Visit Nantes: 9 unmissable favorites and discoveries
Visit the castle of the Dukes of Brittany
Why not start your Nantes journey with one of its emblematic monuments? The grandeur of the castle of the Dukes of Brittany is breathtaking. A majestic building in Gothic and Renaissance style, witness to the fascinating history of Nantes. The residence of Duchess Anne of Brittany impresses with its massive ramparts, with which the whiteness of the tufa stone walls contrasts.
Enrich your knowledge at the Nantes History Museum
For some, visiting Nantes means knowing more about the city's past. Enthusiasts and the curious can thus satisfy their thirst for learning at the Nantes History Museum, where seven sequences recount the city's significant periods.
Get lost in the Bouffay district
Tourists naturally wonder which district to visit in Nantes. Embark on a leap into the past through the maze of alleys revealing the historic face of the city. Freestone buildings and half-timbered facades imbue the Bouffay district with a medieval atmosphere full of mystery. If the discovery of the heritage translates into busy days, the evenings remain no less thrilling at the tables of the many bars and restaurants.
Explore the botanical garden
Right in front of Hotel Sōzō is the beautiful Botanical Garden. A must when you set out to visit Nantes: a bucolic parenthesis carried by the scent of the 50,000 flowers planted each year. In the middle of the urban tumult, the invitation to relax and enjoy this green setting cannot be refused!
Follow the green line and the Voyage to Nantes
The famous green line drawn on the ground runs through the city. Follow her in search of dozens of contemporary works of art, historic buildings and heritage treasures. Throughout the Voyage à Nantes, the streets see the birth of temporary installations that surprise the public throughout the year.
Immerse yourself in the magical world of the Machines de l'Île
The island of Nantes hosts a small miracle: the meeting of Jules Vernes and Leonardo da Vinci through curious mechanical creatures. The giant elephant, the marine worlds carousel and the heron tree are among the enchanted machines that animate this extraordinary park, tinged with magic.
Discover the sumptuous Passage Pommeraye
What to visit in Nantes for free? Shopping, which onlookers like to practice within these walls, does not always rhyme with economy... On the other hand, the discovery of the Passage Pommeraye does not require a penny! Built in 1840, this essential place in Nantes amazes with its monumental staircase and its huge windows. You will find it between Place Graslin and Place Royale.
Admire the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul
Without leaving the city centre, the wonders of Nantes add up to a long list of treasures not to be missed. Another heritage gem rises majestically from its 500-year-old history: the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul.
Stroll along the banks of the Erdre
The green quays of the Erdre offer the ideal environment for contemplatives. Between strolls on foot or by bike and boat trips, time passes gently on the banks of this peaceful waterway. During a visit to Loire-Atlantique, take a break on one of the many barges converted into guinguettes in the summer!