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Destination or Hotel
Departure Airport
Travel Dates
Nights
Guests
A city break with French flair and a twist of the unexpected. It's stylish, it's arty, and it's packed with personality – Nantes is one French city you won’t want to overlook.
Highlights
🐘 Les Machines de l’île – Ride a 12-metre-tall mechanical elephant through a steampunk fantasyland.
🏰 Château des Ducs de Bretagne – A fairytale castle slap-bang in the middle of the city.
🎨 Art and creativity everywhere – From street murals to world-class galleries and riverside installations.
🍷 Gastronomic delights – Think buttery galettes, seafood fresh off the Atlantic, and crisp Muscadet wines.
Getting around
Nantes is super easy to explore – compact, walkable, and well-connected. The city’s public transport system, TAN, includes trams, buses, and even a little ferry to hop across the river. If you're staying central, most major sights are within walking distance, and there’s a handy bike-share scheme (Bicloo) if you fancy pedalling between croissants. For trips further out – say to the Atlantic coast or vineyards – there are direct regional train routes and car hire options too. Oh, and from the airport? Just 20 minutes by shuttle. Easy peasy.
Things to do for families in Nantes
If you're travelling with kids, Nantes is basically a playground disguised as a city. Start with the jaw-dropping Les Machines de l’île, where little (and big) ones can hop aboard mechanical animals, watch creators at work, and take a ride on a fantastical carousel of marine beasts. Just across the river, the Ile de Versailles is a peaceful Japanese-style garden perfect for picnic breaks and a breather from sightseeing.
Then there’s the Jardin des Plantes, a botanical garden with giant cartoon-style plant sculptures and quirky play areas. If you've got time, swing by the Natural History Museum – small, but stuffed with animal skeletons, fossils, and all the science-y bits that keep young minds buzzing. Oh, and when tummies start rumbling? There are plenty of family-friendly bistros and creperies with menus that keep even the fussiest little eaters happy.
Things to do for couples in Nantes
Fancy a city break with a splash of romance? Nantes serves it up with French finesse. Start with a wander through the historic centre – cobbled streets, pastel townhouses, and cosy wine bars in the Bouffay district set the scene for a dreamy day. The Château des Ducs de Bretagne offers castle views and hand-holding strolls around the moat (it’s allowed – encouraged, even). For a quirkier date, hop on the Navibus for a river cruise or rent a tandem bike and follow the green line – a painted trail that winds through the city’s coolest art spots.
Come evening, grab a drink at Le Nid, a rooftop bar shaped like a bird’s nest (because of course it is), with sweeping views and a very Insta-worthy sunset. Then settle in for a candlelit dinner in one of the city’s tucked-away brasseries – think duck confit, Loire wines, and dreamy desserts that make sharing optional (but recommended).
Things to do for groups in Nantes
Bringing the whole gang? Nantes knows how to show your squad a good time. Kick things off with a group ride on the giant Grand Éléphant – the laughs (and selfies) are guaranteed. Then get competitive at Escape Hunt, a slick escape room experience with themes like Sherlock Holmes and time travel. Feeling artsy? Head to the Hab Galerie on the riverfront or follow the Voyage à Nantes trail – a summer art route with large-scale installations, pop-up bars, and interactive weirdness dotted across the city.
At night, things ramp up in the Hangar à Bananes district – an old banana warehouse turned nightlife hub, now packed with cocktail bars, quirky clubs, and DJ sets right by the water. Or, if you’re in the mood for something a bit more laid-back, hit one of the city’s cosy wine bars for a Muscadet tasting session. Cheers to that!
Things to do for foodies in Nantes
Bring your appetite – Nantes is a bit of a dark horse when it comes to food. Nestled between land and sea, it’s got the best of both worlds: fresh Atlantic seafood and rustic Loire Valley produce. Start with the city's signature beurre blanc (a rich, buttery white wine sauce) served with river fish or scallops, then move onto galettes (savoury buckwheat crêpes) stuffed with cheese, ham, egg – or all three if you’re feeling indecisive.
For serious foodies, there are plenty of local markets to get your teeth into – Talensac Market is the big one, brimming with oysters, cheese, pastries, and wine. Head there early for warm croissants straight from the oven and a natter with the stallholders. Want something fancy? Book a table at La Cigale, a Belle Époque-style brasserie that’s all chandeliers, oysters, and the sort of French flair you’ll want to name-drop later.
And of course, don’t leave without sipping your way through a Muscadet tasting session – the local white is dry, zesty, and pairs beautifully with just about everything. Santé!