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Nantes, France

Make the most of your time in Nantes, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links to plan your visit.

Known as the ‘Venice of the west’ thanks to its position on the Loire River, Nantes is set near to the west coast of France and has a particularly rich heritage. The city was part of the historic region of Brittany, to which it is still strongly identified, but in its current guise is the capital of the Pays de la Loire region. Today, the city’s ideal location on the river has led to it becoming a busy port and a popular place to live; indeed, it was identified in 2004 as ‘the most liveable city in all Europe’ in some quarters.

Nantes is set just 50 kilometres inland from the Atlantic Coast and brings together a blend of blue and green, with both water and parkland in abundance. The Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and this setting provides an excellent place to visit just a stone’s throw from the city itself. There are also areas such as the Jardin des Plantes which features 1,000 hectares of green space with exotic plants, while there is also La Beaujoire floral park in addition.

The Ile de Nantes is a 350 hectare space which juts out into the Loire River. Formerly a shipyard, the area is now a cultural and leisure highlight and is home to a machine creating gallery. Perhaps the most notable machine is the Giant Elephant which is often seen walking the streets of Nantes with up to 45 passengers perched on top. The 45 tonne, 12 metre high machine lives in the former shipping yard and is certainly an unusual sight and experience for those who visit.

Nantes has become something of an antique, designer and fashion centre, while it is also a hotspot for Loire wines and the Beurre Blanc sauce. Famously, Nantes is the home town of writer Jules Verne and the city hosts a museum named after him to commemorate his work. In addition, there are several other museums in the city, including the fine arts museum, the natural history museum, the museum of printing and the Dobree museum.

France’s sixth largest city after the likes of Paris, Marseille and Nice, Nantes is home to in the region of 500,000 people, while in the wider metropolitan area there are a further 300,000 inhabitants. As well as the museums and green spaces already mentioned, the Old Town is also worth visiting, as are the Gothic cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul and the 15th century Dukes of Brittany castle.
 

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