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The city of Nantes, France hums to its own unique beat. Located next to the Loire river, the city stands tall with years of history and culture under its belt. As the years pass, it has developed a rampant experimental art scene with galleries and exhibitions popping out and about the city. Most of its quirky scenery is inspired by Jules Verne while set in the backdrop of Medieval streets.

How to Get There

Nantes is accessible through various forms of transportation. If you are arriving by plane, the Nantes Atlantique Airport is the nearest that services a lot of local and international airlines. Located just 11 kilometres from the city, services like the shuttle and a taxi is available to choose from.

The cheapest option would be taking the airport shuttle that leaves every hour. The travel time should take more or less 20 minutes because it makes several stops along the way. Taking the train from another part of France is also available. Once you exit the main station, a tram is available to get to the city centre and it would just take three stops.

Getting Around

Like most of the cities in France, Nantes has a well developed public transportation map. The city is easily navigated through the tram and the bus and both are provided by the TAN (Transports de l’Agglomération Nantaise). Passes are available to make going around cheaper.

Nantes is also a bike-friendly city. There are bicycle lanes on major roads. Making use of them would be a great option once in the city. Seeing that it is highly pedestrianized, this is the most ideal option rather than taking a car rental around. If you opt for a bike, you can rent these in Nantes Métropole and a 50% discount is available for holders of an SNCF pass or a TAN pass.

Top Things to Do

Nantes is a unique city that stands out from the rest of France. While keeping most things the same including architecture, cuisine, and culture, it also has an air that makes it distinct.

To get a glimpse of what Nantes is in sight, it would take a trip to the Les Machines de I’Île. Founded by Francois Delaroiziere and Pierre Orefice, this place has grown to have a museum, a laboratory, and a carousel park. The first of its kind is the grand Éléphant and the manta ray and sea snake has been added the past few years. Noticeably, the design of each of these has exposed mechanisms to show the idealized mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci and Jules Verne’s “Invented Worlds.”

The Jardin des Plantes is also a remarkable site and arguably the most remarkable one in France. It has an outstanding collection of 10,000 species, all packed in the expanse of seven hectares. The garden is in the middle of the city, which makes it accessible to a lot of visitors. Apart from the greenery, you also get to see sculptures and statues like that of Jules Verne. Plant sculptures of people and animals are also a fun sight for everyone.

The whimsical air of the city is also seen in one of its famous residents, Jules Verne. Verne was born in Nantes in 1828 and is known for his famous novels like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. You can visit the museum devoted to him in Musée Jules Verne where you can see games, manuscripts, and portraits that belong to him.

For a glimpse farther down the history of the city, the most ideal spot would be the former seat of the Dukes of Brittany. The fortified palace of Château des Ducs de Bretagne is an impressive castle built in the 13th century that has been used by the dukes before becoming a French royal residence in the 1500s. It sits next to the Loire before it empties to the Atlantic Ocean. The Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul is also a standout that dates back to the 15th century. It is a Roman Catholic church in the heart of the city that dates back to 1891 during its completion.

What to Eat

When it comes to cuisine, Nantes stands out because of its unique mix of cuisines from the region of Brittany and the Loire Valley. The population is also young being a university city so it lends a hand at making the city a bit more dynamic and diverse, often mixing local food with a foreign twist. L’U.ni, which stands for l’ Univers de Nicolas, is one of the city’s most stylish options. It offers a contemporary menu whose ingredients are always taken fresh from the garden.

Meanwhile, L’Atlantide 1874 boasts two Michelin stars. They offer a lengthy wine list that can be enjoyed over a romantic evening. Cuit Lu Cru is a restaurant littered with locals. Found in the Talensac quarter, they offer the freshest and seasonal ingredients that punctuate the cuisine. Everything is boasted as home-made.

Where to Stay

It goes without saying that for a city as wacky as Nantes, they would also have crazy accommodations that would send you to its own unique world. In the city, you will find these hotels and bed and breakfasts around the city. In the main square, you can experience staying in historical buildings that have been built years ago. The good thing about staying here means making everything you need accessible. In the Talensac district, you would find the markets where you can enjoy local dishes, so this is the most ideal for foodies.

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