Free walking tours in Nantes and what to see

Must-sees

Nantes, on the Loire, was the capital of the Dukes of Brittany and is today an open, creative city. Its big visit is the Château des ducs de Bretagne, with ramparts you can walk for free and a museum of the city’s history inside. Close by, the cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul holds the Renaissance tomb of Duke Francis II. Between the two lies the Bouffay quarter, with medieval streets and half-timbered houses.

On the Île de Nantes are the Machines de l’île, in the old shipyards: the Great Elephant walks around with visitors on board and the Carousel of the Marine Worlds turns beside the river. Don’t miss the Passage Pommeraye, a 19th-century shopping arcade, or the Graslin district and the Île Feydeau, with their period façades. The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, on the quay, recalls the port’s slave-trading past. The green line painted on the ground links the main sights.

Free tours and guided visits

Nantes has a free walking tour of the historic centre, as well as guided tours, a private guided tour and the city pass, which bundles entry tickets and transport. You can round off your visit with a boat trip on the River Erdre, past châteaux and country houses. The choice also includes tickets for the Puy du Fou park, in the Vendée.

How long to spend

Two days covers the essentials: the château, the cathedral and Bouffay on the first, and the Machines de l’île, Graslin and the Jardin des Plantes on the second. If you add the Erdre boat trip or a day at Puy du Fou, allow three or four days. In summer, the Le Voyage à Nantes festival fills the city with street art.

Where to stay

The most practical place to stay is the centre, between Bouffay, the château and Place du Commerce, where everything is within walking distance. Near the station there are comfortable hotels if you arrive by train, a stone’s throw from the château and the Jardin des Plantes. The Île de Nantes is a modern alternative next to the Machines.