Flight guide to Nantes

Nantes is France’s sixth-largest city and Brittany’s largest town. It’s known as a university haven, so many travellers on Nantes flights are students. In fact, it was the town’s students who aptly named the busiest street in Nantes Rue de la Soif (street of thirst). The students in Nantes keep the city young and vibrant and add to the culture and energy of the city.

Nantes is built on the largest island in the Loire Valley's château country. The town welcomes travellers by boat, train and plane and it is one of France’s major seaport capitals. Visitors booking flights to Nantes enter a town oozing with knowledge thanks to its thousands of eager students and high-tech industries that provide economic stability for Nantes.

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Nantes Climate

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Getting Around Nantes

Nantes has been selected by the European Commission as a model city for its urban transport. Nantes has the longest tramway network in France, which has helped develop the French standard for a light-rail system and has been used as a model by, among others, Barcelona and cities in Japan. In September 2006, Nantes started development on France’s first BusWay, a dedicated bus lane. Between the tramway and buses, you can cover the city using public transport. There are also two shuttles providing transport to the Loire and Erdre rivers.

Walking is an excellent way to see Nantes, and walking tours are available as are bicycling tours.

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Nantes Insider Information

• The town has ten parks. The Jardin des Plantes has 11,000 varieties in its botanic collections, and the Grand-Blottereau has agronomy greenhouses.
• The castle of the dukes of Brittany is where Anne de Bretagne was born in 1477 and where Henri IV signed the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which granted Protestants rights to their religion. The Gothic cathedral has the magnificent black-and-white marble tomb of Anne de Bretagne’s parents.
• Bouffay, the medieval quarter, is charming and beautiful. Some of its buildings date back to the 15th century.
• Nantes has several museums including one dedicated to Jules Verne, the science fiction author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in Eighty Days, who was born in Nantes. There is also the Natural History Museum, Dobree museum, Fine Arts Museum and Museum of printing.
• Rue Crebillon is Nantes’ fanciest shopping street. Pommeraye is the 19th-century shopping arcade. It houses elegant boutiques. For bargain-hunting, go to the Flea Market – place Viarme – on Saturday mornings. The Marche de Talensac is the town's biggest market, open every day except Monday.
• The Lieu Unique is the old LU biscuit factory. It is an arts and community centre, bar and restaurant.
• Close to Nantes are the Loire estuary and Atlantic Coast, the Nantes vineyard trail and Chateaux of the Loire.

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