Visit Nantes in 2 days

Where to Stay in Nantes

For a short two-day trip to Nantes, location matters more than frills: you’ll want to maximize your time at the sites and minimize travel. Choosing a base that puts the city’s pedestrian heart within easy reach makes mornings simpler and evenings more relaxed. Aim to stay within a comfortable walk of the main sights so you can pop back to your room between museum visits or to drop off purchases from the lovely covered shopping passageways.

Nantes is compact and navigable, with a medieval core, a lively 18th–19th century shopping axis and creative riverfront districts. The historic center clusters around the castle and cathedral, the elegant shopping streets sweep toward the theatre and passageways, and the Île de Nantes along the Loire gives a very different, modern feel with cultural projects and waterside walks. Because most attractions sit close together, a centrally placed base transforms your two days into a relaxed stroll rather than a rush across the map.

If you want to be in the thick of history and easy walking distance of the Château des ducs de Bretagne and the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes, look at the Bouffay/Château area where cobbled streets and cafés make early mornings pleasant. For shoppers and those who love grand covered malls, the district around Passage Pommeraye and Place Graslin keeps you steps from stylish boutiques and theatre life. If you prefer a modern, riverside atmosphere with creative studios and big installations, consider a stay on the Île de Nantes, which is great for evening walks along the Loire and easy access to Les Machines and the quays.

Getting around is straightforward: Nantes’ public transport network (trams, buses and river shuttles) links neighborhoods to the train station and major monuments, and many central hotels are a short walk from a tram stop. For just two days a combination of walking and the tramway will be quickest; buy a short-duration ticket or a day pass and keep a pocket map or transit app handy. Cycling is also easy with city bikes available for short hops if you prefer.

Finally, when choosing your room, balance convenience and comfort: a quiet side street will give better sleep than a corner overlooking nightlife, while a central apartment lets you live like a local. Pick a place close to one key landmark you most want to visit—whether that’s the basilica, the castle or Passage Pommeraye—and you’ll spend less time in transit and more time enjoying Nantes’ agreeable rhythm. Relax: two days is enough to fall for the city if you stay smartly placed.

Getting Around Nantes

Nantes is a breeze to explore because the heart of the city is compact and the public network is friendly and well-signposted. The city’s TAN (Transports de l'Agglomération Nantaise) system mixes modern tram lines, frequent bus routes and charming river shuttles called the Navibus, so whether you prefer rails, roads or water you’ll find an easy option. Stops and stations are clearly labeled in French and English, trams are low-floor and accessible, and many visitors discover they actually spend more time choosing a café than waiting for the next service. 🚇

Practical tip: always carry a valid ticket and validate when you board. You can buy tickets from machines at tram stops, on buses (card or cash depending on the line), or via the official TAN app and contactless payment on some vehicles. A single ride is inexpensive and is typically valid for transfers within about an hour, so you can hop from tram to bus without rebuying. If you’ll be making several trips, a 1-day or multi-day Pass or a discounted carnet (bundle of tickets) usually saves money — and the peace of mind is worth it. 🎫

Use Google Maps (or the TAN app) to plan routes in real time: it shows departure times, walking times between stops, and whether a tram or bus is the fastest choice. When I’m navigating a new area I always check live departures to avoid waiting — on busy days the next tram often arrives in just a few minutes. Google also highlights walking as a valid option inside the pedestrian-friendly center, so sometimes your fastest route is simply a pleasant 10–15 minute stroll. 🗺️

To save money, think about how many door-to-door trips you’ll make. A carnet or a day pass will be cheaper per ride if you’re museum-hopping or moving between neighborhoods. If you plan a scenic detour, the Navibus offers a low-cost, photogenic crossing of the Loire and is usually included under the same ticket rules. Also consider Nantes’s bike-share system for short hops — combining tram and bike can be both economical and fun.

Personal note: one afternoon we wanted to go from the elegant Passage Pommeraye to Pl. Commandant Jean l'Herminier after a pastry stop, and it was effortless. We walked a few minutes to the nearest tram stop, checked the TAN app, hopped on a tram that took us a short ride across the center, then jumped off and enjoyed a quick riverside stroll to our final square. The whole trip felt short, intuitive and leisurely — exactly how city travel should be. You’ll find Nantes’ public transport makes exploring the city joyful and stress-free.

What to Pack for Nantes

Two days in Nantes means wandering from the Château des Ducs to the Machines de l’Île, slipping into quiet churches and popping into lively squares. I once did a two-day loop that left me on my feet for 10+ hours each day and covered about 15 miles (24 km) total—so I pack deliberately. Below are the essentials I bring and why each one saved the trip more than once.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (required — e.g., Merrell Moab 2 or Adidas Ultraboost): I wore my Merrells and easily walked those 15 miles over cobblestones and riverside promenades without blister drama. Nantes has uneven paving around historic sites and long stretches between monuments, so supportive, broken-in shoes matter more than cute ones.

2. Cross-body bag (anti-theft style like Pacsafe, or a small leather one): I tuck my wallet, phone, and paper train ticket into a cross-body and felt relaxed in crowded squares and near tram stops. It keeps your hands free for maps and croissants, and close to your body—Nantes is generally safe, but a secure bag prevents the hassle of a lost wallet mid-visit.

3. Weather-appropriate clothing — layers and a packable rain jacket: The Atlantic influence means sun and showers can switch in an hour. On one afternoon I started in a T-shirt, ended the day with a thin fleece and drizzly rain jacket. Pack merino or quick-dry layers and a light waterproof (Patagonia Houdini-type) that fits in your day bag.

4. Power adapter for France (Type E, two round pins) and USB wall plug: I needed an adapter to charge a camera and phone in my guesthouse. French outlets use two round pins with a female earth receptacle, so a compact EU/Type E adapter keeps you from hunting for a charger at 9 p.m.

5. Power bank (10,000–20,000 mAh): Between photographing ornate church interiors and using maps to navigate narrow streets, my phone drained fast. A 10,000 mAh power bank gave me an extra full charge and got me through long museum closures and late-evening strolls without stressing over sockets.

6. Optional but handy — refillable water bottle and a compact umbrella: I refilled my bottle at cafés and fountains and carried a tiny umbrella that saved me during a surprise shower. Both are light, practical, and made those long wandering days much more comfortable.