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  • Nantes (France) - Theater and fountain Place Graslin
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Europe France Nantes Do & See Graslin Theatre

Graslin Theatre

The guide was updated:
Dating back to 1788, the Théâtre Graslin is one of Nantes' landmark buildings. Its grand entrance—with eight Corinthian columns—makes it hard to miss, and the inside is all marble, gold, and deep blue velvet. It’s the home of the city’s opera and anchors the lively Place Graslin. Just across the square is La Cigale, the famous art nouveau brasserie, worth a visit even if just for a coffee and a look around.

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Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

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Les Machines de l'Île

Les Machines de l'Île

Located on the former shipyard site, Les Machines de l'Île is one of Nantes' most unique attractions. It’s an entire world where art, engineering, and imagination collide. The star of the show is the Great Elephant, a massive mechanical creature you can ride, but there’s also the fantastical Merry-Go-Round of the Marine Worlds, with sea creatures instead of horses, and the ever-evolving Heron Tree. Drawing on Nantes' industrial history, the dreams of Jules Verne, and the mechanical genius of Leonardo da Vinci, it’s a place where creativity takes on a life of its own.
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Musée d'arts de Nantes

Musée d'arts de Nantes

After a major renovation in 2017, this former fine arts museum reopened with a new name and a much bigger footprint. The updated Musée d’arts de Nantes now covers 17,000 m² and includes a striking contemporary extension, a glass-roofed atrium, and even an auditorium. It’s one of the few museums in France, outside of Paris, that covers such a wide span of art, from the 13th century to today. Expect a bit of everything: classical paintings, modern works, and contemporary installations. The collection includes big names like Delacroix, Ingres, Courbet, Chagall, Kandinsky, and Picasso, along with changing exhibitions that bring in newer voices.
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Château des ducs de Bretagne

Château des ducs de Bretagne

Right in the city centre, this 15th-century fortress was once the seat of the Dukes of Brittany—and now it’s home to the Nantes History Museum. The museum itself is well put together, with interactive exhibits that cover everything from the city’s maritime past to its industrial era. There are also temporary shows and events throughout the year. Even if you skip the museum, the castle’s ramparts are free to access and worth the walk for views over the moat, courtyard, and rooftops of Nantes.
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Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul

Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul

Nantes Cathedral, or the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul of Nantes, is currently closed following a fire in July 2020. The blaze destroyed the 17th-century grand organ and damaged stained glass windows and parts of the interior. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with the cathedral expected to reopen to the public in September 2025. Construction of the Gothic cathedral began in 1434 and spanned over four centuries. It houses the tombs of François II, the last Duke of Brittany, and his second wife, Marguerite de Foix.
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Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery

Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery

Nantes was once the main French port in the transatlantic slave trade—around 43% of the country’s slave ships sailed from here in the 18th century. In an effort to confront its past, the city has undertaken a significant political initiative to keep alive the memory of this dark chapter. The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, the largest of its kind in Europe, is part of that effort. It opened in 2012 on the Quai de la Fosse, the same riverbank where many of those ships once set sail. The memorial stretches along the Loire and leads underground into a quiet, contemplative space, marked with names of slave ships, key dates, and quotes from around the world. It’s a poignant reminder of the human cost behind the city’s former wealth—and a place to pause and reflect.
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Île de Nantes

Île de Nantes

Once home to shipyards and heavy industry, the Île de Nantes has been completely transformed. Since the late '80s, it’s been turning into a mix of modern living spaces, bold architecture, and creative spots, while still keeping traces of its industrial past. It’s one of those areas that’s always evolving. As you walk around, you’ll see unusual buildings by big-name architects like Jean Nouvel and Christian de Portzamparc, alongside old cranes and warehouses that have been repurposed. It’s a great place to explore if you’re into architecture, urban design, or just want a walk that’s a bit different from the usual historic centre.
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Estuaire Nantes - Saint-Nazaire

Estuaire Nantes - Saint-Nazaire

Stretching 60 km along the Loire between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, this open-air art trail mixes contemporary art with the landscape of the estuary. Since 2007, over 30 large-scale works by international artists have been installed in unusual or striking spots—on the riverbanks, under bridges, even out in the water. It’s not just about the art; the trail also leads you through lesser-known places, giving you a fresh look at the area’s heritage and natural surroundings. You can explore parts of it by car, bike, or boat, depending on the season.
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Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden)

Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden)

If you’re in the mood for a peaceful stroll, the Jardin des Plantes is the place to be. It's a lush spot right in the city, packed with exotic plants from all over the world—trees from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The garden’s got everything from a gorgeous rose garden to a tropical glasshouse, and it’s actually been around since the 17th century. Nantes is full of green spaces, but this one stands out for its mix of beauty and history.
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