10 Best Things to Do in Nantes

Nantes’ most notable building is the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, or Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Located in the centre of the city, at walking distance from the train station, it’s a Renaissance-style fortress that houses an urban history museum. 

From genuine historical objects to modern multimedia installations, you’ll learn a lot about Nantes and the region, in a fun and educational way. The castle features 7 towers linked by a walkway that you can walk on. For additional fun, don't miss the slide going down the side of the castle.

Located in the heart of Nantes, in Rue de la Fosse, the Passage Pommeraye is a covered shopping street built in the mid-19th century. Designed in a classy Renaissance-style, it's classified as a historic monument, and is especially famous for its splendid marble staircases, statues and glass ceiling.

If you’re looking to do a spot of shopping, the Passage Pommeraye hosts over 25 elegant stores on 3 floors of clothing, accessories, perfumes and jewellery. The boutiques are in line with the stylish atmosphere of the place.

Bouffay is the oldest district of downtown Nantes. Located 250 metres west of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, this pedestrian area features many quaint streets and lanes. These spread out from Place du Bouffay, a cobblestoned square that is a pleasant spot to have lunch or a drink at one of the cafés and restaurants with outdoor terraces.

The Bouffay district is filled with boutiques selling all types of items, from clothing to shoes to mobile phones and more. Make sure to wander through to ensure you find that souvenir or gift you’re looking for.

Talensac is the main and largest market in Nantes. Located near the centre of the city, it hosts over 200 stalls in 3 separate sections: covered, semi-covered and open air. Here, you’ll find mostly anything from fresh vegetables and fruits to meat and fish to clothing and artisanal products, so it’s perfect no matter what you’re looking for. 

Sundays at Talensac Market are liveliest. Amid the bustling atmosphere you’ll join tourists and locals alike, who come here to purchase groceries and ready-to-eat goods from recognised food professionals.

Satisfy your inner child with a visit to the Machines of the Isle of Nantes. Inspired by Jules Vernes’ novels, Leonardo Da Vinci’s visionary inventions and the industrial history of Nantes, this artistic and cultural project takes you to a true world of fantasy.

The mechanical Great Elephant is the star of the place and the gallery of machines showcases a true bestiary of apparatus: giant mechanical spider, ant and heron, just to name a few. It’s best to pre-book the ride on the Great Elephant on the internet beforehand to avoid long queues.

Nantes museums have much to offer the whole family, whether they're interested in history, culture, art or a variety of other fascinating topics. The local history museums are quite comprehensive, with some focusing on the history of the city and others expanding to the entire world. The natural history museum even explores the history of life and the planet.

Some of the museums in town are quite unique, offering opportunities to explore more niche topics. Nantes has a Jules Verne museum, for example, but you can also visit a museum focused on the history of the printing press. You'll find museums all throughout town, though they're concentrated mostly in the city centre.

Based in the LU factory, an old famous biscuit factory, Le Lieu Unique is a complex that hosts Nantes’ national centre for contemporary arts. It’s a place where you can see all types of art, from live music concerts to theatre to literature to painting, and more.

In addition to the art exhibitions and events, Le Lieu Unique features a bar, a restaurant, a hammam, a day nursery, a bookstore and a gift shop. Blending cultures and styles, it’s a great place to meet people from all horizons in a cool venue.

The Jardin des Plantes is a green oasis next to the train station’s north entrance in the heart of Nantes. The botanical garden covers an area of over 70,000 sq m which includes 800 sq m of greenhouses that contain an outstanding collection of African and Asian orchids.

With over 11,000 species of plants and flowers displayed between waterways and ponds, as well as beautiful statues, fountains and a large children’s playground, Jardin des Plantes offers a peaceful place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Nantes city center.

A symphonic fusion of opera companies from Angers and of Nantes, the Angers-Nantes Opéra utilises performance spaces across the region to bring new life into western France’s operatic scene. Audiences are thrilled by an ever-evolving programme including passionate dramas, puppet theatre, choirs from all over the globe and much more.

Their Nantes base, the Théâtre Graslin, is a gorgeous piece of neo-classical architecture, and is worth a guided tour if you have time before your show. Beyond spectacular shows, the Angers-Nantes Opéra also provides free concerts throughout the year from operatic students. It’s a perfect way to introduce loved ones to the art or is a classic choice for a low-cost date.

La Cigale is one of the longest-established restaurants in Nantes and it’s classified as a historic monument for its Art Nouveau architecture and décor dated back to 1895, the year it opened.

Located on Place Graslin, in the centre of Nantes, you can sample a wide variety of classic French dishes at La Cigale, including fresh seafood from the Atlantic Ocean which lies 60 kilometres away. From scallop to oyster and from langoustine to cod, the selection is top-notch, and even more appreciated when accompanied by a glass of local Muscadet wine.