With ancient city remnants, the port that has been oh-so-vital to the city’s prosperity and the bucolic countryside, it’s a joy to drive in and around Nantes. As in all of mainland Europe, you’ll need to drive on the right-hand side here, with overtaking on the left.

Speed limits vary by road type and area. New legislation in 2018 reduced the limit on secondary roads from 90km/h (55mph) to 80km/h (49mph) in a bid to boost road safety. Motorways still have a top limit of 130km/h (80mph) and rural 4-lane expressways 110km/h (68mph). As in the majority of the world, seatbelts are a legal requirement for the driver and all passengers, and it’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.

There are numerous toll roads in France, which allow faster travel from A to B along the autoroutes, but the costs can be substantial. Alternatively, you can take the slower secondary roads, which are free to use. Brittany, close to Nantes, has no toll roads. If you’re worried about how to pay, our branch team will answer any of your questions when you arrive or throughout your stay.

Nantes is exceptionally well connected, with the E60 running north-west past Saint-Nazaire, along the coast to Quimper and the E3 taking you north to Rennes. The A83 will guide you south to Niort, and the A11 runs east to Angers. The city itself is on the north bank of the Loire, although you will have to cross several road bridges heading to or coming from the south. For free parking, you’ll need to rely on your hotel’s facilities or head to the city’s outskirts, In the centre, metered parking is plentiful, but short-term, while multi-storey car parks provide some longer-term options.

You can tackle Nantes in any number of ways. Perhaps you want to come for the annual art explosion, when the city is transformed. Or possibly you prefer a gentler pace, eating in creperies before dawdling pleasantly around a cathedral or ancient square. With quiet retreats and areas which come to life with the large student population, Nantes is a city of different flavours.

Of Dukes and Duchesses

France’s proud and tumultuous history is often best captured by its buildings. The Cathédrale St-Pierre et St-Paul, brings to life the time of the Dukes, with the Renaissance tomb of the Duke of Brittany taking pride of place in this impressive Gothic edifice. There’s a pleasant garden behind it, and an atmospheric crypt.

The Dukes called the Château des Ducs de Bretagne home for many years, and while you can tour the outside ramparts, garden and moat for free, the real deal is tucked away inside. Lustrously furnished rooms aside, there’s also excellent exhibitions, models of the old city and plenty more to sink your teeth into.

The city’s collection of museums are excellent too. Musée Jules Verne brings the work of Nantes’ most famous son, Jules Verne, to life with interactive and multimedia exhibits, as well as rare 1^st editions of his books. The renovated Musée d’Arts de Nantes is a spectacular collection in a magnificent building, with art that dates back to the 13^th century. Tintoretto, Rubens, Brueghel the Elder, Money, Renoir and Picasso are among the many highlights discovered here.

Nantes transforms

Seemingly growing bigger and more ambitious by the year, Le Voyage à Nantes transforms the city into a giant art installation, with a 13km trail that links new and old sites, pop-ups and exhibitions, gardens and even giant puppets. Running from the start of July to the end of August, it all takes place at 50 different locations dotted throughout the city, joined by a green line that lets you tick off them all.

It changes every year, but some classics return, such as the slide added to the exterior of the Chateau. The famed giant mechanical animals of Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes make an appearance too, breaking free of their nearby amusement park home to tour the city, a towering steampunk menagerie. Visit them at any time of year – you can chill out in the elephant’s huge stomach, or climb on board a heron, crab or octopus. There’s no other park quite like it.

End your trip with a stroll along the Quai des Antilles. A lovely promenade situated beside the Loire, it has been turned into a hotspot with the addition of 18 contemporary rings by French artist Daniel Buren. They light up at night and reflect in the water, an enchanting display to watch as your grab dinner or an aperitif nearby.

Nantes car hire will let you see all of this superb city and explore the Loire Valley too.