The Estuaire Nantes-Saint-Nazaire stretches along the Loire River from the historic shipping city of Nantes to the Atlantic gateway of Saint-Nazaire. The trip encompasses cultural landmarks, scenic views, and an immersive connection to the Loire River’s dynamic estuary environment.
My journey started out in Nantes, a city renowned for its vibrant cultural scene and maritime heritage. Visitors can embark on the Estuaire by car, bike, or even boat. Each offering its own charm, with bicycles and boats providing the most intimate connection to the estuary’s landscape.
I concluded my visit to the Estuaire Nantes-Saint-Nazaire in Saint-Nazaire, where the Loire river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The seaside town offers a mix of sandy beaches, bustling harbours, and cultural attractions.
The Estuaire Nantes-Saint-Nazaire offers a rare convergence of art, nature, and industry. From the creative energy of Nantes to the shipping legacy of Saint-Nazaire, the journey showcases the region’s ability to blend tradition with modernity. Whether you’re drawn to the art installations, the natural landscapes, or the industrial feats, this trip is sure to leave an indelible impression.
Photo essay on the the Estuaire Nantes-Saint-Nazaire by Jordan Banks
Above: Serpentine rouge by Jimmie Durham.
Above: La Maison dans la Loire by Jean-Luc Courcoult & the town of Indre on the banks of the Loire River.
Above: Misconceivable – (Méconcevable) by Erwin Wurm.
Above: Le pied, le pull-over et le système digestif by Daniel Dewar & Grégory Gicquel.
Above: Le pull-over & le système digestif by Daniel Dewar & Grégory Gicquel.
Above: Belvédère de l’Hermitage by Tadashi Kawamata and Lunar Tree by Mrzyk & Moriceau
Above: Serpent d’océan by Huang Yong Ping.
Above: Mètre à Ruban by Lilian Bourgeat.
Above: Suite de Triangles by Felice Varini
Above: Le Pendule by Roman Signer and view of the Belvédère de l’Hermitage by Tadashi Kawamata and Saint-Anne’s church.
Above: Les Anneaux by Daniel Buren & Patrick Bouchain and Résolution des forces en présence by Vincent Mauger
Need to know
Getting there:
Nantes is well connected to a range of European cities via air and train with regular non-stop Easy Jet and Ryan Air flights from various UK airports.
Nantes Atlantique Airport is located just 8km southwest of the city with easy connections to the centre via the Airport Shuttle (€10). A taxi would cost €30 to €35.
If you choose to stay in Saint-Nazaire you can take a 30 minute train from Gare de Nante to Saint-Nazaire Nantes – Le Croisic for £9 to £13 depending on your departure time.
Best time to go:
Spring, Summer or Autumn are all lovely times of year to visit the Estuaire. The Voyage à Nantes art festival takes place from early July until early September making it a great time to witness all the new art installations.
We visited in Autumn and the weather was lovely, crowds were down and the fall colours along the Estuaire Nantes-Saint-Nazaire were lovely.
Where to stay:
Nantes is a very easy city to naviaget so your exact location as important as some larger cities. If you plan to hire a car a hotel with parking is worth considering.
We stayed at the in the centrally located, 4 start Le Perouse Hotel on All. Duquesne. There are a some really nice auberges along the route such as Logis Nuit De Retz. Another option is to stay in Saint Nazaire and make the beautiful seafront Château des Tourelles.
Must-pack items:
For the bird lovers we would highly recommend bring a set of binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens. The Loire River along the Estuaire Nantes-Saint-Nazaire is home to a variation Bird species, many that are rare in the UK. These include: Osprey, Black Kite, Corncrake, Stone Curlew, Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls, Black and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, and Bonelli’s Warbler.
How to do it:
There are a multitude of ways to enjoy the Estuaire Nantes-Saint-Nazaire. A day river cruise starting in Nantes and heading west along the Loire to Saint Nazaire with regular stops at the art installations is a unique experience. Return trips are available from the end of April to Middle of October at a cost of 42 Euros or FREE for Pass Nantes Holders
You can also explore the Estuaire by Bike or Car with a host of vendors offering daily rentals of both Bikes and Cars.
Anything else:
Nantes is vibrant city with lots of great galleries, museums, restaurants and bars that should not be missed. The Green Line of Nantes is an easy-to-follow route that guides you through the city to all the must-see attractions. For more info on The Green Line you may like to take a look at our recent feature here.
For more information on the Estuaire Nantes-Saint-Nazaire you can visit Le Voyage à Nantes.
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