Located on the Loire River, Nantes is a fantastic city that is simply heaving with the most exceptional sightseeing and cultural opportunities. Small enough to enjoy over a long weekend – but big enough to keep you entertained for much longer if you’ve got the time to spare – it’s the type of city that you could visit again and again, without ever getting bored. If you’re wondering what the best things to see and do in Nantes are, we’ve got the answers in our nifty Nantes city guide!
Children love Aire de Jeux, a magical garden in the heart of Nantes.
Talk a walk
Love art? Love exploring a city on foot? Then Nantes is your ideal destination. And one of the best things to do in Nantes is to follow a simple 7.5mile green line that’s painted throughout the city and beyond. Why is that? Because it is on this green line that you’ll find numerous art installations – lots and lots of them. This is based on a year-round art festival (also known as Le Voyage à Nantes) during which artists are invited to create immense works that are free to see – and in many cases, the public are encouraged to climb, jump, bounce, dance and pose on them! The perfect example of this is the Aire de Jeux garden which hosts imaginative creations from Kinya Maruyama. Expect a giant smoking dragon that doubles up as a playground, plus imaginative beasts that beg to be clambered on!
Les Anneaux de Buren is one of Nantes’ permanent art installations.
See more art
Nantes’ love affair with art doesn’t end there, as while many exhibits change over the course of the year, others are more permanent. Over 60miles of estuary, ‘Estuaire’ offers 33 works of art that are once again free to visit. A floating/sinking house, a house sitting atop a tower, a giant sea serpent and a massive concrete foot on the beach are just some of the unusual installations you can expect. Set aside a full day to find and admire these works of art, as many of them will take you out of the centre of the city, so a little forward-planning is essential.
If you haven’t got time to explore beyond the city confines, then Les Anneaux de Buren is a must-see. Located at the old docks, this illuminated line of circles is incredibly popular both during the day and at night-time.
The heron is a work of art in its own right.
Explore Les Machines de l’île…
One of the best things to see and do in Nantes is the wondrous Les Machines de l’île, which is located on an island in the heart of the city. This is a magical playground for all ages, featuring a gallery of mechanical creations, such as a sloth (that moves at a sloth-like pace), a heron with an 8‑metre wingspan, a moving spider and an alarmingly giant ant – and that’s just for starters. Fluttering butterflies, a beautiful hummingbird and lots more populate this immersive workshop.
See the Grand Éléphant amble around the dockyard.
… and ride on a giant elephant
Look beyond the gallery and you’ll find the three-tier water-themed Carrousel des Mondes, though many come to the island to see the Grand Éléphant. At 12metres high and 21 metres long, this giant mechanical elephant ambles around the old dockyards, spraying passers-by with water – which is bliss on a hot day. Many choose to admire the elephant from outside, but you can buy a ticket to take a 30-minute ride on this incredible steel and wood beast.
For a high-end shopping experience, explore Passage Pommeraye.
Go shopping
Nantes is home to many of the better-known department stores and brands, but it’s Passage Pommeraye that really steals the show. This covered passage boasts a glass ceiling, marble staircases and plenty of flamboyant touches, so you won’t be surprised to hear that many of the resident shops are luxe boutiques and high-end bakeries. There’s something for every budget here, as you could treat yourself to anything from a beautiful leather handbag to a decadent slice of gâteau! Alternatively, head to Telensac Market to discover the exceptional seafood stalls, or mooch around Marché de Basse-Indre on a Sunday morning.
Jardin des Plantes boasts 1000s of flower species.
Find some green space
The Jardin des Plantes is a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of Nantes. With African and Asian orchids housed in expansive greenhouses, tens of thousands of species of plants, a lovely café and a great children’s play area, it’s very easy to lose several hours here. But what really sets this park apart is its imaginative displays – keep an eye out for dreamlike furniture and characters who are made out of the foliage!
The bell tower at Sainte Croix.
Enjoy Nantes’ history
It goes without saying that you should make the time to really enjoy Nantes’ rich history and lovely architecture. Place de Bouffay is a great starting point, as this pedestrianised area is Nantes’ oldest district. While away a few hours exploring the myriad of alleyways and lanes, and enjoy a spot of people-watching at one of the many restaurants or cafes in Place Royale. You’ll also find the impressive Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in the area, which has stained glass windows dating from the 1500s, while the bell-tower at Sainte Croix church is simply stunning.
If you’re a fan of France’s epic châteaus, then look no further than Château des ducs de Bretagne which is an impressive Renaissance-style 13th century fortress. Today, the château houses a multimedia urban history museum that documents five centuries of Nantes life. With 7 towers, visitors can walk around the ramparts for exceptional views over the city, before enjoying a picnic in the grassy moat.
