Book Olympic Air Flights to Nantes

Sightseeing in Nantes

The imposing 15^th century Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany), in the centre of the city is a characteristic landmark of Nantes. The former castle of the powerful Dukes of Brittany now houses multimedia exhibits relating to the city’s past and important documents on the slave trade that once flourished in the port of Nantes.

A sure hit for people of all ages, Les Machines de l'île de Nantes fantasy/adventure theme park is situated on the site of the former shipyards on the île de Nantes, a little island in the middle of the Loire. Take a ride around the square on the back of the giant, 12-metre-tall, mechanical elephant, which can carry up to 50 people at a time or see the huge Carrousel des Mondes Marines (Marine Worlds Carousel), straight from the pages of a book by Jules Verne.
Address: Parc des Chantiers, 0033 810121225, www.lesmachines-nantes.fr

Don’t miss the strikingly renovated Musée d’ Arts (Nantes Museum of Fine Arts) houses, in its beautifully embellished new spaces, masterpieces from the 13^th to the 21^st century by famous artists including Chagall, Tintoretto, Picasso, Kandinsky, Monet.
Address: 10 Rue Georges Clemenceau, 0033 2 51 17 45 00, https://museedartsdenantes.nantesmetropole.fr/en/home.html

The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul took no fewer than 457 years to complete. Admire its imposingly minimalist interior and the tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture.
Address: Place Saint-Pierre, 0033 240478464, https://cathedrale-nantes.fr

Visit the fascinating Jules Verne museum, housed in a 19^th century mansion on the banks of the River Loire, where you can browse the first editions of the books of Nantes’ native son, theatre stage sets and manuscripts. Admire also the models of Jules Verne’s futuristic machines, as well as the telescope focussed on the river that was the inspiration for the watery universe of Verne’s novels.
Address: 3 Rue de l’ Hermitage, 0033 240697252, https://julesverne.nantesmetropole.fr/home.html

Exploring Nantes

Stroll through Nantes’ historic centre to admire the granite-paved Place Royal (Royal Square), meeting point of nine roads (Crébillon, de la Fosse, de Gorges, La Pérouse, d'Orléans, du Commandant-Boulay, de l'Arche-Sèche, Saint-Julien and des Vieilles-Douves). Admire its lovely fountain, inaugurated in 1865, which represents Nantes and the Loire River with its 4 tributaries: the Erdre, Sevre, Cher and Loiret.

Explore the pedestrianised historic and tourist-oriented Bouffay neighbourhood and soak in the atmosphere created by the medieval timber-framed buildings, picturesque pedestrian streets, restaurants, creperies, cafes and fine boutiques.

Take a walk in the Jardin des Plantes park in the centre of Nantes. Created by order of Louis XIV it is one of the loveliest and largest botanic gardens in France and among the city’s most popular attractions, with hundreds of species of plants, ponds and impressive topiary.
Address: Rue Stanislas Baudry, 0033 2 40 41 65 09.

Take a cruise along the River Erdre, on one of the river boats run by Bateaux Nantais enjoying the view of the chic chateaus on the way. There is commentary by a travel guide and the option of having lunch or dinner on board.
Address: Quai de la Motte Rouge, 0033 240145114.

Follow the idyllic Estuaire itinerary, an open-air arts trail, along the River Loire to its mouth at Saint-Nazaire, on foot, by bike, or, in summer, also by cruise boat. Along its 60-kilometre stretch, on the banks of the Loire, you will spot interesting art installations and artworks.
Address: Nantes information office, 1-3 rue Crucy, 00332 40 75 75 07, www.estuaire.info/fr

The Voyage à Nantes has, since 2012, become a yearly event. A marked trail that ‘’guides’’ walkers through an open-air exhibition of artworks across the city. www.levoyageanantes.fr

Visit the île de Versailles, an artificial, 1.7-hectare-island on the north side of the city with its renovated Japanese garden, Jardin Japonais.

Shopping

In the city centre you should seek out the small but very appealing shopping centre known as Passage Pommeraye. It’s worth visiting not just for the shopping but to get a close look at this aristocratic arcade from the 19^th century, which links two roads on different levels and is decorated with statues in the ancient Greek style.

Here too you will find Nantes main shopping street, rue Crébillon, which is so popular that locals have created their own verb in reference to it, 'Crébillonner', which roughly translates to "window shopping".

Another good place with many boutiques and shops is the pedestrianised, medieval and tourist-oriented Bouffay neighbourhood.

It is also worth visiting some of the open-air markets, such as the one on Viarme Square, held on Saturday mornings, which sells antiques and bric-a-brac, old editions of works by Jules Berne, black-and-white postcards of Nantes and old dinner services in fine French china.

Food & Entertainment

The cuisine of Nantes is a delightful blend of flavours from Brittany and the Loire region, with exotic influences brought into the port by sailors from all around the world.

Seafood naturally plays a leading role in many of the city’s traditional dishes: cod, lobster, red snapper, crab, prawns from the nearby Atlantic coast as well as river fish including eel and trout, abound. In many restaurants fish dishes are served with a beurre blanc sauce and are perfectly paired with a Muscadet wine.

You should also try the superb local vegetables and the Curé nantais and Machecoulais cheeses made from cow’s milk.

Moreover, Nantes has a long tradition in confectionery and is the home of the famous petit beurre biscuits, which were made in the city’s historic biscuit factory. In the city’s patisseries and chocolate shops look out for sweets including berlingots and butter caramels, as well as the famous Nantes cake made with almonds and Antilles rum. And why not enjoy some of the city’s excellent crepes, available in every imaginable variety – sweet or savoury – at the city’s creperies.

Nantes is truly a university city which comes alive particularly at night! There are clubs and bars on the Île de Nantes, up-and-coming hot spots along the Saint-Félix canal and dance nights with international DJs in the atmospheric former biscuit factory – still redolent of sugar and butter – on the Quai Ferdinand-Favre.

Cultural Events

The well-established 3 Continents Festival, held each year in November since 1979, showcases films and documentaries from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Every February, with the ‘’Nantes Day of Madness’’, (Folle Journée), the city pays homage to classical music, hosting one of the most important festivals of its kind in France. The festival takes its name from the alternative title to Beaumarchais’ ‘’Marriage of Figaro’’ – La Folle Journée’, or Day of Madness.

If you happen to be in Nantes in June, do not miss the unique Fragrant Rose Biennale competition, held in La Beaujoire gardens. Here judges, perfume-makers, garden designers and botanists of international standing, come together to select the most fragrant rose!

No hometown of Jules Verne would be complete without a science fiction festival and Nantes proudly hosts Les Utopiales, every Autumn!

Transport from the airport

Nantes Atlantique airport is located just 10 km from the city of Nantes. To get into the city from the airport you can take the “Navette Aéroport” shuttle bus, which goes to the city’s main rail station. The journey takes around 20 minutes\ and the bus departs every 20 minutes, from Monday to Saturday, and every 30 minutes on Sundays and public holidays. Get your ticket online, from ticket machines or on board directly from the shuttle driver. The bus is wheelchair accessible.

If you take a taxi, expect to pay around 30-35 euros for the journey from the airport to Nantes city centre.

Ideal for walks, bike rides and cruises, youthful and extremely artistic Nantes has something for everyone. Book a flight to Nantes on Olympic Air’s site and discover the birthplace of Jules Verne!