10 Best Things to Do and See in Nantes
Exploring Nantes on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Nantes, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Nantes. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. The Machines of the Isle
Les Machines de l’Île, in Nantes, offer a unique visit combining art, mechanics, and imagination on the Île de Nantes. Visitors can discover giant animated machines inspired by the world of Jules Verne, including spectacular creations such as a giant elephant, exhibition galleries, and workshops where you can watch the designers’ craftsmanship in action. The site appeals to families and curious travelers looking for an unusual experience, blending spectacle, engineering, and poetry in a one-of-a-kind setting on the banks of the Loire.
2. Brittany Dukes’ Castle
In the heart of Nantes, the Château of the Dukes of Brittany is a must-see site for discovering the city’s history in a remarkable setting. This stone-walled fortress features an inner courtyard, towers, walkways, and a museum dedicated to the history of Nantes. The visit lets you admire the castle’s defensive architecture while exploring varied exhibitions, heritage spaces, and viewpoints over the historic center. It is a place that is cultural, monumental, and pleasant to explore.
3. Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes in Nantes is a large botanical garden in the heart of the city, loved for its shaded paths, wide lawns, and carefully maintained flower beds. Visitors can discover a rich collection of plants, greenhouses, remarkable trees, and several themed areas that invite you to stroll and relax. It is also a pleasant place to observe biodiversity, take a peaceful break, or enjoy a lush green setting with family, just a short walk from the city center.
4. Versailles Island
In the heart of Nantes, Île de Versailles is a small island garden set on the Erdre River, appreciated for its peaceful atmosphere right in the city. Visitors can enjoy tree-lined paths, bridges, views over the water, and a Japanese garden that invites strolling and relaxation. This easily accessible place to unwind offers a pleasant break between nature and the urban landscape, ideal for a walk, a short stop, or simply to enjoy a beautifully kept and soothing setting.
5. Nantes Museum of Art
The Nantes Museum of Arts is one of the city’s leading art museums, with collections that let visitors explore several centuries of artistic creation. Here you can discover paintings, sculptures, drawings and contemporary artworks, displayed in a varied itinerary that showcases both major European movements and more recent artists. The museum stands out for the diversity of its rooms and the richness of its temporary exhibitions, which complement the permanent collections. It is an ideal visit for anyone who wants to experience the history of art in one of Nantes’ major cultural landmarks.
6. Procé Park
Procé Park, in Nantes, is a large green space appreciated for its shady paths, lawns, and flower beds. It offers a peaceful setting ideal for walking, jogging, or spending time with the family, with tall trees that provide plenty of shade on warm days. The park also includes playgrounds and open spaces where you can relax in peace, while still being close to the city center. It is a pleasant place to enjoy a moment in nature in Nantes.
7. Extraordinary Garden
The Jardin Extraordinaire, in Nantes, is an astonishing landscaped site set in a former quarry, where vegetation thrives among cliffs and waterfalls. Visitors discover a very mineral setting, viewpoints, walking paths, and sweeping views over the Loire and the city. This place invites you to enjoy an unusual stroll between nature, contemporary design, and an almost tropical atmosphere, with varied plantings and spaces designed for relaxation. It is an original stop to admire an extraordinary urban garden.
8. Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Nantes
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Nantes is one of the city’s great religious landmarks, remarkable for its impressive Gothic architecture and vast interior space. Inside, visitors discover sweeping nave spaces, soaring vaults, and a solemn atmosphere ideal for quiet reflection. The cathedral also houses artistic and liturgical features that reflect its importance in the Catholic life of Nantes. Located in the heart of Nantes, it attracts both heritage enthusiasts and visitors looking for an iconic landmark.
9. Grand Blottereau Park
The Grand Blottereau Park in Nantes is a large place to stroll, valued for its wide lawns, tree-lined paths, and gardens with varied atmospheres. Visitors can enjoy flower-filled areas, relaxing spaces, and pleasant trails for walking, running, or having a picnic outdoors. The park also offers a peaceful setting, ideal for family outings as well as nature breaks, with open viewpoints and a lush green atmosphere in the heart of the city.
10. Natural History Museum
The Nantes Natural History Museum invites visitors to discover the richness of the living world through a varied collection of zoology, paleontology, mineralogy, and earth sciences. Visitors can see skeletons, fossils, taxidermy specimens, shells, rocks, and other exhibits that help explain biodiversity and the planet’s evolution. The museum trail is designed to be both informative and accessible, with spaces suited to families as well as anyone curious about natural history. It is an ideal visit for exploring nature in all its forms.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
