect way to spend a sleepy Sunday when the rest of the city has shut down. This peaceful oasis features a collection of exotic plants, trees and vast green spaces. The gardens produce one million plants each year.
Rue Crebillon shopping
Rue Crebillon is Nantes’ most prominent shipping district, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of local retailers and designer shops. Work your way past these shops to the Passage Pommeraye, an impressive arcade built in 1843, with chic boutiques spread over three floors and adorned with Renaissance-style sculptures.
Bouffay Quarter
The Bouffay quarter retains much of its medieval character with narrow, winding streets and the few remaining 18th and 19th century timber-framed houses.
Pickles
If you’re near the Hotel de Ville, stop off at Pickles. Chef/owner Dominic Quirke knows the importance of fresh ingredients, and they don’t get any fresher than in Nantes. There is a fantastic prix fixe lunch that includes dishes such as Thonine fumee a Froid (tuna) and Tortellini Stilton Roquette. For dessert, homemade sorbets are served with fresh seasonal fruit.
Graslin Quarter
My hotel was in the poshest area of Nantes, the Graslin district. Buildings from the 1700s, mostly in original condition, are a marvel to behold. Be sure to stop by the Graslin Theatre or spend an afternoon window-shopping in the luxurious high-end boutiques.
Feydeau Quarter
The Feydeau Quarter is an elegant old quarter with an 18th-century feel, where slave traders once built luxurious mansions that began to crumble over time. Modern technology has helped to preserve the buildings, but they still have a distinct tilt.
Crêperie Heb Ken
Close to the Place Royale and one of the most popular creperies in the area. Queues form outside Creperie Heb Ken as they do every night and with an extensive menu there is an endless choice of crêpes. Popular are the local ciders served with the buckwheat crepes. Try the traditional ham and fried egg crepe, followed by a dessert crepe.
