Best places to stay in Nantes
Hôtel Oceania Nantes
Aéroport Nantes Atlantique, 44340, Bouguenais
Located 300m from Nantes airport, Hôtel Oceania Nantes is a four-star with its own heated swimming pool, tennis court and colourful lounges. It features a fitness room, plus business facilities. Choose from rooms designed for comfort or business – there’s free Wi-Fi and a Nespresso machine that’s sure to impress.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Nantes
6 Place Aristide Briand, 44000, Nantes
Radisson Blu Hotel is housed in a neoclassical courthouse, but once inside, the rooms burst with show-stopping modernity. Paintings of famous European landmarks are set against dark walls, and each of the hotel’s 142 hideaways shows something different. Suites sleep up to four adults and come with luxurious details, such as magnifying mirrors and sleep well spray.
SOZO Hotel
16 Rue Frédéric Cailliaud, 44000, Nantes
SOZO captures the spirit of Nantes perfectly with its unusual mix of neon-bright interiors and stained-glass windows. It’s set in a former chapel, featuring rooms with vaulted ceilings. The on-site spa promises to transport guests to ‘heaven on earth’ through its sauna, ice room and range of treatments.
Best restaurants in Nantes
La Cigale
4 Place Graslin, 44000, Nantes
Nantes’ cuisine is rivalled only by the city’s artistic spirit, and at La Cigale, both come together. This 19th-century fine dining brasserie is noted for its vibrant tiled interior. Drag your eyes away from the gilded walls and enjoy fresh catches from the seafood bar, or sumptuous afternoon tea.
L’U.ni
36 Rue Fouré, 44000, Nantes
This chic eatery experiments with flavour to create experiences you’ll savour. There’s tandoori-spiced veal tagine, citrus-infused monkfish and pink peppercorns introduced subtly into small plates. The flavour-savvy staff are usually happy to help translate the ever-changing menu into English.
Le Lion et L’Agneau
40 rue Foure, 44000, Nantes
This contemporary food bar specialises in elegant and hearty food from south-west France. It’s named after La Fontaine’s fable of the lion and the lamb, and you’ll find suitably brave flavours inside. Think asparagus, duck breast, sheep cheese and sage-baked guinea fowl.
Best things to do in and around Nantes
Castle Ducs de Bretagne
4 Place Marc Elder, 44000, Nantes
No trip to Nantes is complete without visiting a fairy-tale castle, and this 15th-century Chateau doesn’t disappoint. Inside, there’s a museum detailing the history of Nantes, including exhibitions on the city’s international legacy.
Arts Museum of Nantes
10 Rue Georges Clemenceau, 44000, Nantes
Around 12,000 works stand proudly on display at the Arts Museum of Nantes, covering a wide range of schools from the 13th century right up to the 21st. You can see works by the likes of Monet and Picasso here, plus contemporary showcases.
Les Machines de I’Île
Parc des Chantiers, Boulevard Léon Bureau, 44200, Nantes
As one of the quirkiest things to do in Nantes, Les Machines de I’Île makes a great day out for families and the young at heart. Francois Delaroziere and Pierre Orefice teamed up to create this world of mechanical animals. Ride the sea monster carousel and you might notice eclectic influences from Leonardo da Vinci and Nantes’ former shipyards.
