Best Things To Do in Nantes, France

Are you looking for what to do in Nantes?

PLACES TO SEE

  • Les Machines de I’lle de Nantes (The Machines de I’lle): If you are looking for innovative tourist sites in Nantes, you cannot give a miss to Les Machines de I’lle de Nantes. It is the quirkiest sight, taking you to a journey to a future world. All thanks goes to the makers, Francois Delaroziere (La Machine) and Pierre Orefice (Manas association), who had such an innovative idea to re-create a warehouse of a former shipyard into a magnificent artistic park.
  • Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne: Musee d Histoire de Nantes – Located in the historical center of Nantes, this castle is considered as the important building of the city. It is a fortress of 500 meter tall with curtain walls, divided by seven towers linked by a sentry walk. In the interior, a huge courtyard with a 15th century ducal residence, build in gothic architectural style welcomes you. At present, the castle houses the Urban History Museum of Nantes.
  • Jardin des plantes de Nantes: It is the earliest municipal botanical garden, built in the middle of 18th century. Taking a tour within the garden will let you meet with 11,000 species planted within a web of ponds, paths and waterways, decorated with artificial mountains, statues and fountains.
  • Cathedral Saint-Peter-and-Saint-Paul (Cathedral St-Pierre et St-Paul): It is a Gothic Roman cathedral, and considered as one of the last French Gothic Cathedral that exists till date. So, it is one of the important tourist attractions of Nantes which you cannot give a miss. According to the history, it took around 457 years to complete the construction of this cathedral.
  • La Maille-Breze: It is the first naval museum since 1988, afloat in France.It was previously a merchant ship which has now been turned into a museum. On board, you can see all the ship’s equipments, weapons and motors. 

THINGS TO DO

  • In your itinerary list, include Le Passage Pommeraye. It is the oldest shopping arcade in Nantes.

Below we have a list of things to do in Nantes and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Nantes getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Nantes with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Nantes

Here is the list of things to do in Nantes and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Musee Des Beaux-arts De Nantes

    Art Museum, Museum

    Also known as Fine Arts Museum of Nantes, is an art museum, built in 1801. It holds some of the finest piece of French paintings in its sumptuous gallery. Along with these paintings, you also get to see other artworks made by Georges de la Tour, Chagall, Monet, Picasso and Kandinsky as well. However, the museum was closed for renovation since 2011 and was recently reopened in 2013. At present, ...Read more
  2. Les Machines De L'ile De Nantes

    Amusement Park, Entertainment

    If you are looking for innovative and unique tourist sites, you cannot give a miss to Les Machines de I’lle de Nantes. It is the quirkiest sight of Nantes, taking you to a journey to a future world. All thanks goes to the makers, Francois Delaroziere (La Machine) and Pierre Orefice (Manas association), who had such an innovative idea to re-create a warehouse of a former shipyard into a ma...Read more
  3. Jardin Des Plantes

    4.7 (469 Votes)
    Jardin Des Plantes

    Garden, Botanical Garden

    It is a municipal botanical garden, built in the middle of 18th century. According to history, this garden is said to be the earliest botanical garden of the city. Taking a tour within the garden will let you meet with 11,000 species planted within a web of ponds, paths and waterways, decorated with artificial mountains, statues and fountains. Don’t miss out the Greenhouse within the park...Read more
  4. Memorial De L'abolition De L'esclavage

    Memorial

    The French memorial is solely dedicated to the abolition of Slave trade in Nantes. The city council decided to build it on 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. The exhibition within the memorial displays the history of salve trade, including shipments of Nantais in 18th century.
  5. Cathedrale De Saint-pierre Et Saint-paul

    Art And Culture, Church, Religious Site

    It is a Gothic Roman cathedral, and considered as one of the last French Gothic Cathedral that exists till date. So, it is one of the important tourist attractions of Nantes which you cannot give a miss. According to the history, it took around 457 years to complete the construction of this cathedral. You can make out from the exterior and interior look of the cathedral that how much pain had b...Read more
  6. Lieu Unique

    4.2 (322 Votes)
    Lieu Unique

    Art And Culture

    It is a typical art center with a bar, a restaurant and LU Tower and a shop and is situated in the former premise of the LU biscuit. People usually visit this place to watch theatre. If you are interested in theatre, you can pay a visit to this place. After the theatre, the bar and restaurant is where you can spend some more time.
  7. Le Passage Pommeraye

    4.6 (399 Votes)
    Le Passage Pommeraye

    Landmark, Mall, Shopping Center

    It was inaugurated in 1843, under the rule of King Louis Phillipe, the last, this passage was named after a lawyer, Louis Pommeraye. He wanted to transform the infamous and underdeveloped neighborhood into a developed shopping passage. The construction is said to have lasted for 3 years. Soon, with the passing time, the passage turned into a shopping arcade. A tour inside the arcade will let yo...Read more
  8. Place Du Bouffay

    Outdoors, Historical Site, Town, Architecture

    Place du Bouffay is located right at the center of Nantes, in Bouffay district. Bouffay district is said to be popular because of its historical past and when it comes to a tour to this district, this Place is considered as the starting point. It was once a courtyard and the first fortress of Bouffay. However, with the removal of the Duke reign, the place got turned into a market and the theate...Read more
  9. Le Parc De Proce

    Park

    It is a nice old fashioned family park where you can stroll for sometime. The park also has a café housed in a mansion, which was originally built in late 18th century by Mayor of Saint-Pere-en-Retz. Spring is considered as the best time to visit this place. However, you cannot give a miss to the streams of Chezan, dahlias and fuchsias in summer.
  10. Jules Verne Museum

    3.6 (225 Votes)
    Jules Verne Museum

    Museum

    This museum is dedicated to the French writer Jules Verne. Housed in a late 19th century old beautiful building, the museum is located just near the Loire River. The white façade of the buildings sparkles because of the light coming from the south and get reflected on the river flowing by. The magnificent Moorish arches above the windows and doors make the building more attractive. A tou...Read more
  11. Chateau Des Ducs De Bretagne

    Castle, Architecture

    Located in the historical center of Nantes, this castle is considered as the important building of the city. From the exterior, it is a fortress of 500 meter tall with curtain walls, divided by seven towers linked by a sentry walk. A step into the interior, welcomes you with a huge courtyard with a 15th century ducal residence, build in gothic architectural style. The white stone walls and clas...Read more
  12. Island Of Versailles

    4.5 (337 Votes)
    Island Of Versailles

    Island

    It is a man-made island, highly inspired by the achievements of the Japanese architects. It was created by restoring a natural landscape. Things to see: Maple and pine trees pruned cloud. Dry garden at the center of tea house. Aquarium fish of Erdre House. A walk along the Erdre.
  13. La Maille-breze

    Specialty Museum

    It is the first naval museum since 1988, afloat in France. As the history says, the city Nantes was born and grew surrounding the river. Moreover, in the latter half of the 18th century, Nantes has been the leading manufacturer of merchant ships. In order to preserve this rich heritage, this museum was built. It was previously a merchant ship which has now been turned into a museum. on board, y...Read more
  14. Musee Naval Le Maille Braize

    Museum, Educational Site, Specialty Museum

    It is the first naval museum since 1988, afloat in France. As the history says, the city Nantes was born and grew surrounding the river. Moreover, in the latter half of the 18th century, Nantes has been the leading manufacturer of merchant ships. In order to preserve this rich heritage, this museum was built. It was previously a merchant ship which has now been turned into a museum. on board, y...Read more
  15. Musee Thomas Dobree

    Museum

    It is a museum of art and archeology, located in the Western part of the Graslin district. It was given by Thomas Dobree. However, now the museum belongs to the Conseil general de la Loire-Atlantique. During spring and summer, the museum holds various events, like the night of museums, The Archaeology Days, Heritage Days and so on. According to the current record, the museum has over 135,000 ar...Read more