Top Places to Visit in Nantes
Nantes is one of the most attractive cities in France and as a result, there are many beautiful places to visit in Nantes. This bustling city is known as the cultural capital of France, and today it is one of the most important tourist destinations. The fame of this city is due to its beautiful scenery and natural landscapes. Historical places such as castles, museums and art galleries are just some of the numerous places to visit in Nantes. The good thing is that many of them are free and easily accessible by the local train system.
Botanical Garden or Jardin des Plantes
The Botanical Garden, or Jardin des Plantes de Nantes in French, is one of the best places to visit in Nantes if you would like to see more than 10,000 types of plants sourced globally. The area that occupies this garden is over 17 hectares.
There are around 5000 types of flower species too. There are also multiple greenhouses here housing scarce and unique collection of plants, especially some one-of-a-kind cacti. The best season to visit the Botanical Garden of Nantes is in the Summer; the good is that there are no charges to enter. You need to pay a small fee if you wish to visit the greenhouses. This garden is on Rue Stanislas Baudry, near Nantes Central and Gare Nord transit stations. You can also bring your dog inside.
Les Machines de l’Île or Parc des Chantiers
Les Machines de l’Île is probably one of the most attractions in Nantes. This sightseeing place is located in the amusement Park Building in Boulevard Léon Bureau which used to be a shipyard. The main attraction in this park is undoubtedly the 12-foot Big Elephant, made from many pieces of metal and has moving parts and tires to be moved around.
Other magnificent creatures here will amaze you with detailed movement and accurate shapes. These are improved versions of the old automata mechanical objects of the 18th century. The Nantes elephant tickets will cost you around $10 each and the open times are from 10 Am to 8 Pm daily.
Natural History Museum on Rue Voltaire
The Natural History Museum, on Rue Voltaire street, is where to learn more about multiple animal anatomy and their skeletons. This museum is very similar to other natural history across Europe. Still, it has some unique exhibits and fossils that are hard to find elsewhere. The Natural History Museum tickets currently cost you about $5 and the opening hours are daily from 10 Am to 7 Pm.
Château des ducs de Bretagne in Bouffay District
The Château des ducs de Bretagne is one of the main historical places to visit in Nantes. This building is considered a symbol of the history of this city and it is possible to see the beautiful and royal buildings inside. Before, in the current location of the “Château des ducs de Bretagne,” there was a palace called “The New Tower,” which was built in the 13th century.
This castle was also used as a military fortress. “The Museum of Urban History is also located in this castle, where you can visit items that show the history of the city of Nantes well. For example, seeing the special place of British dukes here is possible. This spot has been the center of commercial and industrial orders of the country.
Japanese Garden in Ile de Versailles
This charming Japanese park is located in Ile de Versailles Central Park. It adds to the beauty of the “Henri Barbusse” neighborhood. This garden’s size may not be massive, but it is one of those places to visit in Nantes that gives you indescribable peace and tranquility in the busy center of the city. Many sparkling ponds in the Japanese garden are designed to simulate the oriental landscape.
The best season to visit the park is spring, as the colorful cherry blossoms open and create a stunning sight. Rock gardens, waterfalls, and plants such as bamboo, cypress, and bonsai trees are inside this amazing Japanese Garden.
