Nantes

We suggest three main versions for the city tour :

• Nantes, the essential for 2 hours
• Different perspectives in Nantes for 4 hours
• Nantes, the overview for 7 hours

But first of all...

Nantes in a few words

Why coming to Nantes whilst a very beautiful coast nearby is calling us, will you be asking yourself ? You will quickly realize that tourist attractions and activities are worth a stop-over. In the absence of any beach or ocean, water is yet still not missing in Nantes : the river Loire is fighting its way through the city (it is in fact rather the city which made itself comfortable over the centuries and grew bigger) and meets with the river Erdre right in the city centre. It is an airy town where you will have great pleasure taking a walk along the streets, rivers and parks. And by the way, Nantes was elected European Green Capital City back in 2013.

During your wanderings, you will discover some areas with strong character, each illustrating a rich history and specific times :

• Medieval time with the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and also with the Bouffay area
• 18th century Neo-Classic style in the city centre
• Feydeau Island and quays shaped by the booming water transportation and trade (more specifically with triangular trade i.e. slave trade)
• Haussmann style buildings and areas which are heritage from 19th century
• Industrial Revolution and shipyards on Nantes’ Island which were recently rehabilitated and turned to unusual constructions, sometimes every arty ones. A giant elephant which looks just straight out of Jules Verne’s worlds has even made its home there !

Nantes is of course not a museum and also shows very modern profiles, not just via its architecture. Acitivities, cultural events and various initiatives will follow one another all year round. Whether it is about music (all sorts!), cinema, theatre, sports, contemporary art or even floral art, everyone will be able to satisfy their desire for entertainment, night and day ! Amongst those activities, we will mention the major “A journey to Nantes” which still surprises us all summer in the streets, and also the Erdre Rendez-Vous and its jazz music in the open, and almost aquatic.

Nantes will also be able to seduce your papillae. Given its history, Nantes has always been involved in preparing few sweets such as Berlingots, Rigolettes, Bottereaux or typical Nantes’ cake. BN Choco, LU Petit Beurre, or the Paille d’Or were also born there. On a different register, the Muscadet wines will perfectly suit with seafood and fishes which as for them, will happily coordinate with a white butter sauce.

Maybe you will ask this ever so asked question : is Nantes part of Brittany ? On paper it no longer is administratively since 1941 and it even became Prefecture for Pays de la Loire in the meantime. Historically and culturally it is a different story. It once was the Capital City of the Dukes of Brittany and gave birth to Anne de Bretagne. Breton flag is still flying there. The heart of Nantes then looks very Breton yet you might as well come and decide for yourself !

"Nantes, the essential" visit

This will take you around the key places which shaped the city through the times and still liven up. You will have the opportunity to imagine what city could look like at Middle Age and see what is left nowadays. Little streets and squares are all there to testify the prosperous or hard times peoples in Nantes have faced since the French Revolution. These houses remind us of their former activities but also of the people who contributed to the changes in this city. The city now and modern life style with their various influences fit harmoniously to these historical surroundings. All this will contribute to keep your eyes wide open, trying to spot very unusual sides.

Book a tour "Nantes, the essential"

Practical information :

• Visit is meant to last 2 hours.

• Price rates
  - Private visit: 160 euros for your own group.

• Special offer Nantes + Clisson or Pornic or Guerande or Le Croisic, 2 private visit pack on the same day  : 280€. It is optionally possible to include transport with the tour (private guide and driver).

"Different perspectives in Nantes" visit

In addition to the visit in the heart of the city (same content as "Nantes, the Essential"), we will take some time to discover some more aspects for the city.

An area which is no longer an island, will tell us the history of trade in Nantes, in particular history of triangular trade which is closely linked with slavery. Nantes was the first slave-trading port in France. A unique memorial in France is telling us about this little known part of the past. This visit will show you how the city has evolved along the river Loire, turned towards west and ocean. The Loire which we will also cross so we can see a very different profile. Heading towards Nantes island, we will come across a wooden giant and his trump, some other strange metal inhabitants which are inherited form shipyards and just as weird buildings and projects.

Book a tour "Different perspectives in Nantes"

Practical information :

• Visit is meant to last 4 hours.

• Price rates
  - Private visit: 220 euros for your own group.

"Nantes, the overview"

Both literally and figuratively, we will go beyond what visits in the city centre and its island will have already shown us (see "Nantes the essential", and "Different perspectives in Nantes" descriptions). Looking over it, we will first enjoy it from a very beautiful viewpoint. We will then reach the left bank of Loire on a boat so we can better appreciate and feel this sailing past and we will then arrive in a former fishermen and Cape Horners' village. With this quiet and colored environment, the village is still nothing but common.

Book a tour "Nantes, the overview"

Practical information :

• Visit is meant to last 7 hours (with a lunch break according to your taste, we suggest some restaurants / snacks during the tour).

• Price rates
  - Private visit: 270 euros for your own group (it does not include your lunch).

How to come to Nantes

• By train from Paris in 2h (Montparnasse TGV), from Rennes in 1h20, from Tours and Loire valley castles in 2h. SNCF time schedule.
• By car : 380 km from Paris, 200 km from Loire valley castles, 100 km from Rennes, 350 km from Bordeaux.
• By plane, at the airport Nantes Atlantique.
• In Nantes you can easily move by tramway, bus, bike or on foot.
• With a private driver from your place / accommodation, the train station or the airport in Nantes. It avoids you some stress not to have to find a parking spot. Possibilities for private tours with a driver from Nantes to many places in Brittany (Le Croisic, Vannes, Rennes, Saint Malo, Mont Saint Michel, Carnac, ...), for up to 4 people. 

Agenda

• La Folle Journée is the annual rendez-vous for classical music. The largest classical music festival in France proposes an original program willing to forge links with other music styles. February 2023.
• Hip Opsession is a hip hop festival including concerts, battle dances and workshops. February 2023.
• Nantes Carnival takes place for about a week, sometimes with local giants in the parades. Late March - early April.
• Spring flea market on square Viarme during the first week-end of May (to be confirmed ; other dates in autumn, in late September - early October).
• A journey to Nantes. From late June to late August, downtown and a few areas in Nantes take on bright colors of modern art to make the discovery of the city even more pleasant. Many inventive creations and events around these places.
• Summertime (Aux heures d'été), is a festival blending arts and cultures from all over the world (concerts, shows, movies,readings). From early July till mid-August.
• Rendez-vous de l'Erdre. Very eclectic jazz artists meet on stages along the Erdre river (or even on the water!). It is a relaxed atmosphere to let yourself be gently rocked by various influenced music and the lights on the water.
  It is also the opportunity to enjoy beautiful sailing regatta on the Erdre river. From 2023 August, 22nd till 28th.
• Celtomania is the Celtic culture event in Nantes and in a few towns around, with concerts, fest noz, tales, strolls...  October - November.
• Utopiales is the Nantes International Science Fiction Festival mixing movies, litterature, science, comics, plastic art, role-playing and video games. From 2023 November, 1st till 5th.
• Festival Culture Bar Bars, 3 days of concerts in pubs and bars. The festival began in Nantes and spread across France. In late November.
• Festival des 3 Continents, a great opportunity to discover cinemas from Africa, Asia and South America. Late November.
  
  
• The International Floralies, is a major exhibition of temporary stunning gardens every five years. Next edition in May 2024 !

And many more informal events too!