Nantes is the 6th largest city in France, and is considered one of the most desirable places to live in France, especially for young professionals who enjoy the arts and don't want to live in Paris. For the traveler, this means the nightlife in Nantes is quite lively.
Nantes was historically part of Brittany, but now is the capital of the Pays de la Loire région of northwestern France. Nantes is located on the Loire river in France.
Nantes city center is composed of about a quarter million people, with almost 3/4 of a million people inhabiting the metropolitan area of Nantes.
Getting to Nantes
Nantes is served by many train lines, including the TGV line from Paris Montparnasse. There is an airport, Nantes Atlantique Airport. A shuttle connects the airport with the city center and Sud railway station, making the trip in about half an hour. There are a variety of hotels near the train station, backed by pleasant botanical gardens. Nantes has the largest and one of the longest-running tram systems in France.
Nantes Street Map
Getting Around
The historic center of Nantes is easily walkable, or, if your hotel is close to the train station, you can just hop a tram. The cost of a one-way tram ticket in 2025 is 1.66 euro The bargain may be in the 24 hour ticket for 4.20 euro.
Rental and Lease Cars: France offers an option to lease a brand new car with great insurance if you are staying three weeks or longer. Get a new car of your choosing.
Staying in Nantes
We stayed near the train station and botanical gardens of Nantes, a fine location if you like to dump your bags and head out to discover the treats of this fine riverside city.
Staying Near the Nantes Train StationIf you don't land near the train station, I highly recommend the Mercure Nantes Centre Passage Pommeraye (not so far from the Passage Pommeraye in the center of Nantes).
If you prefer an apartment in town or a rental in the countryside, try Vrbo Nantes Area Vacation Rentals.
Nearby Attractions
One of our favorite trips was lunch at La Cocotte in Verre on the Ile de Versailles, then a short walk to the docking station of the Bateux Nantais for a relaxing tour down the Erdre river, with its famous mansions on both sides and lots of folks enjoying the water on a summers afternoon. See our picture gallery for more.
- Nantes Cathedral Saints Peter and Paul - Begun in 1434, the Gothic cathedral wasn't finished until the end of the 19th century. After a 1972 fire the interior was restored. Inside the cathedral's 11th century crypt is a museum of religions.
- Château des ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) - Nantes' castle has recently undergone restoration, and is the second oldest building in Nantes after the Cathedral. The inner courtyard is built in the Renaissance style with blistering white tufa. The Nantes History Museum is inside. Nearby is the place du Commerce, a largely pedestrian area that offers a good array of restaurants. We enjoyed Le Petit Bacchus, in the shadow of the Chateau.
- Passage Pommeraye - a passage between two streets with different elevations, the rue Santeuil and rue de la Fosse, begun in 1840, now containing interesting shops and cafes.
- The Museum and the native house of Jules Verne - If you like the writing of Nantes own Jules Verne, don't miss the museum with mulimedia exhibits on the Butte Saint-Anne, 3, Rue de l'Hermitage in Nantes.
- Musée des Beaux-arts - The highly celebrated fine arts museum is built around an airy courtyard and features works ranging from the Italian Primitives to contemporary artists.
- La Tour LU (LU Tower) - a picturesque tower built in 1905 and restored in 1998 near the entrance of a former Lefevre-Utile biscuit factory. You can visit inside to see a panoramic view of Nantes.
- Ile de Versailles - an island you can easily reach on foot with a Japanese garden. You can also take boat rides down the Erdre river. See our picture galleries below for more.
Tours
If you'd rather leave the transportation and explanation to the experts, Viator offers a good assortment of tours of the area. See the Tours of Nantes.
Pictures of Nantes
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