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Esraa Mahmoud
Esraa Mahmoud
Set in the Loire-Atlantique department, Nantes is a prosperous medieval commercial port and used to be the capital of Brittany, France’s northwesternmost region. From your first step into the city, you will be immersed in its rich past, as walking through the cobblestone streets of Nantes’ old town will take you on a journey back in time.
However, this is not a city entirely of old locations only; Nantes is a thriving contemporary metropolis with a flourishing industrial sector and a sizable student population. A spectacular opera theatre, great restaurants, bustling cafés, and lively squares make up the city’s vibrant social life.
With so many activities and places to visit, Nantes offers many activities. Here is a list of the best things to do while you are there.
The Most Important Attraction In Nantes
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
When a building takes more than 400 years to complete, you know it will be unique- and the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul sure is! Construction of the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, or simply Nantes Cathedral, began in 1434 and wasn’t finished until 1891.
The bewitching, striking Gothic cathedral is listed as a historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture. Its Roman Catholic, white-stoned facade is 37.5 meters taller than the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Besides taking some seriously gorgeous photos while there, you must stop by the French masterpiece tomb of François II and Marguerite de Foix inside the cathedral. You also can’t miss the 11th-century Romanesque crypt, which presents an exhibition of the cathedral’s history, and don’t forget the excellent pipe organ.
The cathedral is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from 2:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. (until 7 p.m. in summer), and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
After taking your cathedral tour, we recommend a pleasant stroll in the nearby Parc de la Psallette. This lovely verdant courtyard has a view of the whole cathedral. Visiting the cathedral is one of the top things to do in Nantes.
Château des Ducs de Bretagne
Château des Ducs de Bretagne (The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) is another historical monument founded by Francois II and the French Ministry of Culture. The castle is located in the eastern part of the old town and used to be the centre of the last province of Brittany. The well-known Dukes of Brittany stayed at the castle between the 13th and 16th centuries.
The castle is one of Nantes’s most important attractions, and it would be a shame to visit the city without visiting the castle. After taking a tour from the outside to admire the impressive building, step inside to enjoy the beauty of the Musee d’Histoire de Nantes (Museum of History), which rests inside the castle’s Flamboyant Gothic halls.
Inside the Musee d’Histoire de Nantes, you will be introduced to the history of Nantes from its inception to the present day. The museum presents chronological and thematic exhibits about the city’s evolution and how it turned from slave trading to being an industrial port at times.
After enjoying your time at the museum, we recommend a nice meal at the castle’s café-restaurant, which serves regional specialities. Stop by the bookstore/gift shop for some good souvenirs to remember your trip; you can get notebooks, watercolour art, and candies.
Oh, Les Machines de l’Île!
If we have to choose only one thing to do while visiting Nantes, it would be to see the spectacular Les Machines de l’Île (The Machines of the Isle of Nantes). The dreamlike Les Machines de l’Île is like nothing you have ever seen; this unique amusement park is positioned on the banks of the Loire River.
Les Machines de l’Île presents a harmonious medley of the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci. The items inside the park are inspired by the writings of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci’s surreal gizmos. The interactive machines were brought to life thanks to the great work of the talented François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice.
After a few moments of taking the convivial ambience of the place, we recommend starting with the elephant in the room… No bun intended here! One of the most distinguished machines inside the park is the Grand Éléphant, which is 12 meters tall and carries 52 passengers on its back for a half-hour walking journey. Trust us; this will be one of the most exhilarating experiences you will ever have!
You haven’t ridden a carousel until you have tried The Carrousel des Mondes Marins. This is the best carousel you will ever ride in your life. The gigantic three-level structure carousel will take you on an extraordinary tour of this brilliant mechanical aquarium. The magic of this carousel includes every bit of it, even the seats that feature sculptures of marine creatures, fish, seashells, and sailboats.
A visit to the Machines of the Isle of Nantes is one of the best things to do while in Nantes. Full of fun and adventure, this is a treat for adults and children alike.
Quartier Bouffay
Bouffay is the oldest district in Nantes, and it doesn’t fail to impress with its beauty and old-world charm. Full of cobblestone streets and cute half-timbered houses, the Bouffay district is a must-visit for any visitor to Nantes.
After strolling the district, we recommend visiting the Place du Bouffay. Take some photos of the architectural masterpiece, then visit the retail shops in the palace’s square.
Make sure to finish your visit with a meal or a drink at one of the many restaurants there serving authentic crêperies. If you are not a fan of crêperies, we suggest trying one of the trendy restaurants serving ethnic cuisines like Japanese, Chinese, or Indian.
Jules Verne Museum
Did you know the famous novel Around the World in Eighty Days is French? Well, it is! Its original French name is Le Tour du Monde en Quatre-Vingts Jours, written by the renowned author Jules Verne. Jules was born in Nantes in 1828, and the Jules Verne Museum is dedicated to his work.
The museum is located inside a 19th-century bourgeoisie mansion on a hillside overlooking the Loire River. After snapping some good photos with the museum as the background, go inside for a journey into Verne’s history. You will see multimedia presentations, books, autographed manuscripts, posters, and objects from the author’s daily life.
The museum is open to the public from 2 pm to 6 pm and closed on Tuesdays. On Saturdays, it is also open in the morning from 10 am to 12 pm in addition to its afternoon hours from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Keep the Oysters Coming!
Well, this is a tricky one! Nantes is located at the meeting point between Brittany and the Loire Valley, and its location has affected its cuisine, resulting in unusual fusion. However, one of the most certain things about Nantes is that you will definitely eat some delicious seafood and fish.
We highly recommend dishes like Mussels, crabs, lobster, mullet king prawns, and seabass. A must-have while there are the oysters…. They are the best! They are even better when you have them with a light Muscadet that gets produced in the countryside outside Nantes. The perfect end to your good meal would be having some tasty Gâteau Nantais, a rum-soft pound cake.
Whether it’s museums, Les Machines de l’Île, or old-world charm, Nantes is full of amazing things to do for you and your children. It would be a shame not to have it on your bucket list. After a fantastic break in Nantes – why not consider the city of Nice? This travel post details some incredible things to do across France. Or consider a stop-off in Brittany. No matter what you decide, there is plenty to do, experience and drive enjoyment to any holiday.
