What to see in Nantes: 30 plans in the capital of Normandy
Hometown of Jules Verne and starting point for a trip through the Loire Valley – Nantes (former capital of the Duchy of Brittany) is one of the most interesting cities in the North of France . We already told you that it is a very particular city , because among the main attractions to see in Nantes you will not only find historical monuments , interesting museums , but also quite peculiar works of art , some even surreal .
In one day you can get to know the essence of this modern , cosmopolitan and avant-garde city , but we recommend that you spend at least a weekend getting to know its corners and surroundings . We have visited the city on our route through the Loire Castles and we bring you this guide with 30 essential things to see in Nantes .
What to see in Nantes – Day 1. The essence
1. The green line of Nantes
One of the most interesting initiatives in the city is the Green Line . It is a 12-kilometre route (marked on the ground with a green line) that runs through more than fifty points . Pretty squares, historic buildings, beautiful fountains and many works of art (some temporary installations) are part of this super interesting route. It is worth doing at least part of this route on foot or by bike.
2. Lu Tower
We begin our tour of the most interesting places to visit in Nantes in front of the LU Tower (Unique Place), a colourful and photogenic tower with its dome with windows. It is a tower of the former factory of the famous Nantes biscuits . The two original towers of the factory (built in 1909) were destroyed during the Second World War and the LU Tower is the only one of the two towers that has been restored.
If you want, inside the tower you can see a small exhibition about the history of the factory and you can climb to the top using the curious machine called Gyrorama . The rest of the factory facilities house an art centre with exhibitions of all kinds from music to visual arts. You will also find a spa, a library and places for dining and leisure here.
3. Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
Nearby the LU Tower is the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany). This is a walled fortress whose history dates back to the 20th century. Within the fortress grounds you will see buildings of different styles, some Gothic , others Renaissance . The latter date back to the time of Anne of Brittany , former Queen of France. During its history the castle had various uses from ducal residences to barracks or bunkers during the occupation of the country by the Nazis during the Second World War.
For us, one of the best things to do in Nantes is to walk on the castle walls (entry is free). As well as admiring this historic fortress, its moat and its gardens, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city from different angles. Inside the castle you can visit the Nantes History Museum (located in the Crown Tower) where you can learn about the history of the city from its beginnings to the present day through original objects, models, maps and photos.
4. Take a free tour of Nantes
One of the best ways to get to know the city in an enjoyable way is to take this free tour of the essentials of Nantes . This guided tour is the best way to get to know the main monuments of the historic center of the city.
5. Nantes Cathedral
Another of the must-see historical buildings in Nantes is the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul . If you have visited the impressive cathedrals in the North of France (Chartres, Reims, etc.) perhaps from the outside it will not seem so spectacular, but it is still worth seeing its white stone façade and its two majestic towers . The construction of the Cathedral began in the mid-15th century and it took almost five centuries to complete. Inside, the highlights are the very high vaults , the Romanesque crypt and the tomb of Francis , the last Duke of Brittany.
6. Saint Pierre Gate
Near the Cathedral, it is worth taking a look at the Porte Saint-Pierre . This is one of the old medieval gates that gave access to the city. Unfortunately, the rest of the walls of Nantes have disappeared.
7. Psalmist
Still very close to the Cathedral is one of our favourite spots in the city. It is La Psalette , a picturesque Gothic building from the 15th century, surrounded by gardens where you can breathe peace at any time of day.
8. Nantes Art Museum
Continuing the tour from the Cathedral towards the Jardin des Plantes, you will find one of the most interesting museums to visit in Nantes. This is the Nantes Museum of Fine Arts . Before entering the museum, you should take a look at its elegant façade with a monumental staircase and seven statues representing the different arts .
The museum recently reopened after years of restoration and houses a comprehensive collection of paintings , photos , videos and all kinds of art installations from ancient art to contemporary works. In the museum you will find works by Monet , Picasso and many other artists of international stature.
9. Garden of Plants
The Jardin des Plantes is, without a doubt, another of the places in the city that you cannot miss. This vast green space , with tens of thousands of plants , centuries-old trees , beautiful ponds and large greenhouses , is one of the largest and most important botanical gardens in the country . And, unlike anywhere else in Nantes, there is no shortage of works of art here either . Wandering around the park you will find countless hidden characters and all kinds of artistic installations.
10. Bouffay District
Nantes has several characterful neighbourhoods , one of our favourites being the Bouffay District which stretches out around the square of the same name. This is the historic heart of the city with its pedestrian streets and half- timbered houses .
It is interesting to know that in ancient times the Place Bouffay was the site of public executions , whereas today it is a picturesque corner with a small covered market and several cafés with their terraces. If you want to lose yourself in the streets of the district, don’t miss the beautiful Maison des Apothicaires .
11. Tour of Brittany
The Tour Bretagne (Brittany Tower) is the only skyscraper in Nantes. Unfortunately, it is currently (from 2020 to possibly 2028) closed to the public for a major renovation and transformation into a luxury hotel. When it reopens, it will once again be the best viewing platform in Nantes offering magnificent 360-degree panoramic views over the city.
12. Place Royal
The city of Nantes has several beautiful squares , one of the most notable being the Place Royal . It is a pedestrian square presided over by a large monumental fountain that pays homage to the Loire River and its tributaries. You will also find several bars and shops here.
13. Pommeray Passage
The best way to get from Place Royale to Place Graslin is to go through the Passage Pommeray , another of the most photogenic spots to see in Nantes . This is a shopping arcade with a magnificent glass roof very similar to what you find in the arcades of Paris, Milan and other European cities. The arcade was built in 1843 and its particularity is that it has three floors decorated with beautiful statues representing traditional guilds .
14. Place Graslin
Crossing the Passage Pommeray you will reach another of the city’s legendary squares, Place Graslin . Presided over by the building of the Graslin Theatre and surrounded by buildings that recall the atmosphere of elegant Parisian neighbourhoods , the square is also home to La Cigale , Nantes’ most iconic restaurant , which many consider to be the most beautiful in the world. Even if you don’t intend to eat there (it’s quite expensive), don’t miss going in to see its beautiful decoration.
15. Machines of the Island
We’ve already told you that the city has many unique corners . The Machines of the Island is, without a doubt, the most unique place to visit in Nantes and a great plan with children. It is a park inspired by the world of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci ‘s designs with animal machines . The most spectacular creation is a giant elephant 12 meters high .
