The picture shows a panoramic shot of a castle reflected in a calm pool of water and surrounded by houses. A tram can be seen on the left. The trees to the left and right of the picture are bare. The sky is partly streaked with clouds.
The picture shows a panoramic shot of a castle reflected in a calm pool of water and surrounded by houses. A tram can be seen on the left. The trees to the left and right of the picture are bare. The sky is partly streaked with clouds.

Nantes – a cultural city on the Loire

Published: 21 November 2024, 13:30

Overlook the city from the back of a majestic elephant: In Nantes, this dream becomes reality with the "Grand Éléphant", an impressive, mechanical work of art inspired by the fantastic works of Jules Verne. The birthplace of the French writer is located not far from the Atlantic coast and has much more to offer than the gigantic elephant: the castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the imposing Gothic cathedral, a pretty riverside promenade along the Loire and numerous parks and gardens. In the footsteps of Jules Verne, visitors can explore places such as his birthplace, a museum dedicated to him and a statue. The former capital of Brittany has been recognised several times for its high quality of life. With many museums, theatres and exhibitions, art and culture play a central role in Nantes. However, the most important thing in France is the culinary delights. So be sure to try the oysters, cider, crêpes and galettes!

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 320,000
  • Official language: French
  • Currency: Euro (EUR) 

Five city views of Nantes

The picture shows a city view by the river. Trees and a multi-lane road can be seen in the foreground. In the background are buildings with classical facades and a striking domed building. An excursion boat is moored on the riverbank.
The elegant Quai de la Fosse promenade along the Loire was once the centrepiece of the port. Today, it is home to numerous restaurants, bars and cafés. © kevin_guillois/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a historic castle surrounded by a sprawling town with a tower block jutting out of the sea of houses. To the left of the castle is a deserted, wide street. The castle is surrounded by a fortress wall, towers and a moat, with trees and green areas in front of it.
The Château des Ducs de Bretagne was long the residence of the Dukes of Brittany and, with its medieval architecture, is one of Nantes' most important landmarks. © JackF/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a city view at night with an illuminated cathedral in the centre. The surrounding area consists of densely packed houses illuminated in warm yellow tones.
The night-time magic of Nantes: In the heart of the city rises the Gothic cathedral of St-Pierre-et-St-Paul, which took over 400 years to build, starting in 1434. © rh2010/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a square with a huge elephant made of wood and metal, with people standing at its feet. On the elephant's back is a platform on which people are standing.
A former shipyard site, the Ile des Machines, is home to giant mechanical animals, including the famous "Grand Éléphant" - a unique art project. © Brad Pict/stock.adobe.com
View at window level into a street with historic multi-storey buildings. The buildings have light-coloured facades. The tower of a church rises in the background and cafés with awnings can be seen in the street scene below.
Nantes' pretty old town centre, where elegant squares alternate with narrow alleyways, invites you to take a long stroll and then visit one of the street cafés. © rh2010/stock.adobe.com

Loire, Brittany and the wild Atlantic coast

Nantes is now part of the Pays de la Loire region. Due to its location in the west of France, around 50 kilometres from the Atlantic coast, the surrounding area offers an impressive variety of landscapes. Picturesque castles and vineyards unfold along the banks of the Loire. The Atlantic coast with its fine sandy beaches and wild sea attracts swimmers, surfers and sun-seekers in summer.

The multitude of ancient castles, churches and imposing cathedrals in Brittany will make the hearts of culture vultures beat faster. There are also numerous natural areas to discover, such as the Brière Nature Park, the island of Noirmoutier and the Guérande salt marshes, as well as historically interesting towns such as Saint-Nazaire and Clisson. Breton tradition is kept alive through local festivals, regional specialities and craftsmanship.

Between the Loire and Atlantic: where culture meets nature

The picture shows a rocky coastline behind turquoise-coloured water. A lighthouse stands on the rocks, surrounded by trees and a historic building.
The island of Noirmoutier is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, salt marshes and charming fishing villages. © mikisa studio/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a medieval castle on the left, enthroned on a hill next to a river. In the foreground, a river with a small cascade flows over stones. On the right of the picture is an old stone bridge with several arches. The surrounding area consists of smaller buildings and a church. The sky is blue and cloudless.
Clisson is a pretty town with Italian-inspired buildings, a medieval castle and beautiful vineyards in the surrounding area. © M.studio/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a wide landscape with water basins that are part of salt marshes. The pools are separated from each other by narrow dams. A bay and the sea can be seen in the background.
High-quality sea salt, known as "fleur de sel", is produced in the traditional salt marshes around Guérande. The area is crisscrossed by hiking trails. © Jean-Marie Maillet/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a long, curved sandy beach, with a promenade of white houses on the left, between which numerous green trees protrude. The water on the right is turquoise blue and the sky is cloudless.
La Baule has one of the longest sandy beaches in Europe, which stretches for around nine kilometres and is famous for its fine, golden sand. © altitudedrone/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows an expansive water landscape at sunset. Small, green-brown boats are moored on the banks of the river. The surroundings are characterised by green meadows and trees.
The Brière Nature Park near Saint-Nazaire is one of the largest wetlands in France with its marshes, bogs and small canals. © guitou60/stock.adobe.com

Nantes from BER

Flugzeug kurz vor dem Aufsetzen auf die Start- und Landebahn

Transavia

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Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)

Five travel tips for ...

1. Find out more about his life and novels at the Musée Jules Verne.

2. Take a walk to the house where the writer was born.

3. The art project Les Machines de l'île brings Verne's imagination to life.

4. Visit the statue of Jules Verne on the Butte Sainte-Anne.

5. Wander back in time at the Café de la Marine on the Loire.

1. Jardin des Plantes - one of the largest botanical gardens in France

2. Île de Versailles - Japanese garden with ponds and bridges

3. Parc de Procé - ideal park for picnics and walks

4. Parc du Grand Blottereau – a park with tropical greenhouses

5. Parc des Chantiers - perfect for a walk along the Loire 

1. Les Anneaux - 18 illuminated rings on the Quai des Antilles

2. Les Machines de l'Île - Fascinating mechanical creatures and machines

3. Musée d'Arts de Nantes - Works of art from the Middle Ages to modern times

4. Le Lieu Unique - Creative cultural centre in a former biscuit factory

5. Le Voyage à Nantes - Annual open-air art festival 

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© Mathieu/stock.adobe.com  

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