France really does have it all. The culture and fashion of Paris, the excitement of the Alps and the je ne sais que beauty of Provence. However, you can also indulge yourself in the beauty of France outside of the tourist trails. Meet Nantes, a charming city to the west which lies on the beautiful Loire River. Here you won’t find tourists, but you will find a fusion of rich heritage and modern creativity. So without further ado, here is how to spend 72 hours in Nantes. Enjoy.
72 Hours in Nantes | My Quick Guide
Getting to Nantes
Nantes is a French city and is (as you’d imagine) fairly easy to get to. From Paris, head to Gare Montparnasse and take the direct train. The journey takes around 2 hours and tickets cost as little as £30.00 or so. Other major cities such as Lyon also have direct trains here for a similar, if not cheaper, price.
Flying is another option and some airlines (Ryanair and Easy Jet) fly direct from London to Nantes. If you are on a budget, then this option will be much cheaper than the Eurostar + trains out of Paris, however you won’t then be able to spend a few nights in the capital. From Nantes Airport, the easiest way to the city centre is by far a taxi, and this will take around 20 minutes.
Where to Stay in Nantes
The best place to stay in Nantes has to be the historic centre-ville. This has a range of excellent hotels and links to the rest of the city.
Here are a few options that you can choose from based upon my stays in Nantes:
| Accommodation Type | Hotel Name |
| Budget Traveller | Hotel Voltaire Opera Nantes Centre |
| Luxury | Château de Maubreuil |
| Best of Both Worlds | Hôtel de la Cité |
Getting Around
Nantes is really simple to get around. For starters, you have excellent public transport in the form of buses, trams and even river shuttle. The best way in my opinion is to book a Nantes Tourist Pass. This gives you unlimited access to public transport and the majority of attractions, and lasts for however long you need it to. If you are spending 72 hours in Nantes and want to make full use of the pass, it will cost you €45.00. You will however make massive savings if you take this option, so it is worth doing.
Tip: Public transport in Nantes is free on the weekend, so you may not need the full pass depending on which days you go and what you want to do.
Day 1: Dive into Nantes’ History and Culture
Morning:
Your first stop in Nantes is the gorgeous Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany). You can’t miss it; the fortress is incredibly impressive and is in the very heart of the city. Here you can stroll along the ramparts and have some beautiful views of the city. There are also some excellent interactive exhibits. Full-price tickets here cost €12 per person, but there are concessions for younger people, teachers and pensioners. The castle is also included in the Nantes Pass.
Lunch:
For lunch, you need to try La Cigale. This is an extraordinary and iconic brasserie, which you’ll find near Place Graslin. You can enjoy some of the best French cuisine in one of the best interiors around. You’ll just want to keep coming back – trust me.
Afternoon:
After a delicious lunch, I would suggest checking out the beautiful Passage Pommeraye. This stunning 19th-century shopping arcade is filled with elegant boutiques, intricate ironwork, and timeless charm. Then continue to the Bouffay District. This is the historic quarter of the city and you’ll see some beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. You’ll also have yet more vibrant cafés to try out. The highlight here has to be the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul. The architecture is simply a gothic masterpiece and is worth seeing simply for that, alongside the gorgeous stained-glass windows.
Evening:
After exploring the historic centre, I would suggest heading to the Île de Nantes. This is a historic industrial area which has been revitalised in the past few years and now has a quirky, fun vibe. It is also the perfect place to catch the sunset to end the first 24 out of 72 hours in Nantes, washed down with a cocktail. .
Day 2: Explore the Artistic Side of Nantes
Morning:
One of the most memorable things I saw in Nantes was the unique Les Machines de l’Île, Nantes’ signature attraction. You’ll see some incredible feats of engineering, including a giant mechanical elephant that actually carries people around. Inside the main area there are other animals to see too, all with their own different styles and features. This is really cool and, whilst it is not super interactive, it is worth seeing. Tickets cost €9.50 per adult, with reduced rates for children. Again, this is covered in the Nantes Pass.
Lunch:
For lunch today, you won’t have to walk far! Near to Les Machines is an aptly-named restaurant called Machin Machine. The food here is classically French and actually good value. It is just a short walk over the bridge.
Afternoon:
After lunch, you’ll be following the green line of Le Voyage à Nantes (the tourism board). This particular trail focusses on the artistic and cultural highlights of the city. As you stroll through the city you’ll see plenty of street art and installations. The best part though has to be a trip to the Lieu Unique museum, which actually is a former biscuit factory.
Evening:
Tonight you’ll be truly indulging into French cuisine, which some would argue is the best in the world. To celebrate this, head to L’Atlantide 1874, which is actually a Michelin-starred restaurant which focusses on seafood. You’ll get lovely views of the Loire River at dusk too, which will make the food that much tastier. Tip: This place gets booked up fast, so make sure you plan in advance.
Day 3: Nature and Outside of Nantes
Morning:
On your final morning, start the day by heading outside with a takeaway coffee and croissant. The Jardin des Plantes is a striking and beautiful botanical garden filled with a range of plants, some of which are exotic. You’ll also find plenty of walking paths to leisurely stroll about, along with impressive sculptures to celebrate the art of Nantes.
Alternatively: you could head to Clisson this morning, which is a small town outside of the city known for Italian architecture. You can easily get here by train and the journey takes around half an hour. In the town you’ll see some historical buildings, such as the castle ruins, and you can even go on a tour to the vineyards. Another great option is a day trip to Angers – stop by the castle to see the Apocalypse Tapestry.
Lunch:
One place you need to go for lunch in Nantes is the Talensac Market. This is also a major historical attraction and it is well worth seeing by itself, even if you don’t want to sample the food. You’ll find plenty of things to eat if you wanted to build your own lunch but, alternatively, nearby there are plenty of Bistros which you can peruse at your leisure.
Afternoon:
On your final afternoon, you’ll do one of my favourite things in Nantes; you’ll be taking a cruise! These regularly run down the Loire and offer some of the best views of the city. Plus, what is nicer than kicking back with an alcoholic beverage and enjoying the world go by on a boat?
If you have the time you could also visiting the colourful former fishing village of Trentemoult just 10 minutes by (Navibus) ferry from the city centre. Spend some time strolling through its narrow, winding streets lined with vibrant houses, lush gardens, and quirky boutiques.
Evening:
For your final meal in Nantes, you’ll be enjoying classical French cuisine at La P’tite Ardoise. This charming little Bistro has everything you need to enjoy some of the best regional food around. Bon appetite!
Final Thoughts | 72 Hours in Nantes
72 hours in Nantes gives you just enough time to see this charming, often-overlooked city. If you are looking for something a bit different and artsy, then this really is the place to go. I mean, where else can you find a giant elephant carrying people about? I hope that you found this guide useful and if you have any questions just let me know.
