Nantes, France 🇫🇷 6 Must-See Stops from Castle to Garden
Nantes offers a variety of must-see attractions, blending history, art, and unique experiences. Top highlights include the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, Les Machines de l’ÃŽle, and the Nantes Cathedral. Other notable places include the Passage Pommeraye, Jardin des Plantes, and the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery,. this is a recommended itinerary for seeing Nantes in just 3 hours just like I did when in Nantes, expect a balanced experience of history design plus whimsical offbeat charm here are 6 must see stops that gives you a real feel for this former Breton capital, all easily done while waiting for your next train ready for the sprint? let’s explore Nantes from castle to garden in just 3 hours, come along I need to go to southern France Toulouse from Mont Saint Michel instead of going directly from Paris to Toulouse via TGV I am now taking the western route via the coast I am now on the second leg of my journey from Mont Saint Michel via Rennes, then Nantes then onward to Bordeaux and finally Toulouse what you’re seeing outside the train is the scenic western route so I have to make individual train journeys from Rennes, Nantes Bordeaux and finally Toulouse I will be covering 117 kilometres from Rennes and with this today segment that brings me to nearly 1183 KM travelled so far from Zurich I am just off the train and into Nantes I have got exactly 3 hours to see as much of this city charm as I can before my next train Nantes surprises me instantly, it is a city wrapped in greenery even the train tracks are soft with turf grass just off the train and into the city Nantes greets me with this top attraction just a stone throw away this is the Château des ducs de Bretagne what an entrance into the castle through the gates! it’s really fits all my expectation of a castle gate with a drawbridge that can be raised or lowered this castle feels straight out of the Games of Thrones with this grand granite walls Gothic tower and is one of the most accessible fortresses by public transport built in the 15th century it was the residence of Breton dukes before Brittany joined France in 1532 its 500-meter ramparts punctuated by 7 towers offer free panoramic view and the best part is just a ten-minute leisure walk from the train station making it one of the most accessible royal castles in France this is Nantes old town the historical heart of the former Breton capital this is Quartier Bouffay the medieval core of Nantes clobber stone streets 15 to 16th century timber frame houses and vibrant cafe by day is buzzing with lunch crowd this district thrives with cafe Boutique, shops and historical architecture on streets at the heart of Bouffay sits Place du Bouffay Place du Bouffay was once the execution square during the French Revolution today this is one of the city most coveted spots for drinks and people watching just like many other European cities there are many squares or plazas one may gate crash into one such square that I pass through is Place du Commerce which is a historical trade hub by the Loire as I entered Place Royale I am stepping into the vision of Nantes 18th century city planners it is a symphony of symmetry frame by Neo classic facades Place Royale in Nantes is a charming city square situated right in the heart of the town it is surrounded by elegant 18th century buildings the square featured a lovely fountain and a grand statue of Louis XVI it is a pedestrian friendly area so you can stroll around without worrying about traffic just steps away you will find Basilique Saint Nicolas one of France’s earliest neo-Gothic churches built between the year 1844 and 1869 it rises nearly one hundred meters unusually orientated north-south due to its narrow city plot and this basilica is bombed heavily in the year 1943 it wasn’t fully rebuilt until the year 1974 and the exterior stone restoration continue until the year 2013 still walking inside the soaring arches and bright stained glasses making this basilica one of Nantes most inspirational building structures I am strolling on the Crébillon street Crébillon street is Nantes premier shopping street and is lined with high end boutiques for fashion and fine jewellery but on Sunday these streets transform into a lively flea market, antique finds clothes stands and a buzzing crowd perfect for people watching just be careful of the petty theft that might loiter around this area just steps away from here lies Nantes architectural crown jewel Passage Pommeraye this is Nantes iconic three level covered shopping arcade the star of this shopping arcade is the grand staircase in the middle and the ornate decoration added to the unique atmosphere what makes Passage Pommeraye unique in Europe is the bold, sloping layout three retail levels that are linked by a monument staircase Passage Pommeraye still looks very much like it did when it first opened and remains one of Europe’s most beautiful indoor shopping arcade notably it was recognized as a historical monument in the year 1976 leaving the Old Town behind I am heading towards the river Loire to explore an island in the middle of the Loire River this island is called ÃŽle de Nantes once a shipyard now a thriving creative zone that blends history art and mechanical fantasy since the year 2007 the former shipyard is transformed into the world-famous Les Machines de l’Île surreal mashup of Jules Verne like imagination industrial heritage and da Vinci style engineering meets Le Grand Éléphant 12 meters tall 8 meters wide 21 meters long and weighing around 48 ton this big mechanical elephant is powered by hydraulics and guided by a hybrid motor it is the world’s first eco-friendly mechanical elephant and powered by hydraulics in motion also step into the gallery of machines (La Galerie des Machines) this is a living workshop where mechanist animates creatures you can see mechanical heron with 8 meters wing span and giant spiders, ants butterflies and more you can even help operate them this isn’t just an attraction it’s architecture in motion I wish I could have stayed for the full elephant parade but remember I have only got three hours here if there’s a next trip I would have come back just to watch it again time to head back to the train station but this experience alone proves ÃŽle de Nantes deserve a second visit, let’s go strolling along the Loire River bank I paused at the striking sunken building structure embattled in the quay this is the memorial to the abolition of slavery the world’s largest memorial dedicated to the slave trade I have not realized how deep France’s involvement ran until I stood here situated exactly where slave ship once departed this memorial commemorates Nantes role following the stairs underground the tunnel narrows mirroring the cramped holds on the slave ships on one side the Loire peeps through the pillars; on the other the frosted glass panel display the universal declaration of human rights highlighted by freedom in 47 languages I need to quickly hasten my pace towards the train station I am now retracing my steps back to Gare de Nantes drifting through the scenic snapshot I have walked earlier today in just about two hours I cover a surprise number of medieval alleys, grand arcade mechanical wonder and peaceful gardens Nantes prove far more layered than I expected just when I thought I have completed all the sites I am visiting when I reach Nantes train station I realize I have a good 45 minutes before the train departs so I might still have some time to squeeze in another attraction guess what? right in front of Nantes train station lies the Jardin des Plantes or Nantes Botanic Garden in English I originally had my doubts: how good can a place so close to the train station be? well it turns out I was totally wrong this 7-hectare garden hosts over 11 thousand species of plants including a staggering 600 varieties of camellias as a matter of fact, Nantes Botanic Garden is ranked among the top five botanical collections in France this botanic garden is fully accessible from the train station and free entry it is built as part of Nantes green city vision and hosted nearly half a million visitors a year The garden is especially known for its impressive collection of camellias that is a highlight that draws visitors from near and far there are a couple of greenhouses within the premise but I only have time to visit only one of them to soak up the atmosphere beyond greenery, the garden surprises us with playful art there is also installation that transform walkways into visual stories this garden is both sensory and structured ideal for slowing down after a frantic sightseeing perfect for a gentle finale or peaceful pause before catching your train now I am back at the train station in France, platforms are only announced about 20 minutes before boarding so everyone crowds around the blue departure box waiting for that magic moments to sprint across the concourse thanks for walking with me in Nantes if you have got just a layover or train connection a quick visit into a Nantes is worth every minute until the next journey, Bon voyage and if you like what you see earlier please drop a like and comment and if you are new to this channel kindly consider subscribing to this channel and I see you in the next city of Bordeaux
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Embark on a whirlwind tour through Nantes, France, with 6 must-see highlights—from the grand Château des Ducs de Bretagne to the serene beauty of the Jardin des Plantes. Join me as we wander medieval streets, ride the giant mechanical elephant at Les Machines de l’Île, explore the artistic gem Passage Pommeraye, reflect at the powerful Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, and lose ourselves in the floral wonderland at the botanical garden—all within one unforgettable itinerary.
Whether you’re planning a quick layover, day trip, or wanting the city’s best photo spots, this video covers top-rated sights, gentle pacing, and insider tips for navigating the compact, art-filled charm of Nantes.
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Timecodes:
00:00 6 must see places in Nantes France
00:41 Gare de Remmes to Gare de Nantes
01:58 Nantes Gare de Nantes
02:28 Château des ducs de Bretagne is France most accessible castle
03:49 Getting lost in Nantes old city
04:24 Place du Bouffay, Place du Commerce, Place Royale and Basilique Saint‑Nicolas
06:38 Rue Crébillon & Passage Pommeraye
08:10 “Île de Nantes & the Grand Éléphant
10:29 Memorial to the Abolition of SlaveryÂ
12:14 Nantes Botanic Garden
14:29 From Nantes to Bordeaux by train
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