Things to do in Nantes
The old heart of Nantes, on the River Loire's north bank, was once capital of Brittany, ruled by its dukes. On the edge of the historic Bouffay quarter, their beautifully restored Château des Ducs de Bretagne, housing the Nantes History Museum, remains the dominant sight. For a great overview of the more modern city centre, climb another landmark, the colourful Tour LU. Most attractions open around 10am-6pm/7pm. Some close Monday or Tuesday.
Nantes Museum of Fine Arts
Outstanding art collection
Located in a grand 19th-century city centre building, the Nantes Museum of
Fine Arts displays one of western France's most interesting collections.
These include fine sculptures and paintings from the 13th century to the
present, including some exceptional modern works.
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Cost
€3.50, concessions €2, children free; special exhibitions: €6
Opening Hours
Wed-Mon 10am-6pm (until 8pm Thu)
Address
10, rue Georges-Clemenceau, Nantes 44000
Telephone
+33 (0) 2 51 17 45 00
Transport
Busway 4 to Foch Cathédral or bus no 11, 12, 21, 22, 23 to Cathédrale, Trébuchet
Website
Château des Ducs de Bretagne
Renaissance palace and museum
Mighty stone ramparts surround the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, on the edge
of the historic Bouffay quarter. Within the walls, grand white Renaissance
buildings house Nantes History Museum, giving a vivid overview of the city's
past, present and future.
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Cost
Courtyard, ramparts, gardens: free; Museum: €5; concessions free-€3; children free
Opening Hours
Jul-Aug: exterior daily 9am-8pm (until 11pm Sat); museum daily 9.30am-7pm; Sep-Jun: exterior 10am-7pm; museum Wed-Mon 10am-6pm
Address
4, place Marc Elder, Nantes 44000
Telephone
+33 (0) 2 51 17 49 48
Transport
Tram 1, Busway no 4 to Duchesse Anne Château, or bus no 11, 12, 21, 23 to Foch Cathédrale, no 24, 56 to Monteil
Website
LU Tower
Unmissable landmark tower
The eye-catching Tour LU, or LU Tower, rises above the city centre and is a
symbol of Nantes. This extraordinarily colourful and ornate domed tower,
part of the city's industrial heritage, is open to visitors and offers
panoramic city views.
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Cost
€2; under 12 yrs free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 1pm-7pm; Sun 3pm-7pm
Address
2, quai Ferdinand Favre, Nantes 44000
Telephone
+33 (0) 2 40 12 14 34
Transport
Tram no 2 to Restaurant Universitaire, or bus no 52, 70 to Boulevard Eugène Orieux
Website
Nantes Cathedral
Gothic masterpiece
Nantes Cathedral, rising in the city centre, was the last Gothic church ever
built in France, completed in the 19th century. The exterior is austere, but
the interior beautiful and impressive, with a vast pale nave and Renaissance
royal tombs.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 8:30am-7pm (6pm in winter)
Address
Place St-Pierre, Nantes 44000
Telephone
+33 (0) 2 40 47 84 64
Transport
Busway 4 to Foch Cathédral or bus no 11, 12, 21, 22, 23 to Cathédrale
Machines of the Isle
Giant mechanical elephant ride
The Machines of the Isle (Les Machines de l'Ile) are gigantic, bizarre
and delightful mechanical animals located on the Ile de Nantes, the Loire
river island in central Nantes. You can even take a 45-minute tour on the
12-metre-high elephant!
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Cost
€6.50; concessions €5; under-4s free
Opening Hours
Winter Tue-Sun 2pm-6pm; summer Tue-Sun 10am-7pm; closed early Jan-early Feb
Address
Les Chantiers, boulevard Léon Bureau, Nantes 44200
Telephone
(France only) 0810 12 12 25
Botanical Gardens
An array of flowers
The Botanical Gardens (Jardin des Plantes) in the city centre, laid
out over 200 years ago, is an elaborate and peaceful garden with
greenhouses, ponds, covered walkways and an outstanding collection of
camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias.
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Cost
€3; concessions & children free
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct daily 8.30am-8pm (until 5.30pm/6.30pm rest of year)
Address
Boulevard Stalingrad, Nantes 44000
Telephone
+33 (0) 2 40 41 65 09
