Nantes is a city full of diverse cultural heritage, built around the mouth of the River Loire in its beautiful green valleys. Nantes is also a vibrant university town, and its breathtaking architecture reveals an artistic character. To relax you can sail from the harbour to nearby locations on the coast, or explore the exotic parks under the summer sun. The native mixture of traditional Brittany cuisine combined with local regional wines, such as the famous Muscadet, create an inimitable culinary experience to delight your senses. Stroll through the streets, talk to the friendly locals, and you’ll discover a beautiful city with some special secrets you can make your own. Image from ©G.Chataigner
DISCOVER THE CHARM OF Nantes WITH VOLOTEA
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The Estuaire Trail, land art along the Loire
Nantes is home to ‘le Voyage à Nantes’ but this exuberant arts trail isn’t confined to the city. It winds its way along the Loire estuary to Saint-Nazaire and is dotted with land art installations, some of which are my very favourite sights in the region.
Le Hangar à Bananes: the place to be in Nantes
Le Hangar à Bananes (“Banana Warehouse”) is a symbolic place in the city of Nantes. As a newcomer to the city, you’ll hear its name on the lips of almost everyone you meet in Nantes. What’s more, the fact that it’s a difficult concept to define will make you want to find out more.
Voyou, our Local Hero from Northern France
All ready for your trip to Northern France? While you’re fantasizing about your trip, daydream with the Northern France playlist that we’ve prepared especially for your trip
Nantes museums and the surrounding areas
If you are looking for something to do in Nantes during winter, the cold days or when it’s raining, I’ve got something for you: what would you say to a little tour around one of the Nantes region’s museums?
Jules Verne and Nantes
Without any doubt, you are familiar with the name Jules Verne, but did you know that the French author was born in Nantes and spent his childhood there? Nantes inspired Jules Verne like Jules Verne continues to inspire the cultural development of Nantes.
The Passage Pommeraye
While the Passage Pommeraye isn’t really a secret spot, I can’t resist telling you about this covered shopping arcade that, as well as being one of Nantes’ most beautiful sites, is also one of the most beautiful covered passageways in Europe.
Wine-making in Nantes
The Nantes wine-growing region isn’t the most well-known in France, but it boasts some fabulous local wines from dedicated winemakers. Today I’m going to walk you through Nantes’ vineyards, an area that is becoming increasingly recognised and is full of surprises.
A day out in Clisson
Clisson is a charming little village surrounded by vineyards in south of Nantes. It’s the perfect place for simply wandering around, giving you a relaxed change of scene.
Design & Fly : meeting with an artist from Nantes
For the third and last month, the competition “Design And Fly” ends its journey in the beautiful city of Nantes this July in collaboration with Show Us Your Type (www.showusyourtype.com).
Among all participants, a winner be chosen for the best and most creative poster and will be awarded 2 roundtrip tickets to Nantes!
Nantes’ Summer of Music
The people of Nantes love a good party so, it’s just as well there are loads of musical events taking place from June to September in and around the city.
The Jardin des Plantes de Nantes
Among the hundreds of parks existing in the city of Nantes, there’s one that I particularly love: The Jardin des […]
The cranes of Nantes
The Grues Titan are an iconic part of the Nantes skyline. Much like the Tour Bretagne, the Machines de l’Île and the Île Feydeau, they make photos of Nantes instantly recognizable.
The top pastry chefs and chocolatiers in Nantes
Nantes is lucky enough to have some incredible pastry chefs and chocolatiers in the city that are an absolute delight and are definitely worth visiting when you get the chance.
Dive into the history of Nantes with these five must-visit places
The city of Nantes has undergone numerous changes over the centuries. And today the city’s architecture and layout still retain traces of the past.
4 creperies to try in Nantes
One of Nantes’ culinary specialities is the famous crêpe bretonne. These pancakes can be made sweet using normal wheat or savoury using buckwheat.
Nantes Carnival
The Nantes Carnival takes place every year between the end of March and the start of April. For three days, […]
La Cigale, Art Nouveau brasserie and a true institution in Nantes
La Cigale is one of the most iconic restaurants in Nantes. Even if you’re only passing through town, it is a place worth stopping by for a few minutes. While the menu is certainly enticing and the service is always friendly, it is above all the décor that has made the place so renowned. Even after many years in Nantes, every time I visit La Cigale, I am enchanted by its the beauty.
Celebrate Christmas at Les theNefs de Nantes
Nantes is a great place to celebrate Christmas because there are so many events organised every year during the month of december[…]
Les Utopiales: International Science Fiction Festival in Nantes
Les Utopiales is a science fiction festival attended and enjoyed by Nantes locals and international visitors on the first weekend in November each year.
Enjoy a drink on the terrace at Nantes
Nantes is a very pleasant city on account of its green and airy character. There are large squares, waterways and areas set up especially for Voyage à Nantes
My favourite places on the coast
So those are my five favourite places located on the Atlantic coast close to Nantes, but there are so many others to tell you about too.
Voyage à Nantes
In the summer, an event takes place in Nantes that neither residents nor visitors can miss. Voyage à Nantes is a new experience each year. For two months, art comes out into the city’s streets…
“Crebillonning” – how to say shopping in Nantes!
When people go window shopping in Nantes, they use the verb “crébillonner”, coined after Rue Crébillon, the iconic sloping street brimming with shops.
Nantes, the cycling-friendly city
Since I’ve been living in Nantes, one of the main criteria for me when I move and look for a new apartment, is what the local area is like for cycling.
Talensac market
Talensac market is a real institution in Nantes: it’s undoubtedly the best known and most visited; its history (it celebrates […]
The real Petit-Beurre from Nantes
Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved eating a Petit-Beurre biscuit, starting with its “ears” (the corners). Its smooth […]
Heading to Machines de l’Île
Ah, the Projects Park! Do you know of many towns where you can be taken for a ride beside the […]
My 3 favourite spots for brunch in Nantes
Fancy a delicious brunch in a cool setting? Here are my 3 favourite spots for brunch in Nantes. There’s something […]
Memories of Nantes’ parks
Nantes is a green town, and I’m not talking about ecology here, even if many Nantes inhabitants have a concern […]
La Folle Journée
Nantes is renowned as being a hotspot for music. One reason for this is its famous classical music festival, La […]
A Sunday in Nantes
Sunday is undoubtedly my favourite day. A day to relax, with family… As for lots of people who live in […]
The White Queen of Nantes
La Reine Blanche is without doubt my very first cinematographic memory of Nantes. This Jean Loup Hubert film was shot […]
A street for all your desires
My favourite thing to do in Nantes is to go for a stroll! I stroll around aimlessly, I go to […]
The Tour Bretagne in Nantes
The Tour Bretagne, which is often the subject of criticism when the subject of the Nantes’ architecture is raised, has become an urban beacon and a steadfast landmark
Panoramic Nantes
I had to wait a few decades to be able to look down at Nantes from above! It’s true that […]
The Rigolettes of Nantes!
Have you heard about the Rigolettes of Nantes? Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, these sweets were invented in 1902 and are still making people’s mouths water today!
Nantes Cake
Nantes cake is the local speciality when it comes to cakes in Nantes… and although I’m from Nantes, Nantes cake […]
Nantes Art Deco
A former geographer, I still enjoy wandering around the streets of a city. I’m interested in all the details which […]
The only Lieu Unique
When I was little and used to walk past the imposing biscuit factory in Nantes, I always gave me a […]
Nantes by boat
When the weather is good, Nantes becomes a greener Venice in the West! The banks of the Erde, Loire and […]
Architecture · Culture · Open Air
The Bouffay district
During medieval times, Bouffay was the heart of Nantes, and over the years the city has spread beyond its original […]
La Maison de la Marionnette theatre
Welcome to a world of fantasy and fairytale characters at la Maison de la Marionnette theatre, right in the centre […]
L’Epicier D’Art
Seek out this truly unique shopping experience in the hands of Nantes’ l’Epicier d’Art gallery. Situated next to Saint Nicolas’ […]
Le Bistrot à Gilles
Located in Nantes’ beautiful old town, Le Bistrot à Gilles brings an original touch to the finest French cuisine, offered […]
The Municipality of Trentemoult
If you’re looking for is a relaxing getaway, why not try a trip to the small fishing village of Trentemoult? […]
Music · Night Life · Urban
Café Cult’
In the heart of the vibrant and picturesque city of Nantes lies a curious darkened café, Café Cult’, where you […]