Nantes is undoubtedly one of those destinations that are not so popular, but that can surprise for good those who decide to spend a few days there. A cultural city, full of museums, with castles and basilicas, and the place where Jules Verne was born. We are sure that there are many spaces that we would like to discover in one visit to the city of Nantes.
We will tell you about this capital of the department of the Loire Atlántico in the Pays de la Loire region. It is one of the largest metropolitan areas in western France and was formerly part of the Brittany region. A city that has an artistic and bohemian air, with many museums and inspiration for artists and many historical corners that will tell us about the city's past.
How to get to Nantes
The easiest way to get to Nantes is by plane, landing at the Nantes Atlantique airport. It is in Bourgenais, a town close to the center, about ten minutes away. From the airport we can go to the center of Nantes by taxi, tram, train or bus so it will be easy for us. We can also use the TGV train, which is the AVE in France and has good connections. You can go on the Lyon-Nantes line from Barcelona or Bordeaux-Nantes from Irún. To move around the city there are several bus and tram lines, which run early, from seven in the morning. You can buy tickets that last all day, to get on as many times as we want.
The Isle of Nantes
In this area located next to the river are the Island Machines and the Carousel of the Sea Worlds. These are figures or machines that have different mechanisms for people to enjoy with them during the visit. Inspired by the imaginary of Jules Verne, it is an ideal place for those who love steampunk. What everyone wants to see is the forty-foot tall elephant machine, which you can enter for another perspective. In addition, the elephant moves and spouts water, quite a spectacle. The carousel is a three-story merry-go-round with seating inspired by the marine world. In addition, there is a ship in which the machines are created and that has other fun creations.
Lieu Unique
This building called Lieu Unique or Unique Place is where formerly the made the famous LU cookies that sound familiar to all of us. Today it is a place of leisure where we can enjoy a spa session in the Arab baths, or go dancing at a disco, eat in restaurants or leave the children in a nursery. It has a nice tower that distinguishes it from the other buildings.
Passage Pommeraye
The Passage Pommeraye is a nice XNUMXth century shopping arcade which still continues to act as such. It was created in 1843 and remains in the same style, with a large staircase, various heights, columns, statues and many details. Inside we will find many stores in which to enjoy different purchases.
Banana shed
The so-called banana hangar has this name because it is located in the port area, where in the past the ships full of bananas were unloaded. Today is a leisure area more in the city, with peculiar cafes, modern art galleries or discos. On the walk we will see the Buren and Bouchain rings, which light up at night.
Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
This castle is one of the must-see buildings in the city of Nantes. An old medieval fortress and a XNUMXth century ducal palace. It is also the last castle on the banks of the Loire river before reaching the ocean. Inside we can visit the Nantes History Museum and at night it is illuminated.
The Tower of Brittany
There is always a place in cities from which we can have a great panoramic view of the city. In this case we refer to the Tower of Brittany, a skyscraper where we can go up to its top floor to enjoy a viewpoint that surrounds the entire floor, where there is also the Le Nid pub, with a peculiar decoration inspired by the storks and their nests.
Plant garden
For those who enjoy natural spaces there is the Garden of plants. There are all kinds of plants, but we can also find characters made with bushes in the most original way in the middle of the garden. Look for a flower snake, a sleeping dog, or a chick.
Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral
This cathedral started in the XNUMXth century, but it was not finished until the XNUMXth century. The Nantes city cathedral It has a flamboyant Gothic style. Inside is the sarcophagus of Francisco II of Brittany and Margarita de Foix.
Jules Verne Museum
Since 1978 this museum delights us with all the Jules Verne story. If you like the writer's works, you will enjoy knowing all his work in his museum, located in Nantes, his hometown.