Discover the monuments of Nantes

Thanks to its strategic position on the banks of the Loire, Nantes is a dynamic and attractive city. Its rich past has left it many monuments of great importance. The various B&B HOTELS in the Pays de la Loire will allow you to discover a magnificent region for a stay combining strolling and gourmet delights. The heart of Nantes city center is like a dive into the Middle Ages and brings together the majority of the remarkable buildings.

In order to prepare your trip and visit Nantes serenely, we have gathered in this guide the nuggets not to be missed. Discover the emblematic monuments of Nantes, its bridges and its statues.

The emblematic buildings of the city of Nantes

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The Château des ducs de Bretagne is the unmissable monument of the city. It proudly stands in the historic heart

surrounded by its moats and ramparts. It will delight the whole family. Children will love to play knights and lords and run on the ramparts. Parents, for their part, will immerse themselves in a fun way in eight centuries of history with many unusual anecdotes.

The castle also houses the Museum of the History of Nantes which offers fun tours to immerse yourself in the history and heritage of the city.

The Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral of Nantes welcomes you with its two majestic towers and its white stone facade. Its vaults exceed those of Notre-Dame-de-Paris, giving it a grandiose harmony. Behind it, the Oratory chapel is worth a detour. This religious building is a jewel that often houses interesting exhibitions.

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The nearby Cours Saint-André dates from the 18th century and offers a pleasant tree-lined walk to take beautiful photographs.

Take the opportunity to admire the Maison du chapitre whose building was classified as a historical monument by decree in 1954.

The Memorial of the Abolition of Slavery deals with a period that allowed the city to enrich itself between the 17th and 19th centuries. Like Bordeaux, they were important slave ports in France. The monument offers a meditative walk along the commemorative plaques.

The Pommeraye passage is an architectural marvel. Located between the shopping district and the Graslin district, it is composed of galleries spread over three levels. Its majestic central staircase and its ornamental sculptures will dazzle you.

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On the Île Feydeau, stop for a moment in front of the Hôtel de La Villestreux. This building appears on the list of

historic monuments of Nantes just like the Saint-Martin de Chantenay church located further south of the town.

The interior decorations of La Cigale restaurant, Place Graslin, also deserve to linger for a moment. Designed by an architect-ceramist and decorated by a sculptor, the Belle Époque building is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau.

The Lieu Unique is a hybrid building. This former Lu biscuit factory has been converted into an art center with live shows, contemporary art and festivals. Linger at the bar to enjoy superb concerts.

The many bridges and statues that beautify Nantes

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Several rivers cross the city of Nantes. This is why it is equipped with many bridges allowing to

cross the Loire and the Erdre. The Pirmil bridge is the oldest since it dates from the 9th century. It gave its name to a popular song called “Le pont de Pirmil”. It was originally built of wood.

After crossing the Anne de Bretagne bridge, join the remains of the former shipyards to enter an imaginary world. On the site of the Machines de l'île, immense monumental structures await you for a dreamlike journey within a large bestiary of machines. 

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In Nantes, two statues represent a remarkable figure of the region. It is Anne de Bretagne, originally from the city and who was twice queen of France. You can admire them Cours Saint-Pierre and Place Marc-Elder, near the Château des Ducs whose construction she completed.

Another emblematic figure of the city, Jules Verne is represented as a child on the Jean-Bruneau esplanade. This bronze ensemble was erected on the occasion of the centenary of the death of the author of “Twenty thousand leagues under the seas”.

Born in Nantes, he developed a deep fascination for the Loire which was very early on a great source of inspiration.

Do not miss the best addresses in Nantes to have fun, shop or eat. Indeed, among the various activities in Nantes, tasting the delicious Nantes specialties is probably the most important! Finding a restaurant in Nantes that will delight your taste buds is not complicated, because the city is full of excellent tables. With services at any time of the day, take the time to explore the city center of Nantes at your own pace.

Wondering which district to choose for accomodation in Nantes? The B&B HOTELS in Nantes allow you to appreciate all the facets of the city and its surroundings: 

• B&B HOTEL Nantes Atlantis Le Zénith
• B&B HOTEL Nantes Centre
• B&B HOTEL Nantes Savenay
• B&B HOTEL Nantes Rezé Saint-Sébastien
• B&B HOTEL Nantes Parc Expos La Chapelle
• B&B HOTEL Nantes Parc Expos La Beaujoire
• B&B HOTEL Nantes Aéroport 

VWould you like to book a room? Go directly to the B&B HOTEL page of your choice. You can select the types of room and the dates of your weekend in Nantes. For a business event, choose a B&B HOTEL with seminar rooms. And if you have any questions about one of our hotels, our teams are at your disposal by telephone or via contact form. Whether you are looking for a hotel in Nantes, Bordeaux or Marseille, there is a B&B HOTEL to offer you maximum comfort at the best price.