Things to do in Pays de la Loire

Nestled neatly on the banks of the Loire River, Nantes is a city with a lot to offer. From a weekend to 7 days, you will have full access to its greatest sites. With the convenient and flexible Nantes Pass, you'll have a chance to experience the best of the city in a fun and easy way. Nantes is a hub for culture and exploration, and with the Nantes Pass, you will have full access to over 40 attractions, museums, monuments, and public transport. Also receive discounts on shopping, entertainment, and leisure. For a taste of what awaits you, perhaps you're interested in seeing the incredible museums. Check out the Galery of the Machines de l'Ile or the Carrousel des Mondes Marins; discover some amazing sculptures based on the imaginary worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci. Perhaps you'd like to visit the Nantes History Museum in the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany; everything is possible with the Nantes City Pass. If you'd like, you can also enjoy deep discount offers on leisure activities and gift shops around town. You will also have access to guided tours, river cruises, and more. There is so much that awaits you – time will simply fly by! Come and spend some time exploring this beautiful part of the Loire River valley. From the grand castles and chateaux to the splendid food and culture, Nantes can be enjoyed by everyone. Enjoy access to 50 attractions and experiences:Musée d’arts de NantesChâteau des ducs de Bretagne - Musée d’histoire de NantesLe Carrousel des Mondes MarinsLa Galerie des Machines de l’îleJules Verne MuseumMuséum d’Histoire NaturelleMusée-atelier de l’imprimerie de NantesPlanétariumLe ChronographeMusée Naval Maillé BrézéErdre River CruiseLa Toue de Nantes (boat trip and tasting)Bateau Ouch CruiseLoire Cruise: Ile de NantesCruise Estuaire Nantes Saint-Nazaire (From May to October)Tourist Train tourCity Tour BusDétours de Loire bike rentalLa Cantine du VoyagePetits voyages extraordinaires Mini-golfFloating - nautical activities (boat rentals)Ruban vert - nautical activities (March to November)Mauves Balnéaire (May to September)La SablièrePaper mill LiveauChâteau de GoulaineChâteau de La FrémoireMusée du Vignoble NantaisLa Garenne Lemot EstateCafé de la BrancheLittle Atlantique BreweryLa Fraiseraie RestaurantLa Cigale Brasserie La Guinguette Restaurant and BarChâteau de ClissonClisson tourChâteau du CoingSubmarine Espadon and Saint-Nazaire Heritage MuseumStation Nuage / Cloud Station (May to September)Le Caveau du Porte-VueTerre d’EstuaireEscal’ AtlanticEOL Centre éolien Saint-NazaireChâteau de ChâteaubriantLe Voyage à Nantes reception officeAudio-guided routes in Nantes (available in English, French, and Spanish)

Explore Nantes on an interactive scavenger hunt. Use your phone and the World City Trail app to decipher riddles and unlock facts. Visit 10 of the most important attractions in the city. Apply logic, observation, and teamwork to solve a location-based riddle and advance to the next destination. Begin the activity whenever you want. Take a break for lunch or to visit a museum any time you wish. Save your progress and complete the tour another day. Start at the Musée d'Arts de Nantes and admire this historical monument. Continue to the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes. Admire the Gothic architecture. Head to the medieval quarter and see the beautiful Château des ducs de Bretagne, which dates back to the 15th century. Follow the route to the Église Sainte-Croix and see the stained glass windows. Arrive at your 5th stop to see the Basilique Saint-Nicolas de Nantes. Marvel at this towering basilica. Walk around Place Royale and admire the fountain in this pedestrianized square. Discover the Passage Pommeraye, a quaint shopping arcade built in the 1840s. Go to the Cr. Cambronne, the Natural History Museum, and the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery.

Discover the Machines of the Isle of Nantes by Segway, with a guided tour of the island's main attractions. Zoom around and find the courthouse, the mythical elephant, the carousel of the marine worlds, the Maille Breze, the cranes of the Titans, and the project of the Heron Tree. Meet your guide and get acquainted with your self-stabilized, Segway. Perfect for all levels of experience, spend a few minutes to feel confident, then venture into the unforgettable exhibition. Enjoy yourself, as you explore the large space, that offers plenty of fun. Learn about the artists who reclaimed this area for their art exhibition and look way up at the massive installations. Marvel at the machines and ponder their size. Admire the unique setting along La Loire and have a unique experience.

Visit the wine estate Château du Bois-Huaut and take a leisurely stroll in the vineyard, tour the cellars with a guide, and participate in a professionally guided wine tasting masterclass with tastings of 8 different wines. Then take home 2 bottles of wine. Located just outside Nantes, in Gorges, Château du Bois-Huaut is an estate hand-picking its 14 different grape varieties (Muscadet, Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet, Sparkling and sweet) since 1897, having been in the family for more than 4 generations. Enjoy a guided tour of the wine cellars and learn more about the historic winery and wine-making.  Join a relaxed wine tasting workshop lead by an expert sommelier and awaken your tastebuds as your tasting session includes dry, semi-dry, sweet, sweet wines, vintage wines, and barrel-aged wine. Learn more about wine, how to make the most of the aromas, and how to taste the wine. Taste 8 of the wine maker's favorite wines and at the end you will be offered two bottles per person to take home Feel free to wander around the stunning vineyard at your own pace.

With fast-track access, get right into this medieval castle and see the world's biggest and oldest collection of medieval tapestries. Get amazing city views from over the castle walls too! With 17 stunning and looming towers, the Château d'Angers was founded in the 9th century by the Counts of Anjou and expanded in the 13th century. Step back in time to the refined court life in France. Wander through the magnificent traditional gardens and out to the castle moats, walk along the wall for panoramic city views. Don't miss your chance to see the world-famous Apocalypse Tapestry. Woven in 1375 of 14th-century life in France, is one of the world's best tapestries. Spanning 103m in length and housed in its own impressive room, it's the largest woven work in medieval history.

Make travel as much about the people you meet as the places you see. Get a welcome to Nantes from a local eager to share all the tips to help you make the most of your stay. Meet at your accommodation and get familiar with the neighborhood and learn about the best places to eat, buy groceries and get around. Alternatively, meet at a central landmark or intersection to start your walking tour. Hear about the top things to do in the city, customized to your interests. Feel more comfortable navigating the city on your own, confident that you have all the information you need.

Escape the busy city of Paris and immerse yourself in the French countryside on this 2 day trip. The tour departs the city and crosses the western districts of Paris along the Normandy motorway to reach your first destination. At Mont Saint-Michel, enjoy a fascinating guided visit of the abbey’s interior and marvel at the Gothic and Romanesque architecture of the building. Spend some free time exploring the rest of the abbey and surrounding village. After the abbey, head towards Château d’Angers for your overnight stay. Check into your 4-star hotel for the night and relax before the second day of the tour. On the second day, wake up to a delicious breakfast and begin your journey to the breathtaking Loire Valley. Upon arrival in the valley, visit the Castle Langeais passing by Cunault and Saumur along the way. Enjoy a guided tour of the Chenonceau and Chambord castles and learn about the rich history of the people who lived here. Finally, on the return to Paris, marvel at the stunning landscape of the countryside as you travel.

Start your Segway tour of Nantes on Place Royale, where the statues of the large fountain tell the story of the city and Loire River and its tributaries. Benefit from a short training session before you glide off through the city center and along the banks of the Erdre River. See landmarks from the history of the city, such as the 15th-century cathedral and the former residence of the dukes of Brittany.  Get lots of information about what you will see, and time to take souvenir photos of you and your friends or family whenever you want. 

Take a cycling day trip from Le Mans and discover the wonders of the Loire’s cultural heritage. Start by traveling to Muides-sur-Loire from Le Mans with your guide. Then, start cycling and make your way to the local forest of Boulogne, where the famous castle of Chambord is based. After a picnic in a picturesque spot, you will head to the castle of Cheverny and its beautiful gardens. Take a short break before continuing your bike tour. Then, cross the scenic vineyards famous for their fruity red wines of Cheverny AOC, made from gamay and pinot noir grapes. Learn about how white wines are made with sauvignon and chardonnay. Pedal towards the finish line at the castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which marks the grand finale of a memorable day out.

Drive through the beautiful French countryside to discover Middle Age and Gothic-inspired architecture, and learn the intriguing history of Normandy and France from an expert guide. Cross to the tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel, and soak up the refinement of prestigious Loire Valley castles, such as the vast royal Château de Chambord. Day 1 (Friday): Traveling by luxury air-conditioned coach, depart Paris via the western districts and take the Normandy motorway as far as Mont Saint-Michel. Arriving at approximately midday, stop for lunch at the 4-star Relais Saint Michel, offering fantastic views across to the island. After lunch, ascend to the Abbey on the summit of the mount for a guided visit of its Gothic and Romanesque interior. Enjoy some time at leisure exploring the narrow, hilly streets before your departure for Angers, cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the Hotel Mercure Lac de Maine (or similar accommodation). Day 2 (Saturday): After a hearty breakfast, drive to Langeais, passing Cunault and Saumur en route. Driving by vineyards, enjoy views of romantic castles on the horizon. Arrive at Château de Langeais to explore one of the best-known examples of late medieval architecture. Continue with a guided visit of Clos-Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last dwelling place. Stroll through the stunnning gardens of Villandry, and visit the old historic district of Tours on the lower reaches of the Loire. An evening meal will be served at your overnight stop in Tours at the Hotel Mercure. Day 3 (Sunday): Take a guide tour of the Château de Chenonceau, built on the site of an old mill across the River Cher. Continue to the decorative Château de Cheverny, used by Tintin creator, Hergé as the inspiration for his fictional Château de Moulinsart. After lunch at the Hotel Saint-Hubert, go to the Château de Chambord to explore the largest and most imposing castle in the Loire Valley. Admire the distinctive French Renaissance architecture, which blends impressively with traditional medieval forms.