A modern city that treasures its rich heritage, Nantes offers the perfect balance of old and new. Its history dates all the way back to 70 BC but time and again the municipality has shown itself to be the master of reinvention.
With the Loire and Erdre rivers snaking through the centre, it’s easy to see why the city earned the nickname ‘Venice of the West’. Follow the glittering waters out of the heart of Nantes to find yourself transported to a fantasy land peppered with castles.
Visit The Illuminated Castle by night
Known to locals as Château des Ducs de Bretagne and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany to English-speaking visitors, this spectacular stronghold has stood in Nantes’ centre since the 15th century.
Cross the glittering moat via footbridge and head beneath the imposing walls into the heart of Château des Ducs de Bretagne. Here you’ll find the fascinating Nantes History Museum, dedicated to the city’s long and vivid history. Once you’ve learned about its past, venture up to the ramparts circling the complex and drink in the impressive panoramic views of modern-day Nantes.
If you can delay your visit until late afternoon, you can usher in nightfall on the grounds and see the walls and towers lit up, creating a stunning spectacle.
Ride a 40-foot robot elephant
As soon as you breach the city walls, you’ll instantly notice that Nantes is a place that’s alive with art. A love for aesthetics is in evidence across the city, from the eye-catching buildings to the one-of-a-kind shop fronts and signs.
Nantes has a history of inspiring artists, most notably the Surrealists, and that’s demonstrated in one of the city’s best-loved attractions, Les Machines de l'Île.
Part art project, part museum, this quirky attraction is not only a complete embodiment of everything ‘Nantes’, it’s also a fun way to spend an afternoon. You’ll quickly spot where it takes its inspiration from – mostly the various imagined worlds of Jules Verne, the famed sci-fi writer who called the city home.
Wander around the enormous carousel, flanked by myriad sea creatures, before making your way to the pièce de résistance, the mechanical elephant. Not everyone can say they’ve ridden a robotic creature – jump at the opportunity to climb aboard and be carried along as the creature flaps its ears and squirts water at delighted children.
Say 'bonjour!' to La Ville Blanche
Swap the River Loire for the Atlantic Ocean with a day trip to La Rochelle. Nestled on the east coast, the limestone buildings lining the streets here lend a luminance to life in ‘The White City’.
Spend time on the beaches and head to the Vieux Port, the picturesque old harbour lined with excellent seafood spots. Tuck into local Île de Ré oysters with a gorgeous view of the three towers that once protected the marina. The best vistas of the quayside can be found from the top of Tour de la Lanterne, a pretty medieval lighthouse that’s the last of its kind.
Hiring a car from Nantes Airport allows you to enjoy the different faces of this always engaging city, along with the wider wonders of the Loire Valley.
