Visit Nantes in 2 days
14 must-see POIs, optimized routes and anecdotes.
Two days in Nantes: an itinerary to feel the city
Start at the Basilique Saint-Nicolas and end at the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery — here is a stroll that traverses history, lively neighborhoods and the little surprises of Nantes. In two days, you can alternate between iconic monuments, covered passages and bustling squares, all while keeping the pace of a pleasant discovery on foot.
This city lends itself to relaxed strolls: in the morning, historic facades and museums; in the afternoon, shopping streets and squares where you can sit and observe local life. The proposed itinerary is designed to mix heritage, urban wandering and gourmet moments, without running from one point to another.
You will find logical transitions between sites: from the Jules Verne mural to the center's pedestrian crossings, via the Dukes' Castle which anchors the historic heart. Each day is designed to stay realistic — not too full, not too sparse — so you can savor the places and stop when something catches your eye.
Throughout the text, I will give you practical tips on accommodation, getting around, what to book in advance and local specialties to taste. The idea is that you leave with a real impression of Nantes, images in your mind and the desire to return.
Loading map...
You will visit the most beautiful points of interest in Nantes
Day-by-day summary
Day 1 — Morning: Start at the Basilique Saint-Nicolas, then stroll toward the Jules Verne Painted Wall for an artistic touch. Continue toward the Old Palace of Justice and the Natural History Museum, before a relaxing break at the Cours Cambronne. After lunch, cross the Place de la Petite Hollande, lose yourself in the elegant Passage Pommeraye and end the day in the lively Bouffay Square, the perfect spot for an aperitif and to observe nightlife.
Day 2 — Morning: Begin at the Prefecture Building and the Square of the Maquis-de-Saffré, then visit the Convent of the Visitation and the Statue of Anne of Brittany. Stop in front of the Town Hall. The afternoon is devoted to the classics: the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the double reference to Anne of Brittany, the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Departmental Council of Loire-Atlantique and finally, the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, which brings a strong and thoughtful note to your visit.
Day 1 - Nantes
10 POIs to discoverDay 1 - Morning à Nantes
5 Points of interest - Duration : 4h00 - Distance : 1.4 km - Walking : 0h18
© Wikimedia Commons
Prefecture hotel of Loire-Atlantique
- The Loire-Atlantique's prefecture hotel is a building that hosts the prefecture department of Loire-Atlantique.
- The decision for the location of the Chamber of Accounts in the prefecture was made by Anne of Brittany in 1492.
- The building's construction started under François Ier in 1515 and was completed under the reign of Henri II in 1553.
- This building was one of the first for which Jean-Baptiste Ceineray was an architect, it showcases his neoclassical architecture approach.
- In 1774, a fire broke out at the Cordeliers convent, threatening to destroy the archives that were temporarily stored there.
- The prefecture was included in the list of historical monuments on February 26, 1947.
© Wikimedia Commons
Square du Maquis-de-Saffré
- The Square du Maquis-de-Saffré is a rectangular-shaped verdant space covering up 3,000 m².
- It is itself adorned with camellia hedges, yellow magnolias and six beech trees.
- This green space is a tribute to Maquis de Saffré, the main resistance group in the region.
- Evidence of the first human activity in the area dates back to the Middle Ages, but it appears no construction had been established on the site before the 18th century.
- A bust of General Edmond Buat, appointed as a general during WWI, was inaugurated on July 10th, 1927, by Marshal Pétain and President Alexandre Millerand.
- The square underwent construction work for sewage water storage underneath it in 2014 and reopened to the public in May 2017, featuring a new landscape arrangement.
© Wikimedia Commons
Convent of the Visitation
- The Visitation Convent was originally a Visitandine monastery.
- The convent was confiscated during the French Revolution.
- Following the confiscation, the building was repurposed as a hospital, a military garrison, and later a residence for senior citizens.
- The structure was listed in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments in 1925.
- The Order of the Visitation was founded in 1610 by François de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal.
- The convent was transformed into a residence, "Les jardins d'Arcadie", in 2013, consisting of 88 apartments for senior citizens.
Statue Anne de Bretagne
- Anne of Brittany was born on 25 January 1477 in Nantes and died on 9 January 1514 in Blois.
- Daughter of the Duke of Brittany Francis II, she became Duchess of Brittany on the death of her father.
- She became queen of France in 1491 under Charles VIII and for the second time in 1499 under Louis XII.
- In 1490, she married by proxy to Maximilian of Austria to escape royal control, but this provoked the 1491 offensive.
- Anne attempts to maintain the autonomy of the Duchy of Brittany after the capture of Rennes, but is incorporated into the kingdom in 1532 after his death.
- She inherits the County of Montfort and receives the County of Étampes in 1512.
- Due to her marriage to Maximilian, she becomes Queen of the Romans (1490-1491) and maintains ties with Naples and Milan during the Italian Wars.
- In 1490, she marries by proxy Maximilian of Austria to escape royal control, but this provokes the 1491 offensive.
Hotel de Ville de Nantes
- The city hall of Nantes, France, is a group of buildings housing the city council and administrative services of the commune.
- The 15th-century Derval manor house is the origin of today's Nantes city hall.
- In the 16th century, the city council moved into the Derval manor house after obtaining authorization from King François II.
- The manor was modified in the 17th century and transformed in 1829, with the addition of the eastern wing.
- In 1923, the town council acquired the 17th-century Hôtel de Monti de Rezé and the Hôtel de Rosmadec (1653) to extend the municipal buildings.
Day 1 - Afternoon à Nantes
5 Points of interest - Duration : 4h30 - Distance : 0.9 km - Walking : 0h12
Place du Bouffay
- Its name comes from the château du Bouffay, which was near the square.
- The square was the center of the city in the Middle Ages and the seat of municipal and judicial institutions.
- In the 18th and 19th century, the château was demolished, and classical buildings were built surrounding the square.
- The architecture was planned by Jean-Baptiste Ceineray in 1761, with the demolition of non-aligned buildings.
- Today, the square is pedestrian and commercial, although a covered market operated until 2010.
- The Bouffay square appears in the film "Une chambre en ville" by Jacques Demy, made in 1982.
- The square has historical references, such as the former Échevins' house and prison during the Revolution.
© Wikimedia Commons
Château des ducs de Bretagne
- The Château des ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) was the residence of the Dukes of Brittany between the 13th and 16th centuries and later the Breton residence of the French Monarchy.
- The castle is now home to the Nantes History Museum and was officially listed as a 'monument historique' by the French Ministry of Culture in 1840.
- The museum includes 32 rooms and presents more than 850 items of historical significance, often utilizing multimedia devices for more interactive storytelling.
- It also features contemporary art exhibitions.
- A half kilometer walk around the fortified ramparts of the castle provides views not just of the castle itself but also of the local town landscape.
- The castle is beautifully lit at night, thanks to the illumination design by Sylvie Sieg and Pierre Nègre of the Atelier Lumière, which won the Lumiville Trophy 2007.
- The museum once halted an exhibition about Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, after the Chinese government requested the words "Genghis Khan" and "Mongolia" not be used.
© Wikimedia Commons
Anne of Brittany
- Anne of Brittany was presented in royal propaganda as the perfect queen, symbol of the union between France and Brittany.
- Over the centuries, the perception of Anne of Brittany has varied, with divergent interpretations in historiography and popular imagination.
- After her death, she fell into oblivion in French historiography until the 19th century, while in Brittany she was highlighted as the woman who preserved the autonomy of the duchy.
- Celtomanes and Breton regionalists chose her as a symbol of agrarian renewal and regionalism, endowing her with mythological characteristics and Breton attire.
- Various myths surround Anne of Brittany, from a forced marriage to being the defender of the duchy's independence.
- Her figure was used in regionalist claims after the Franco-German war of 1870 and later by the propaganda of the Third Republic.
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes
- The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, also known as Nantes Cathedral, is a Gothic Catholic temple.
- Its construction began in 1434 on the site of the previous Romanesque cathedral, concluding in 1891 after 457 years.
- It is the seat of the Diocese of Nantes and was designated a Historic Monument of France in 1862.
- It is temporarily closed for restoration until early 2025 due to an arson attack in July 2020.
Conseil Départemental de Loire Atlantique
- Loire-Atlantique is a French department in the Pays de la Loire region.
- Its name derives from the presence of the Loire, a major river that runs through it, and the Atlantic Ocean that borders its coast to the west.
- The Loire-Atlantique departmental council is the deliberative assembly of the department.
- It was called Conseil Général de la Loire-Inférieure from 1800 to 1957, then Conseil Général de la Loire-Atlantique until 2015.
- Its headquarters are located in Nantes.
- It acts as a decentralized territorial authority on the departmental territory.
Day 2 - Nantes
4 POIs to discoverDay 2 - Morning à Nantes
4 Points of interest - Duration : 3h00 - Distance : 1.2 km - Walking : 0h16
Pl. Commandant Jean l'Herminier
- Place du commandant Jean L'Herminier was laid out as a traffic junction after Reconstruction.
- The bombings of 1943 destroyed buildings around the Brunellière/Mazagran crossroads, leading to a reconfiguration of the space.
- In 1950, the area was redeveloped with a tier for buildings, a parking lot, and a staircase linking the crossroads to buildings on the rear front.
- In 1994, the square was transformed into a playful labyrinth designed by American artist Dan Graham, but the addition of an underground parking lot disrupted the original work.
- Despite the initial vision of becoming a lush place overlooking the river, the people of Nantes did not make the square their own, finding it ambiguous between a work of art and a space for urban traffic.
- The square remains the only opening onto the Loire in the former seaport and will be integrated into the promenade linking Nantes station to the Miséry quarry in a few years.
© Wikimedia Commons
Cours Cambronne
- Cours Cambronne is a square spanning an area of approximately 8 762 square meters, with dimensions of about 180 meters by 50 meters.
- The square is adorned with silver linden and large-flowered magnolia trees, lawns, and floral beds.
- At the center of the square stands a statue of Pierre Cambronne, created by Jean Debay, and a fountain by Charles-Auguste Lebourg.
- The square is named after Pierre Cambronne, a general in Napoleon's army, and it solidified this name after the installation of Cambronne's statue in 1848.
- Previously, the area was occupied by the gardens of a convent founded by the Capuchin monks in 1629, which was later bought by the city when the convent became national property in 1791.
- The square was used as a set for a scene in Emmanuel Courcol's 2017 film "Cessez-le-feu.".
Mémorial de l'Abolition de l'Esclavage
- Nantes was the most important slave trading port in France between the 17th and 19th centuries, moving more than 550,000 people to the colonies.
- Despite the proclamation of the abolition of slavery in 1848, Nantes merchants continued the slave trade for a few more years.
- In 1983, the first attempt at commemoration began with the creation of the "Nantes 85" association, which organized conferences and exhibitions on the slave trade.
- In 1998, the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery was inaugurated in the port of Nantes, designed by Argentine architect Julian Bonder and Polish artist Krzysztof Wodiczko.
- Since the 1990s, different municipal initiatives reinforce awareness-raising, including cooperation with African and South American cities, the World Forum on Human Rights and the opening of rooms dedicated to the slave trade in the Nantes Historical Museum. The Museum and the Memorial are connected by a route marked with information signs about the triangular trade.
© Wikimedia Commons
Natural History Museum of Nantes
- The Museum of Natural History (Muséum d'histoire naturelle) in Nantes was originally founded in a private cabinet in 1799 by François-René Dubuisson, a pharmacist and natural history enthusiast.
- Dubuisson's collections, which included geology, mineralogy, and botany, were bought by the municipality in 1806.
- They were housed in a building that was inaugurated in 1810.
- From 1836 to 1863, the museum was managed by Frédéric Cailliaud, who added a collection of natural sciences.
- He sought new premises for the already crowded museum.
- New buildings were eventually established at Place de la Monnaie, with the first stone placed in 1868.
- The museum, inaugurated in 1875, was one of the first to be installed in a building specially built for it.
- A vivarium was created in 1955 to house live animals.
- Over several years since the 2000s, different sections of the museum have undergone renovation.
- The museum's collections cover all domains of natural history, and its zoology gallery exhibits over a thousand specimens of vertebrate animals, including a whale skeleton.
- The museum is also a member of the national network of naturalist collections (RECOLNAT).
Practical details for visiting Nantes
Where to stay
For two days, choose central accommodation that makes it easy to go back and forth between sites. The neighborhoods to favor are the downtown (near Passage Pommeraye and Bouffay), the Isle of Nantes for a more contemporary vibe, or the Château district to be close to the Dukes of Brittany's Castle. The types of accommodation vary: charming small hotels, bed & breakfasts and independent properties near the historic squares. For a budget stay, aim for hostels and small hotels outside the center; for more comfort, book a 3- to 4-star hotel in the center. Average prices can range from a reasonable economical budget to higher-end options depending on the season. Consider prioritizing proximity to public transport if you prefer not to walk too much.
Getting around
Nantes is ideal for walking: many central sites are accessible on foot, which lets you savor the architecture and the lanes. The public transport network includes a light metro and lines of tram and bus that connect the neighborhoods and the island. Renting a bike (bike-sharing or rentals) is an excellent option to save time between sites and enjoy the quays. For occasional trips, taxis and rideshare services are available. If you like independence, combine walking and cycling for a smooth experience. In short: walk to the historic core, take the tram or bus for longer connections, and consider biking for a good compromise.
What to bring
Adapt your luggage to the season but keep a few essentials: good walking shoes for pavements and passages, a light waterproof jacket (showers can catch you off guard), and a compact backpack for your purchases or a reusable water bottle. In summer, plan light clothing, sun protection and a hat; in autumn or spring, layer to manage temperature variations. In winter, bring a warm coat and gloves, especially if you plan to stay outside in the evening. Don’t forget portable chargers and a map or an app to help you navigate. The essentials: comfortable shoes, waterproof jacket, layered clothing and a small guide or app for the itineraries.
Advance reservations
To optimize your two days, consider booking certain things in advance: hotels during peak periods, a few popular restaurants near Passage Pommeraye or Bouffay, and the guided tours of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany if there is a guided option or temporary exhibitions. If you want to attend a show or a concert, book your seats as soon as possible. Reservations are useful to save time and avoid queues, especially in tourist season. Finally, if you plan to rent a bike or use specific services, book online to ensure availability. Keywords to remember: accommodation, restaurants, cultural activities and bicycle rentals.
Must-see extras
Beyond the main itinerary, Nantes is full of little gems: explore the Isle of Nantes for its contemporary creations, take a break at the Garden of Plants if you love green spaces, and stroll along the quays for different views of the Loire. For a playful and immersive experience, try Coddy's urban escape games, which offer puzzles integrated into the urban landscape — a creative way to see the city. Other options: boat trips on the Loire, street art routes to discover the Jules Verne Painted Wall from another angle, or thematic visits (local history, architecture). Save time for these extras if your schedule allows: they offer complementary perspectives on Nantes and its contrasts.
Local delights
On the culinary side, favor local products and small addresses: bakeries to taste artisanal pastries and breads, markets for fresh produce, and breweries or cafes for regional dishes with a twist. Try the specialties offered by the city's chefs, as well as independent cafes around Bouffay and Passage Pommeraye. Don’t forget cheese shops and pastries for quick tastings between two visits. For beverage lovers, look for local microbreweries and wine bars for a friendly break. Key spots: markets, artisanal bakeries, neighborhood bistros, and seasonal products to favor depending on when you visit.
When to visit Nantes and how much it costs
Best seasons
The best time to visit depends on your priorities. Spring and summer offer longer days, welcoming terraces and a lively vibe: perfect if you enjoy strolling on terraces and taking in the quays. Autumn brings colors and a softer ambiance, interesting for appreciating museums and cafés without the crowds. Winter is quieter, so ideal if you're after lower prices and tranquil visits, but days are shorter and cooler. For events, certain periods see temporary exhibitions and cultural festivals; check in advance. In short: favor spring/summer for weather comfort and energy, and autumn/winter for calmer visits and savings. Key concepts to remember: spring, summer, autumn, winter and events.
Crowds
Crowds vary by season and weekends: peak season (summer and school holidays) attract more visitors, especially around Passage Pommeraye and the Dukes of Brittany's Castle. Busy squares like Bouffay can be crowded in the evening and during tourist periods. To avoid the crowds, prefer morning or late afternoon visits, and book popular tours in advance. The slightly offbeat neighborhoods like certain parts of the island offer quieter breaths. In off-peak season you'll enjoy quieter streets and a more intimate museum and monument experience. Key points: high season, low season, peaks of visitation and strategies to avoid the crowds.
Estimated budget
Economical budget: Primarily spend on hostel or small hotel outside the center, meals from markets or bakeries, public transport, and lots of walking. Estimate a tight budget by prioritizing free options (strolls, squares, parks) and limiting paid visits. Local transport and food can stay affordable if you choose the right addresses.
Medium budget: Prefer a central 2-3 star hotel, a few meals at a bistro restaurant, tickets for one or two paid attractions (museums, castle) and a bike rental for a day. This level allows more comfort for getting around and dining, without extravagance.
Comfort budget: 3-4 star hotels in the city center, dinners at well-known restaurants, guided tours, bike rental or taxi for more comfort and perhaps an additional paid activity (cruise, show). This budget offers more flexibility and a more relaxed experience.
Frequently asked questions about your stay in Nantes
Last tips before departure
Two days in Nantes are enough to get a good feel of the city without rushing. Follow this itinerary as a thread: start at the Basilique Saint-Nicolas, let yourself be surprised by the Passage Pommeraye and the charm of the Place du Bouffay, and finish with a moment of reflection at the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery. Keep free gaps for wandering, for an unexpected detour or to linger in a café you like.
Finally, adapt the pace to your desires: Nantes is also discovered in breaks, side streets and conversations with locals. Take away curiosity, good shoes and the desire to return — the city often has more to offer than you imagine on the first pass. Have a great stay and happy discoveries!
Want more adventure?
Discover our urban escape games to transform your visit into an interactive adventure!
