Where to stay in Nantes — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Nantes is a major city in western France on the banks of the Loire river, the former capital of Brittany. It stands out for the Château des Ducs de Bretagne and the giant walking mechanical elephant of Les Machines de l'île. The city has become a hub of contemporary art and creativity in France, with a green art trail that guides you past installations all over town. The atmosphere is relaxed and lively, energized by its student population.
Why stay in Nantes
Giant walking mechanical elephant
Les Machines de l'île, a 12-meter mechanical elephant that walks and sprays water, plus a sea-creature carousel.
Ducal castle
The Château des Ducs de Bretagne, a castle in the heart of town that tells the history of Brittany.
City of art
The Le Voyage à Nantes trail follows a green line through the city to show off contemporary art everywhere.
Gateway to the Loire châteaux
A starting point for exploring the Loire Valley, a land of World Heritage castles and vineyards.
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Local dishes to try in Nantes
- 1🦪
Atlantic seafood
Fresh oysters and mussels from the Atlantic coast near the city.
📍 Seafood restaurants - 2🧈
Beurre blanc
A tangy butter sauce served with fish, a traditional Nantes recipe.
📍 Bistros - 3🥞
Crêpes and galettes
Thin pancakes and buckwheat galettes Brittany-style, served with cider.
📍 Citywide - 4🍷
Muscadet white wine
A dry white wine from the vineyards around Nantes that pairs well with seafood.
📍 Wine bars - 5🍮
Far Breton
A Brittany-style prune pudding, dense, sweet and soft.
📍 Bakeries
- 1🐘
Les Machines de l'île
The giant walking mechanical elephant and the sea-creature carousel, marvelous works of mechanical art.
📍 Île de Nantes - 2🏰
Château des Ducs de Bretagne
A medieval castle with a city history museum; you can walk the ramparts for free.
📍 City center - 3⛪
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
A white-stone Gothic cathedral holding the marble tomb of the Dukes of Brittany.
📍 City center - 4🛍️
Passage Pommeraye
A three-level 19th-century shopping arcade with a beautiful staircase and carved detail.
📍 City center - 5🌳
Île de Versailles
A Japanese-garden island on the canal with waterfalls and bamboo, calm and quiet.
📍 Northern district - 6🎠
Tour LU
The tower of an old biscuit factory, a city landmark and art space.
📍 Near the castle
Things to do in Nantes
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Nantes — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Nantes hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 8.9Upper-midSōzō Hotel Nantes
#2 boutique in a former church · award-winning design
★ 8.8Upper-midOkko Hotels Nantes Château
#3 modern 4-star · all-inclusive Club Bar
★ 8.6Upper-midBest Western Plus Hôtel Graslin
#6 4-star boutique · on Place Graslin
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในNantes
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Oceania Hôtel de France Nantes
#1 Heritage 4-star · On Place Graslin in the cultural quarter
Radisson Blu Hotel Nantes
#4 International 4-star chain · heritage courthouse
Mercure Nantes Centre Gare
#5 Closest to the station · 4-star Mercure
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🚆 Getting around Nantes
Tramway
Three lines connect the train station, the castle, and the Île de Nantes, very convenient.
Follow the green line
The Le Voyage à Nantes art trail is painted as a green line that walks you past the city's highlights.
Bicloo bike share
A public bike system with docks all over town; you can ride along the Loire.
Navibus ferry
A passenger ferry crosses the Loire and pleasantly links the two sides of the city.
Where to go next near Nantes
ParisA metropolis on the Seine that brings together the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and world-class fashion streets.
See this city's guide →
LyonA World Heritage city between two rivers, famous for its food and its Renaissance old quarter.
See this city's guide →
MarseilleFrance's oldest port city on the Mediterranean, with a historic harbour and the cliffs of the Calanques.
See this city's guide →
BordeauxA World Heritage city on the Garonne, a global wine hub with elegant 18th-century architecture.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Nantes
Can you actually ride the Les Machines elephant?+
Yes, the giant mechanical elephant takes passengers on its back for a walk around the plaza while it sprays water. Buy tickets in advance.
How far is Nantes from Paris?+
Taking the high-speed TGV train from Paris to Nantes takes about 2 hours.
How many days are enough for Nantes?+
1-2 days is just right for the castle, the mechanical elephant, and the art trail, or use it as a base to explore the Loire Valley.
Ready to book your Nantes stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking