Sitting along the banks of the Loire in France’s upper Brittany region, Nantes has long been overshadowed by more famous destinations in the Loire Valley. But that is changing rapidly.
Since the launch of the visionary Green Line in 2013, spearheaded by then-mayor Jean-Marc Ayrault and art enthusiast John Blaise, Nantes has transformed into an exciting cultural hub that’s capturing the world’s attention.
Stretching an easily navigable 12km, the Green Line leads visitors through an immersive journey of free outdoor art installations and the city’s most iconic landmarks. Here, centuries-old cathedrals, castles, and churches stand in perfect harmony with bold, modern art pieces, creating a cityscape where the past and present intertwine.
Above: Jean Jullien, Filili Viridi installation.
Above: The Green Line & Rainbow Steps.
Above: Basilique Saint Nicolas from Place Royale & Philippe Ramettes Éloge du pas de côté in Place du Bouffay.
Above: L’Arbre à Basket or Basketball Tree.
Above: Trafic by Nantes-based Ador & Semor.
Above: Extensions. Rue Bias, Nantes. 2022 & Laurent Perbos Ping-Pong Park.
Above: Place Royale & Fontaine de la Loire.
Above: National History Museum / Cyril Pedrosas L’Évasion – chapter 3 / Mural to Jules Verne
Above: Philippe Ramette’s Éloge de la transgression & Nantes-based firm Barré-Lambot and landscape gardener Guillaume Sevin Feydball.
Above: Jean Jullien Filili Viridi installation in the Jardin des Plantes.
Above: Fabrice Hyber’s L’Homme de bois & Jardin des plantes greenhouse.
Above: Dépodépo, Claude Pontis flower pot playground for children & Jean Jullien installation in the Jardin des Plantes
Above: Art Installations at Jardin des plantes
Above: Passage Pommeraye & La Cigale Resturant
Above: Château des ducs de Bretagne – Musée d’histoire de Nantes.
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.
The city is also only two hours by car from Paris.
Best time to go:
Summer is always a great time to visit France in general and Nantes is no different.
The free-to-visit Voyage à Nantes art festival takes place from early July until early September and is the perfect opportunity to see all the new art installations popping up around the city.
Nantes is also lovely during Spring and Autumn so if you want to avoid the crowds, April to May and September to October will offer a quieter visit.
Where to stay:
Nantes is a very navigable city so your exact location isn’t that important.
The 4-star boutique Le Perouse Hotel is centrally located on All. Duquesne. It’s a modern hotel but with a traditional twist and is perfectly located just a few minutes from the Green Line.
If you are looking for a more relaxing and tranquil setting, try the stunning Château de Maubreuil just 15km away from the city. It offers a great base to explore Nantes and the surrounding area.
Must-pack items:
Any trip to Nantes involves walking so a comfortable pair of shoes is a must.
With temperatures varying with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C in July and August combined with the oceanic climate being susceptible to rain year-round mean layers and waterproofs are a must so that you are prepared for any eventuality.
While it’s always good practice to use the local language, English is widely spoken so you shouldn’t encounter the same translation issues as in other regions of France.
How to do it:
The best way to see the city is on foot. But if you need a little break, the city is very well connected with trams and public buses.
Many of the stops are located along the Green Line if you don’t fancy walking the entire 12km.
You can pick up a Nantes City Pass directly from the Le Voyage a Nantes website. It is available as 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs, or even 7 Days. The pass gives you access to public transport as well as a host of other benefits including the Dukes of Brittany museum, Carrousel des Mondes Marins & Erdre river cruise.
Anything else:
In addition to Green Line, there are many other great museums and galleries to be enjoyed throughout the city. All are free to visit with the Nantes City Pass.
Some of the highlights include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Nantes, Jules Verne Museum and the Galerie des Oubliés – Galerie d’art Nantes. More information on all of the museums and galleries can be found here.
For more information on the Green Line or Nantes in general please visit Le Voyage à Nantes.
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