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Cathedrals, castles and a nightlife that rivals the best in France, the charms of Nantes are slowly being discovered by tourists in the know.
...Gothic cathedrals, 10th century castles, regal looking squares...
Known for years as une belle endormie (a sleeping beauty), today Nantes, France’s sixth-largest city, is alive and kicking. A city of perfectly manicured parks and gardens, wide attractive boulevards and a pedestrianised old town full of medieval buildings, it’s no wonder that Nantes is often described as one of the best places to live in France. And, when it comes to entertaining tourists, it’s pretty impressive too. As the former capital of Brittany and one of the first industrial cities in France, this place boasts a history that rivals any in Europe and is packed with historical goodies at every turn. Imposing Gothic cathedrals, 10th century castles, regal looking squares and 19th century shopping arcades; they’re all here and more. And, with a young student population, as well as a whole host of bars, pubs and jazz cafes dotted around the city, it is safe to say that Nantes is one of the hippest cities in France at the moment. All sounds good so far!
...charming cobbled streets...
To see the best Nantes has to offer, head down to the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul in the morning and gawp at this Gothic masterpiece that took an incredible 400 years to construct. Then it’s on to the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, an impressive medieval fortification that is now home to the Nantes History Museum. And for even more camera opportunities, don’t miss out the historic quarter of Bouffay that is if you still have the stamina after all that walking. With its magical 15th century timber houses and charming cobbled streets, you’d be mad not to see this. You can always rest those weary feet at one of the many restaurants or cafes in the idyllic Place du Bouffay. But don’t sit too long, as there’s plenty of shopping to be had. Streets like Rue du Calvaire and Rue Crébillon, with their array of designer shops, give Paris a good run for its money and will keep you busy well into the evening – providing you have deep enough pockets that is.
And if, after all of that, you still have the energy and the cash to see what Nante’s’ nightlife has to offer, then you clearly haven’t been working hard enough. The best area to start off your night is around Place du Bouffay or Place du Pilori, followed by a trip to the city’s renowned Le Lieu Unique, a converted 19th century biscuit factory which is the city’s main cultural centre packed with art installations, exhibitions and, most importantly, a trendy bar!
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When to go
Find the best time to visit Nantes with average monthly temperatures, local weather conditions and more in our Nantes weather guide.
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Things to see and do
Let us help plan your ideal trip to Nantes. Find the most popular tourist attractions as well as lesser-known gems in our guide to Nantes attractions.
