Nantes
Nantes is a historic port city on the Loire in western France, with a Dukes of Brittany castle and a former shipyard district now home to large mechanical sculptures.
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Nantes is a city in western France, in the Pays de la Loire region, on the Loire River shortly before it reaches the Atlantic. For centuries it was a busy port, and its old town and riverside districts still show that past. The Château des ducs de Bretagne, seat of the Dukes of Brittany, sits near the center and houses a museum of the city's history. The Edict of Nantes, which granted rights to French Protestants, was signed here in 1598.
Les Machines de l'île sits on the former shipyard land of Île de Nantes. Its large mechanical elephant walks through the streets, and a carousel of sea creatures is on the same site. Tram stops are within walking distance of the old town. A two- or three-day stay covers the castle, the old town and the island. Spring and early autumn suit walks along the riverbanks.
Nantes in five
- Visit Les Machines de l'îleThe giant walking elephant and the carousel on the old shipyard island are the city's most unusual sight. Check opening days and timed rides on the official site before you go.
- Walk the castle and the old townThe Château des ducs de Bretagne sits beside the old center, and its ramparts are free to walk. Check which parts are ticketed and the opening hours on the castle's site.
- Use the tram in the centerTrams and the Busway run through the city, and the main sights are within walking distance of each other. A single pass or a stack of tickets is rarely worth it for a short stay.
- Ride the Loire by bikeCycle routes follow the river from Nantes upstream through Angers and on toward Orléans. Rent a bike for a day, or use trains to skip the flat sections.Orléans travel guide
- Add Mont St-Michel only with a carThe island is a long day trip by road, about 2.5–3 hours each way from Nantes, and awkward by train. Choose an overnight stay if you want it.Mont St-Michel
Things to do in Nantes
See all attractions in Nantes
Need to know
- Airport
- Nantes Atlantique (NTE); tram and shuttle to the center
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris Montparnasse about 2 hrs; Rennes and Angers by train
- Getting around
- Tram, buses and a walkable center
- Best base
- Near the castle and the station
- Time needed
- 2 days; 3 with Angers or the coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, dampJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cold, dampFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Mild, breezyMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, breezy
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Spring, terracesAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, terraces
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, art trailJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, art trail
- JulyPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Mild, goldenSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Cool, autumnOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Cold, rainNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, rain
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Cold, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Nantes, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jan La Folle Journée · Feb La Folle Journée · Jun Hellfest
Right now in Nantes
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 35%
Nantes
09:06 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°5°35%Monday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Tue11°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°4°9%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Thu12°5°13%Thursday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Fri13°3°18%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sat11°4°7%Saturday: Fog. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun13°3°15%Sunday: Fog. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 06:38 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jan–FebLa Folle JournéeNantes
- JunHellfestNantes
- DecRencontres Trans MusicalesRennes, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Angersabout 35–50 min by trainA château with a medieval tapestry and a riverside old town.Read the guide
- Clissonabout 25–30 min by trainA small town with Italianate villas and a ruined castle, in wine country.
- Atlantic coastabout 1 hour by train to La BauleWide beaches and seaside towns west of the estuary.Read the guide
Before you go to Nantes
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Rules for Nantes, checked
- Many nationalities can enter France visa-free for short stays under Schengen rules, but others need a visa. Check your status on diplomatie.gouv.fr before you book.Source
- Some passports also need an online travel authorization before flying to Europe. Check travel-europe.europa.eu for what applies to your passport.Source
- Carrying large amounts of cash, or the equivalent in another currency, means declaring it at the border. Check the French customs site for the threshold and details.Source
- Dial 112 from any phone for police, fire or an ambulance across the EU. Dial 15 for urgent medical help in France.
- Service is included by law in French restaurant bills, so tipping is optional. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is the usual custom.
Plan around Nantes
Regions, cities and entry rules
Read the guideAngers travel guideCastle with a tapestry, 35–50 min away
Read the guideLoire Valley travel guideChâteaux and river towns upstream
Read the guideAtlantic CoastBeaches and ports west of the city
Read the guideLa Rochelle travel guideHarbor city on the coast to the south
Read the guideNantes FAQ
Is Nantes worth visiting?
Yes, for a creative city with Les Machines de l'île, an easy castle and a relaxed riverside. It is a good base for the Loire and the coast, but it is less of a monument checklist than Paris.
How many days do you need in Nantes?
Two days covers Les Machines, the castle, the old town and a long lunch. Add a third day for Angers, Clisson or the coast.
How far is Nantes from Paris by train?
About 2 hours by TGV from Paris Montparnasse, with frequent departures. Book early for weekends, when trains fill.
What is the elephant of Nantes?
A giant mechanical elephant, part of Les Machines de l'île, that walks along the old shipyard island carrying passengers. Check the official site for operating days and ticket rules.
Is Nantes in Brittany?
Historically yes. It was the seat of the Dukes of Brittany, and the castle is a reminder, but today it belongs to the Pays de la Loire region. Locals often keep both identities.