- Nantes was historically part of the Duchy of Brittany and is still frequently referred to as the capital of Brittany by locals, despite being administratively part of the Pays de la Loire region.
- The city is the birthplace of science fiction author Jules Verne, whose imaginative influence is evident in the local public art scene.
- During the 18th century, Nantes was the largest port in France, fueled heavily by the maritime trade that shaped the city's architectural landscape.
- The 'Voyage à Nantes' project is an annual summer event that transforms the urban layout with a permanent trail of public art installations.
About Nantes
Nantes is a former industrial port city on the Loire River, now a hub for avant-garde public art and mechanical engineering. The city is defined by the juxtaposition of its medieval history, epitomized by the Château des ducs de Bretagne, and its whimsical modern art installations. Visitors can explore the surreal contraptions at Les Machines de l'Île or enjoy the refined collections at the Musée d’arts de Nantes. Nantes serves as the gateway to the Loire Valley and remains one of France's primary centers for culture and aerospace technology.
Highlights of Nantes
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
See the iconic giant mechanical elephant that walks and sprays water through the shipyard area.
Historical places
Walk the ramparts of this 15th-century fortress that once served as the seat of the Dukes of Brittany.
Parks
Explore one of the oldest public botanical gardens in France, featuring rare camellias and 19th-century greenhouse architecture.
Parks
Visit this peaceful Japanese-style garden tucked away on an island in the Erdre River.
Museums
View a vast collection of fine arts ranging from the 13th to the 21st century housed in a neoclassical building.
Temples
Admire the Flamboyant Gothic architecture and the tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany.
Parks
Enjoy panoramic views of the Loire River from a former quarry turned into an expansive, lush public park.
Museums
Browse an extensive collection of specimens that highlights the region's historical connection to global exploration.
Top things to do in Nantes
The 348 highest-rated places in Nantes, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
Les Machines de l'Île is an artistic, mechanical attraction located in former shipyards in Nantes. It features a collect...
2
Historical places
The Château des ducs de Bretagne is a 15th-century fortress and residence located in the historic heart of Nantes. It se...
3
Parks
The Jardin des Plantes de Nantes is a 7-hectare 19th-century botanical garden located in the heart of Nantes. It maintai...
4
Zoos
Planète Sauvage is a 85-hectare safari park located in Port-Saint-Père, France, offering both a vehicle-based safari tra...
5
Parks
Île de Versailles is a 1.7-hectare artificial island located on the Erdre River in Nantes. Originally an island for tann...
6
Venues
Stade de la Beaujoire is the primary multi-purpose stadium in Nantes, serving as the long-term home ground for the profe...
7
Venues
Hellfest is one of the world's largest extreme music festivals, held annually in the town of Clisson, France. It hosts o...
8
Museums
The Musée d’arts de Nantes holds one of the most significant fine arts collections in France, spanning from the 13th cen...
9
Zoos
Espace Zoologique de La Boissière-du-Doré is a 25-hectare zoological park located in the Loire-Atlantique region of Fran...
10
Parks
Parc de Procé is an English-style landscaped park covering approximately 12 hectares in the northwest of Nantes. The cen...
11
Places of interest
Château Tiffauges is a medieval fortress in the Vendée department of France, recognized for housing the largest collecti...
12
Temples
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes is a Flamboyant Gothic cathedral characterized by its massive scale and...
13
Historical places
The Château de Clisson is a medieval fortress strategically situated on a granite promontory overlooking the confluence...
14
Parks
Parc du Grand Blottereau is the largest park in Nantes, covering 22 hectares on a hillside overlooking the Loire Valley....
15
Parks
Le Jardin Extraordinaire is a botanical park situated within a former Miséry granite quarry in the Chantenay district. T...
16
Parks
Parc de la Gaudinière is a 12-hectare English-style landscape garden located in the northern sector of Nantes. It is cen...
17
Museums
The Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Nantes is housed in a historic 19th-century building located in the city center. It h...
18
Zoos
Natural'Parc is an animal reserve and leisure destination located in the Orée d'Anjou region of France, specifically des...
19
Venues
Stereolux is a prominent contemporary music and digital arts venue located within the cultural complex of Les Machines d...
20
Parks
Parc Floral la Roseraie is a specialized horticultural site within the Parc de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France, primarily...
21
Places of interest
The Carrousel of the Marine Worlds is a monumental three-tiered mechanical sculpture standing 25 meters tall in Nantes....
22
Amusement parks
Parc des Naudières is a family-oriented amusement park located in Sautron, near Nantes, France. The park spans approxima...
23
Parks
The Parc des Chantiers is an urban park situated on the site of the former Dubigeon shipyards on the Île de Nantes. It s...
24
Museums
The Historial de la Vendée is a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the history of the Vendée region from prehistoric t...
25
Historical places
Logis de la Chabotterie is a 18th-century manor house located in the Vendée department, serving as the site where Genera...
26
Venues
Théâtre 100 Noms is a performance venue located within the Hangar à Bananes on the Île de Nantes. It specializes in cont...
27
Historical places
The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery is a subterranean monument located along the Loire River in Nantes, commemorati...
28
Temples
Basilique Saint-Nicolas is a significant neo-Gothic basilica located in the center of Nantes, designed by architect Jean...
29
Historical places
Domaine de la Garenne Lemot is a neoclassical estate overlooking the Sèvre Nantaise river, commissioned by sculptor Fran...
30
Museums
The Maillé-Brézé is a decommissioned Surcouf-class destroyer permanently moored on the Loire River in Nantes, serving as...
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Nantes on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Nantes
May to September, when the city's extensive park system, such as the Botanical Garden and Parc de Procé, is in full bloom and outdoor cultural programming is most active.
2-3 days, allowing enough time to explore the historic city center and take a day trip to the surrounding vineyards or the Loire estuary.
The city features a highly efficient integrated network of three tram lines, comprehensive bus routes, and a bike-share system, making it largely car-free friendly.
Stay in the Bouffay or Graslin districts for proximity to major historic sites and dining, or near the island of Nantes for a more contemporary industrial atmosphere.
Nantes is a mid-range destination where costs are generally lower than in Paris for dining and accommodation.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 348 curated attractions in and around Nantes, ranked by traveller ratings.
Les Machines de l'Île is the highest-rated place to visit in Nantes right now.
The largest category is venues, with 105 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Paris, Lyon, Lormont.
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