Is Nantes, France Worth Visiting?

I had the chance to follow my husband on a business trip to Nantes, France. Even though I knew I would be on my own for most of the trip, I am not one to turn down a travel opportunity. For three days, I explored the city of Nantes mostly alone. I got a great feel for the overall town and I’m here to answer the question: Is Nantes worth visiting? Spoiler alert: Yes!

Nantes is easy to travel to

You can just fly directly into Nantes if you want but at a steep price. We flew into Paris for around $600 and took the high-speed train directly into the town for another $30-$40. The train is only about a 3-hour ride through some pretty beautiful farms and towns of Western France. You can also drive there from Paris if you are renting a car, which is anywhere between a 3.5-5.5 hour drive. I would recommend just taking the train though, it is very convenient, and you can easily get to your hotel by walking, cab, or Uber.

This city combines new and old

Nantes is broken up into 2 sections: the “new” city, filled with tall buildings and businesses, and the “medieval” town, with old, beautiful buildings, great restaurants, cobblestone streets, and small shops. The city itself is quite walkable, although Ubers, taxis, and even buses are quite plentiful. You can enjoy some great architecture, food, and experiences while having access to current technologies. Some of the public spaces in Nantes even have free wi-fi.

two chairs and a table on the waterway. in the distance are the high rises of Nantes
A peek at Nantes’ more modern side

Nantes will immerse you in French culture

This may or may not be a pro for some people, but Nantes is very different than Paris. For example, English is not as spoken widely in Nantes as you will find in many popular European cities. Many times, when we asked locals if they spoke English, many got flustered and embarrassed that they were not fluent like their Parisian counterparts! Nantes is actually a place where many Parisians and other French locals visit, so most places get by without needing to speak English. You will even be hard-pressed to find English menus at restaurants most of the time! This allows non-French speakers to lean into the language and go out of their comfort zone. In my experience, this often leads to a more fulfilling trip! Just make sure you download the French Language on Google translate so you can use it offline- you may find that your LTE or 5G service doesn’t always work.

Downtown Nantes. Narrow walkway and tall, artistic buildings on each side.
The narrow streets of Nantes.

Nantes has many free or inexpensive things to do

Nantes, while it may look small, actually has a ton of things to do that are free or inexpensive. For example, one of my favorite things to do there was to wander the free Botanical Gardens. Gorgeously landscaped and maintained, the gardens are a wonderful way to spend some time in Nantes and get some great photos. Very close nearby is the Musée D’Arts De Nantes, a beautiful art museum with an impressive collection. I spent hours looking through the incredible paintings myself, and exhibits ranging from ancient times to modern art. Don’t forget if you are under 18-26 you can get into the art museum for half the price (only 4 euros), and if you are under 18 your ticket is free. There are also many free cathedrals nearby to explore, and the town itself is quite the maze.

white building with columns and archways, and staircases.
The extensive Art Gallery of Nantes.

The city of Nantes has a medieval castle

Speaking of inexpensive things to do, you have to check out the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne, Nantes’ very own castle (complete with a moat!) It’s free to explore the grounds, and you can spend an hour or two taking a self-guided tour around the permitter. Inside, there is a museum (about 8 euro—and a discounted rate if you are aged 18-26!) with many interesting exhibits about the castle and what Nantes was like years ago. There are guided tours, but they were in French so we did not participate. The best part is that the castle is totally accessible, including elevators, ramps, and other accommodations for many types of disabilities, making it an ideal spot to visit for all travelers.

Two tall towers and an archway make the entrance for the castle.
Walk across a bridge and wander the grounds of Nantes’ castle.

Nantes offers unique experiences: the mechanical museum 

One very different experience that Nantes has unlike many other places is the mechanical museum. My husband’s conference rented out the museum for a private event, so we got up close and personal with their life-like mechanical animals. Each one is a work of engineering and art. We were given private demonstrations of a few of their animals, including their caterpillar, chameleon, hummingbird, a giant spider, and most recent animal, the heron. And in the end, the museum’s claim to fame, the giant mechanical elephant. Each piece, although made of metal, is constructed to move in a life-like way that is both interesting and exciting. This place isn’t something I had on my radar originally. But after visiting, I would highly recommend checking out the Les Machines de l’île for a unique and interesting experience in France.

A mechanical elephant lit up red in dramatic lighting.
The mechanical museum’s claim to fame!

You can find inexpensive and high-quality food and drinks

Nantes is a college town, with a vibrant nightlife and many interesting bars to go to if that’s your scene. There are also some fabulous restaurants in the old town, including a Michelin Star restaurant with only a few tables and another one with a hidden garden! There are so many options to choose from that it can be overwhelming! I don’t think you could go wrong, though!

Goat cheese in a small skillet topped with jam and bacon with a salad of tomatoes and walnuts. A basket of bread on the table.
Nantes can be a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.

Is Nantes worth visiting? 

If you like good food, interesting attractions, history, art, and French culture, then I say, YES, Nantes, France is absolutely worth visiting. It will be a totally different experience than Paris, but still a beautiful place to go with rich history and architecture. You could easily take just a day trip here, or spend a few days. Whatever your itinerary can fit, Nantes, France will be a memorable stop and is definitely worth the stop!

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