16 Must-Know Secrets to Discover Nantes France Like a Local. Nantes Travel guide 2026
First time in Nantes? Let me show you the spots you simply can’t miss. I’ve narrowed it down to the best must sees plus one hidden gem locals secretly love. And to make your trip easier, I’ve collected all the links and insider tips for you in the description. Number one, visit Iglise Notre Dame De Bon Port right. By the Loire, this basilica gives you peace after the busy port. Step inside now. This filtered light creates such a calm, beautiful atmosphere for you. Late afternoon is best. Watch the sunset warm the stone. It feels so peaceful here. Please keep your voices low here. You are in a place of worship, so be respectful of any structure still stands today. There are peaceful seating areas and benches right outside the entrance where you can sit, reflect and enjoy the impressive architecture. Number two, explore Nantes Cathedral. This huge bright space took four hundred fifty years. Walk right in, entry is free, and see the famous tombs. Number two, explore Nantes Cathedral. Number three, visit the Nantes Art Museum. Access is simple. You are right next to the main station. Bring comfortable shoes and plan for a half day. Explore the nearby streets for a local cafe. Access is simple. You are right next to the main station. Number four. See the Nanti skyline. Let’s take the lift up the Tour de Bretagne. Here, you get the amazing 360 degree view of the whole city. Bring your best camera because the light changes beautifully church perfectly balances the modern design of the Anne De Breton Bridge across the water. The rivers made Nantes a powerful city. You can see this unique maritime layout everywhere. Try a short river cruise for the best views. See the skyline from unique angles. Number five, visit Jardine Extraordinaire Waterfalls. You descend into this former quarry feeling immediately surrounded by giant cliffs and tropical plants. Wear good shoes. After enjoying the view, remember to bring your water bottle especially on warmer days as the climbs can be steep. Enjoy these 25 meter falls. The paths are wet so please watch your step closely. Please remember that this is a protected ecosystem. Stick to the marked trails to preserve the rare exotic plant life here. This amazing transformation happened in a space that was once a working granite quarry. It truly highlights the ingenuity of Nantes. You will find restrooms and resting spots conveniently along the seven Belveders walk as you explore the levels. Number six, see the tour baton. Take the quick lift up now see the whole city. Bring your camera and binoculars to truly enjoy this incredible panoramic view. Enjoy the views of the entire region. It gets breezy so check the weather often. Visit the nest, Lanide. You will love the views. While built in the nineteen seventies, the tower quickly became a modern icon contrasting beautifully with Nantes older historical architecture below. Visit near sunset, you get the best view here. Number seven, walk along the Loire River. From Nante, modern bridges help you easily reach the beautiful quays. Put on your walking shoes, bring a light jacket even in summer. Water levels change fast here. Please stay within the barriers for your safety. You will see cyclists. Keep right and listen for their bells. This beautiful river wasn’t just scenery. It was the essential highway for moving goods across France. Enjoy a riverside cafe or picnic lunch while big barges float right past you. Number eight, explore the Ile De Nantes district. You are steps away from the magnificent machines. Good news, they run daily. Jules Verne inspired these mechanical wonders. Bring your sense of wonder to explore this unique park. See the beautiful modern buildings. This safe, lovely path is perfect for your evening walk. Watch for local bikes while you soak up the energy of this vibrant French city. Shipyards built boats here long ago. Now, you see Nantes’ transformation and urban innovation. Number nine, explore the medieval Quartier buffet. Enjoy these hidden corners and timber houses. To navigate easily, just follow the street bustle. Wear comfy shoes to walk these beautiful streets. Stop often for a delicious prep. Number 10, walk through Jardin Des Plants. Forget the ticket. These beautiful tropical greenhouses are completely free for you to enjoy. Bring your camera to capture the whimsical art installations like the giant sleeping cat and famous plant sculptures throughout the park. Number 11, visit Le Lyot unique cultural center. You can see the historic LU Tower now. It stands where the canal meets the Loire. Number 11, visit Le Lyot unique cultural center. Number 12, See the Basilica Of Saint Nicolas. Its soaring spires dominate the skyline making this magnificent gothic landmark easily accessible right in the city center. Bring your camera or binoculars to truly see the high detailed carvings. Enjoy the beautiful details but watch the crowds around you. Step inside, pause and keep this space peaceful. Please silence your phone completely. Huatitu severely damaged this spot. They lovingly rebuilt it so you can enjoy this view today. Leaving the basilica, you can now enjoy great cafes and charming shops right nearby. Tu severely damaged this spot. They lovingly rebuilt it so you can enjoy this view today. Number 13, sail on the Erdre River. Rent a small electric boat here to glide past historic locks and the beautiful follies. You should pack lunch, find a quiet cove and enjoy your relaxing picnic right here. Enjoy this calm shallow water. It makes sailing secure. Follow the markers to easily find your way. Number 14, see the Louis the sixteenth column. At place, you will notice the column is surprisingly recent built to honor Louis the sixteenth long after his execution. Bring your camera. The view looking up the column toward the stunning Saint Pierre Cathedral is truly iconic. The square is always busy with traffic, so be mindful when moving around the base of the statue. Number 15, explore the castle of Dukes of Brittany. Walk along the ramparts and look down at the city. The free courtyard instantly brings you history. Number 16, walk across Pont Anne De Bretagne. Enjoy the wide sidewalks. It is an easy walk. Sunset offers the perfect magical view. From here, the Notre Dame view is perfect. Bring your camera for this beautiful Nantes skyline. If you’re planning your next trip or just can’t get enough of hidden gems and wild places, watch this next. Don’t miss the destination I almost didn’t want to share. It’s that good. It’s right here. Click, and I’ll see you there. 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Planning your trip to Nantes, France? Our travel guide covers the 16 best things to do in Nantes. Discover the top attractions in Nantes, from the mechanical wonders of the Île de Nantes to the historic Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and the peaceful banks of the Erdre River. This guide provides essential tips for exploring this vibrant artistic city.
00:14 1. Visit Eglise Notre-Dame de Bon-Port ⛪ Right by the Loire, this basilica gives you peace after the busy port. Late afternoon is best to watch the sunset warm the stone, creating a calm, beautiful atmosphere. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Nantes%20Basilica&partner_id=HF75GAQ
01:03 2. Explore Nantes Cathedral Walk right in, as entry is free, to see this huge bright space that took 450 years to build. Inside, you can see the famous tombs. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Nantes%20Cathedral&partner_id=HF75GAQ
01:17 3. Visit the Nantes Art Museum 🎨 Access is simple as you are right next to the main station. Bring comfortable shoes and plan for a half day to explore. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Nantes%20Art%20Museum&partner_id=HF75GAQ
01:34 4. See the Nantes Skyline Take the lift up the Tour de Bretagne where you get an amazing 360-degree view of the whole city. Bring your best camera because the light changes beautifully here. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Tour%20de%20Bretagne&partner_id=HF75GAQ
02:17 5. Visit Jardin Extraordinaire Waterfalls 🌿 Descend into this former quarry to feel immediately surrounded by giant cliffs and tropical plants. Enjoy the 25-meter falls, but stick to the marked trails to preserve the rare exotic plant life. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Jardin%20Extraordinaire%20Nantes&partner_id=HF75GAQ
03:06 6. See the Tour de Bretagne (Le Nid) Take the quick lift up to see the whole city and visit the nest, “Le Nid”. The tower is a modern icon that contrasts beautifully with Nantes’ older historical architecture below. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Nantes%20Tour%20de%20Bretagne&partner_id=HF75GAQ
03:41 7. Walk along the Loire River 🚶♂️ Put on your walking shoes to explore the beautiful quays, which were once the essential highway for moving goods across France. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Loire%20River%20Nantes&partner_id=HF75GAQ
04:17 8. Explore the Île de Nantes District 🐘 You are steps away from the magnificent machines inspired by Jules Verne. See how shipyards that built boats long ago have transformed into a hub of urban innovation. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Machines%20of%20the%20Isle%20of%20Nantes&partner_id=HF75GAQ
04:47 9. Explore the Medieval Quartier Bouffay Enjoy the hidden corners and timber houses in this historic district. Follow the street bustle to navigate easily and stop often for a delicious crepe. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Bouffay%20Nantes&partner_id=HF75GAQ
05:05 10. Walk through Jardin des Plantes 🌸 These beautiful tropical greenhouses are completely free for you to enjoy. Bring your camera to capture whimsical art installations like the giant sleeping cat. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Jardin%20des%20Plantes%20Nantes&partner_id=HF75GAQ
05:20 11. Visit Le Lieu Unique See the historic LU Tower standing where the canal meets the Loire. This cultural center is a key landmark of the city. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Le%20Lieu%20Unique&partner_id=HF75GAQ
05:33 12. See the Basilica of Saint Nicolas Its soaring spires dominate the skyline, making this magnificent gothic landmark easily accessible. Though severely damaged in the past, they lovingly rebuilt it so you can enjoy the view today. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Basilica%20of%20Saint%20Nicolas&partner_id=HF75GAQ
06:18 13. Sail on the Erdre River ⛵ Rent a small electric boat here to glide past historic locks and beautiful follies. The calm, shallow water makes sailing secure. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Erdre%20River&partner_id=HF75GAQ
06:39 14. See the Louis XVI Column At the Place, you will notice the column built to honor Louis XVI long after his execution. The view looking up the column toward the stunning Saint Pierre Cathedral is truly iconic. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Nantes%20City%20Tour&partner_id=HF75GAQ
07:03 15. Explore the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany 🏰 Walk along the ramparts and look down at the city. The free courtyard instantly brings you into history. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Castle%20of%20the%20Dukes%20of%20Brittany&partner_id=HF75GAQ
07:13 16. Walk across Pont Anne de Bretagne 🌉 Enjoy the wide sidewalks for an easy walk, where sunset offers the perfect magical view. 🔗 Here: https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Pont%20Anne%20de%20Bretagne&partner_id=HF75GAQ
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