Nantes

France

Things to do in Nantes:

View the Gallery River at Sunset

Nantes Restaurants

Cheap (14)

Brasserie Le Cargo

On a sunny day take a seat on the terrace overlooking the Loire and choose from a selection of cr�pes. This renovated warehouse provides chic surroundings on L'�le de Nantes. read more
Affordable (14)

La Taverne de Ma�tre Kanter

Try the fresh seafood and Alsatian cuisine at La Taverne, which has a large terrace overlooking the beautiful fountain on the Place Royal. read more
Good quality (13)

Le Paludier

The menu here takes the best of sea and land to provide fresh, flavourful but light dishes characteristic of good French cuisine. Oysters, scallops, clams and salmon all feature on the menu. read more

Nantes Nightlife

Chilled (12)

Webb Ellis Bar

An absolute must for dedicated rugby fans. Soak up the great atmosphere at this rugger-themed bar, which serves up beers from around the world. read more
Live Music (8)

Altercaf�

Funky club and venue in the dockside "Banana Hanger" complex. Expect electronic, dub, jazz and funk DJs alongside live sets. read more
Clubbing (11)

Le Zigidi Saloon Bar

Near Place Graslin, Le Zigidi plays disco, rock and funk to an older crowd. Open from 8pm-4am Tuesday-Saturday. read more

This Month in Nantes (March):

By Chris Locke

Shopping: Fromagerie Pascal Beillevaire is a beautiful cheese shop that's been serving locals for years. Spend some time here tasting excellent local produce (8 Rue de la Contrescarpe).

Sightseeing: Nothing can be more French than watching Jean-Michel Jarre wave his strange gloves over light beams as 1970s retro-electronica blares out. Catch his spectacular show at the Zenith Nantes on 18 March (zenith-nantesmetropole.com).

Key areas: Near La Fafayette and the main shopping area, Place du Pilori is a great spot to stop for a coffee and a snack - or something stronger - when you need a break from shopping.

Day trips: Visit the beautiful town of Le Croisic on the Atlantic coast, just 80 minutes' from Nantes. The town is famous for its Oc�arium du Croisic, which is home to 150 marine species, in 40 aquariums, that recreate ecosystems from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Nantes News & Gossip

Hamster Hotel Room in Nantes!

A hotel in north-west France is charging guests �99 for the chance to live like a hamster for a night. The specially kitted out room boasts a giant hamster wheel and a bed of hay, and in the morning, guests can tuck into a delicious breakfast of hamster grain. Some modern additions are also planned for the Hamster Villa suite. After all, a 21st-century hamster can't be expected to survive without a flatscreen TV and Wi-Fi!

Nantes Trivia

March: Although work started on Nantes Cathedral in 1434, it took more than 450 years to complete. Go inside to admire the golden glow of its recently restored walls.
February: Nantes has undergone a transformation in the past 30 years, from a dying dockyard town to a vibrant city. It's recently been voted one of the top cities in France to live in, and France's greenest city.
January: The famous Royal de Luxe are, in fact, from Nantes. The masters of the giant marionette puppet are celebrated for shows such as the Sultan's Elephant in London and their spectacular show celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall.