There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Nantes each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1 : New Year's Day (national holiday) May 1 : Labour Day (national holiday)On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!
June 21 : Fête de la Musique (celebrated nationwide)Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets and at various venues across Nantes.
July 14 : Bastille Day (national holiday)This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Nantes, a huge fireworks display is set off from the island in the centre of the city and is best viewed from the Quai de la Fosse or the Pont Anne de Bretagne. There are also many dance parties open to everyone held at various venues throughout the city.
August 15 : Assumption Day (national holiday)This celebration, still very popular in Nantes, is marked by the faithful with religious processions and ceremonies through the streets.
Third weekend in September : European Heritage Days (celebrated nationwide)The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!
December 25 : Christmas (national holiday)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3/37 | 9/48 | 86/3.4 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 3/37 | 10/50 | 70/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 5/41 | 13/55 | 70/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 6/43 | 15/59 | 50/2.0 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 10/50 | 20/68 | 64/2.5 | Not the best period to go |
| June | 13/55 | 23/73 | 45/1.8 | Good period to go
|
| July | 14/57 | 25/77 | 46/1.8 | Good period to go
|
| August | 14/57 | 25/77 | 45/1.8 | Good period to go
|
| September | 12/54 | 22/72 | 62/2.4 | Good period to go
|
| October | 10/50 | 18/64 | 79/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 6/43 | 12/54 | 87/3.4 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 3/37 | 9/48 | 84/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
Nantes-Atlantique Airport is located just outside the city's ring road, at the Porte de Grand Lieu, 10 minutes from the city centre.
Nantes is a city very well served by its public transport system. Furthermore, in the interest of improving quality of life for its residents, a number of routes reserved for pedestrians and cyclists are available. Although the historic centre of Nantes can still be accessed by car, traffic is limited to residents and deliveries.
Nantes' trams are certainly an ideal way to get around the city. There are three lines (1, 2 and 3) with 83 stations. In all, the network operates over 44 kilometres (27 miles) of track. A single ticket costs EUR 1.60.
Some 60 bus lines run throughout Nantes and its greater metropolitan area.
A single ticket costs EUR 1.60 (EUR 2 when you buy it from the driver) and is valid for 1 hour on the entire network. A 1-day ticket is also available, for EUR 4.60.
Useful tip: A 1-day group ticket is also offered, allowing unlimited travel for up to four people over the entire network for 24 hours (or on a consecutive Saturday and Sunday) for EUR 7.50!
It is relatively easy to get around the city by car, with the exception of the historic centre, where many of the thoroughfares are restricted to pedestrian traffic or bicycles. It is also difficult to find parking in the immediate vicinity of the historic centre.
Useful tip : Nantes has a public car-sharing system, called Marguerite. In all, 38 cars are available 24/7 at 33 stations. The vehicles are rented by the hour and parking is free. Prices: EUR 5.00 per hour, plus EUR 0.50 per kilometre.
Nearly 180 taxicabs serve Nantes, its metropolitan area and the airport.
Exploring the city by bicycle is a genuine pleasure. Nantes offers more than 470 kilometres (292 miles) of cycling paths, covering the entire metropolitan area.
Useful tip: Bicloo, Nantes' public bike-sharing system, has 103 stations in the city centre (about one every 300 metres), with more than 700 bicycles. First hour is free, EUR 1 each extra hour.
Walking is also an excellent way to get around Nantes. Many public spaces in the city centre, such as the Île Feydeau and the Cours des 50 Otages, have been redesigned to make them pedestrian-friendly.
Upon your arrival in Nantes, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Nantes Tourism OfficeOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The official website maintained by Atout France, the French tourism development agency, provides a wealth of information on Nantes and its region.
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Nantes.
Directory of foreign embassies and consulates in France
The directory made available online by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in French only) includes addresses and contact details for all foreign embassies and consulates in France:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/annuaires-et-adresses-du-maedi/ambassades-et-consulats-etrangers-en-france
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Nantes and France, be sure to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country for the latest travel information and recommendations.
Here are a few basic French phrases that will make your stay in Nantes a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bonjour (morning)
Good evening: Bonsoir
Goodbye: Au revoir
Yes: Oui
No: Non
No, thank you: Non, merci
Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup
Please: S'il vous plaît
I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas
Could you repeat ?: Pouvez-vous répéter ?
What time is it ?: Quelle heure est-il ?
Sorry: Pardon
Excuse me: Excusez-moi
Airport: Aéroport
Train station: Gare
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Hôtel
Hospital: Hôpital
Bank: Banque
Telephone: Téléphone
I'm (…): Je suis (…)
I'm looking for (…): Je recherche (…)
How much is (…)?: Quel est le prix de (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Avez-vous (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Où puis-je trouver (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Où puis-je acheter (…) ?
I'd like (…): Je voudrais (…)
Tipping
In Nantes like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.
