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You haven't been to Nantes yet? Then get ready for a pleasant surprise, because Nantes is like no other major French city and has established itself in recent years as one of the most original destinations in France! Between its historical heritage, public art installations, repurposed industrial wasteland and ever-present nature, it offers a rare diversity of experiences to explore without a car. And for art lovers: the Voyage à Nantes artistic trail turns the city into an open-air museum, guided by a green line painted on the ground that connects the main cultural sites. The result: a destination that is at once creative, fluvial and deeply alive, where you move seamlessly from a medieval alley to a contemporary art installation. In this guide, we take you on a ready-made city trip of 3 or 4 days in Nantes, covering the must-sees, the neighbourhoods to explore and a few ideas for day trips around the city.
And if you want to dig specifically into the artistic trail, we've also prepared a dedicated article: following the green line of the Voyage à Nantes.
In Nantes, art doesn't confine itself between four walls. Decades ago, the city made a conscious choice to bet on creativity as a way to reinvent itself. That wager gave birth to the "Voyage à Nantes", a unique artistic trail materialised by a green line that winds its way through the entire city.
The green line of Nantes - © Noëlie Laloyaux
Concretely? You can stumble upon a work of art around a street corner, discover an installation in a park, or encounter an artistic intervention right in the city centre!
What strikes you quickly in Nantes is how easy it is to get around. The historic centre is dense, distances are short, and the main points of interest are concentrated within a human-scale area. In just a few minutes, you move from the medieval Bouffay district to the banks of the Loire, then on to the Île de Nantes and its former industrial wasteland.
And above all, the city lends itself perfectly to gentle exploration. On foot, obviously, but also by bike! Nantes is part of several major cycling routes and has been developing its cycling infrastructure for years, making it a particularly pleasant destination to explore without a car.
Nantes is also a city of water. And that changes everything. The Loire, of course, but also the Erdre and the Sèvre nantaise shape a landscape in motion, where the urban and the natural coexist permanently. The metropolitan area boasts more than 200 kilometres of waterside walking paths — as many opportunities to escape without leaving the city!
This connection to the living world can be found everywhere: in the parks, in the gardens, in public spaces… And it takes just a few kilometres to reach the vineyards or head out towards the estuary and the ocean.
This is the ideal starting point for discovering the city! At the heart of the historic centre, the Château des ducs de Bretagne embodies several centuries of history all on its own. Former residence of the Dukes of Brittany (as its name suggests), it now houses the Museum of the History of Nantes, which traces the evolution of the city through 32 rooms.
The majestic Château des ducs de Bretagne - © Noëlie Laloyaux
But beyond the exhibitions, it is also a living place. The ramparts are freely accessible and offer a pleasant stroll, with views over the city. This is often where the stay truly begins: a first encounter with Nantes, between past and present.
Head next to the Île de Nantes, a former industrial territory turned urban laboratory. This is where les Machines de l’île are located — without doubt the most iconic site in the city. Inspired by the universe of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, this project blends art, mechanics and imagination.
Le célèbre éléphant de Nantes - © Noëlie Laloyaux
The Grand Éléphant, which slowly strolls along the quays at 12 metres tall, has become a true icon. But the Galerie des Machines and the Carrousel des Mondes Marins extend this immersive experience, somewhere between dream and engineering.
The wonderful people you can meet at the Machine Gallery - © Noëlie Laloyaux
Beyond the symbolism, this place tells a deeper story: how Nantes transformed its industrial past into a terrain for creation.
Yes — it's the most quintessentially Nantes experience there is. At some point during your stay, you'll inevitably notice it: a green line, painted on the ground, discreet but continuous. You follow it without really thinking about it, and before you know it, it takes you somewhere else. A château. Then a contemporary artwork. Then a hidden passageway. Then the quays. That's when you truly understand Nantes: not as a succession of places to visit, but as a journey to live.
To go further, we invite you to read our dedicated article:
Article
Nantes, an open-air art city: follow the green line of the Voyage à Nantes
Turning down a shopping street, you could almost walk right past it. And yet, the Passage Pommeraye is one of the most spectacular places in the city.
Built in the 19th century, this covered arcade is organised around a monumental staircase, surrounded by statues, sculpted balconies and layered galleries. In practice, you step in for a few minutes — and end up staying much longer than planned…
The elegance of the sculptures at the Passage Pommeraye - © Noëlie Laloyaux
It's exactly the kind of place that reminds you that Nantes has always been a city of trade and exchange, turned outward to the world.
A few steps from the train station, an iconic tower stands out against the skyline: that of LU, the former biscuit factory, transformed into a cultural centre.
But today, Le Lieu Unique is far more than a cultural centre. It's a living space, a hybrid venue where exhibitions, shows, debates, a bookshop and a bar all converge.
Un endroit qui porte bien son nom - © Noëlie Laloyaux
You can come for an exhibition and end up staying for a drink, a read, a chat… It's a place that perfectly embodies Nantes: open, curious and alive.
Just across from the train station, the Jardin des Plantes de Nantes offers an immediate contrast with the urban hustle. This 19th-century botanical garden brings together more than 10,000 plant species, tropical greenhouses, and artistic installations dotted throughout the park.
The magnificent botanical garden in Nantes - © Noëlie Laloyaux
The perfect spot to slow down, catch your breath and take your time!
A few minutes further north, the atmosphere changes completely. On the Île de Versailles, a Japanese garden awaits, with its wooden footbridges, ponds and pavilion. The place is peaceful, almost suspended in time.
Feels like Japan, right ? - © Noëlie Laloyaux
It is also an excellent starting point for strolling along the Erdre, often described as one of the most beautiful rivers in France.
Nantes is above all a city of water. The Loire, the Erdre and the Sèvre nantaise shape a landscape in motion where the urban and the natural coexist. The metropolitan area boasts more than 200 km of waterside walks — as many opportunities to escape without leaving the city.
The charm of the banks of the Erdre - © Noëlie Laloyaux
On this first day, take your time getting lost in the centre. Start at the Château des ducs de Bretagne, then let yourself wander through the Bouffay district. The medieval alleyways, the old facades, the lively atmosphere… everything invites you to stroll.
Continue towards the cathedral, then to the Passage Pommeraye, before heading to the Place Graslin and its theatre. An ideal day for understanding the city's history and soaking up its atmosphere.
A change of scenery. Head to the Île de Nantes, where the old industrial world has given way to a space for creativity and experimentation.
Les Machines de l'île will no doubt be the highlight of the day, but take time to wander through the Parc des Chantiers and along the quays as well. The Hangar à Bananes, with its bars and terraces, is perfect for ending the day facing the Loire.
After two full days, it's time to slow down. Start at the Jardin des Plantes, then make your way northward along the Erdre to the Île de Versailles. The walk is easy, enjoyable, and offers a different perspective on the city.
In the afternoon, stop by Le Lieu Unique for a more contemporary cultural touch.
If you have an extra day, this is where Nantes reveals its full richness. You can cross the Loire to reach Trentemoult, a former fishing village with colourful houses. Or take the train to Clisson, a surprisingly charming town with Italian-inspired architecture.
Les charmantes maisons colorées de Trentemoult - © Noëlie Laloyaux
Another option: follow the estuaire artistic trail between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, where artworks enter into dialogue with the Loire landscapes.
Ultimately, Nantes ticks all the boxes for a more responsible trip. It's easy to reach by train, easy to get around on foot, by tram or by bike — and above all, you never need to go very far to experience a great deal.
It's a human-scale city, rich in culture, where each neighbourhood brings a new atmosphere. A perfect destination for slowing down without sacrificing the richness of experiences.
Nantes cannot be summed up as a list of places to visit. It's a city to explore, to feel, to be surprised by at every turn — one that has managed to transform its industrial history into a terrain for artistic creation. In just a few days, you move from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, from the banks of the Loire to exotic gardens, from giant machines to cobbled alleyways. And perhaps that's the most striking thing: this capacity to take you on a journey without ever leaving the city…
This article was produced in partnership with Le Voyage à Nantes. To plan your stay and discover the full artistic trail, visit levoyageanantes.fr!
This guide is produced in partnership with the tourism office:
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
