Nantes
Nantes
Nantes
Nantes
Nantes
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
Nantes
Nantes
Nantes
Nantes
Nantes
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
IN A NUTSHELL

Visit Nantes with Children

Nantes, the former capital of Brittany, is a family destination with activities for all ages within walking distance. Follow the green line painted on the ground to discover the historical heritage and artistic highlights of the city. Visiting Nantes with children is a recipe for a fantastic holiday. From a castle to a mechanical Grand Eléphant and several playgrounds to over 100 parks and gardens, young and old will love visiting the city.

Ideal for Toddlers

90%

Ideal for Children

90%

How to Get to Nantes with Children

The airport of Nantes has transport links with a total of destinations close to a hundred.

Malta: direct flight from Malta International Airport.

Portugal: 4 direct flights (including Porto and Lisbon)

Ireland: direct flight from Dublin

Italy: 12 direct flights (including Rome, Naples, Florence, Milan and Palermo)

UK: 7 direct flights (including London, Manchester and Edinburgh)

Spain: 13 direct flights including Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Seville and Malaga)

Find out all about the destinations at Nantes airport.

Nantes is also very accessible by train: 2 hours from Paris / 5 hours from Brussels.

The Best Time to Visit Nantes with Children

Nantes is a city to visit all year long.

The Permanent Voyage is an urban trail of around twenty kilometres taking the visitors from a work of art by one of today’s great artists to a remarkable heritage piece. Like all the other attraction in Nantes, this trail is accessible all year round.

Must Dos When in Nantes with Children

  • Visit the Machines de l’île
  • Visit the city following the Green Line
  • Visit the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
LOCATION

Hotels in Nantes

Our Top Family-Friendly Hotels in Nantes

Hotels found within the city centre:

Hotel Duquesne**

Hotel Amiral ***

Grand Hotel Mercure ****

Accommodation close to the city-centre:

Nantes Camping *****

 

family in a hotel Nantes France
location icon
Miroir de leau Nantes France

© Jean-Dominique Billaud-LVAN

activities icon
PLAY

Activities for children ages 0-5

Tiring our babies and toddlers whilst they absorb all that is around them.

The Machines de l’île

Miroir d’eau de Nantes

The Jardin des Plantes – The botanical garden  with playground “Dépodépo”.

The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany – Courtyard and fortifications.

Playgrounds – Square Élisa Mercœur, Jardin des Voyages, On a marché sur la Lune.

Trentemoult – Former home to fishermen and Cape Horners.

Estuaire Nantes <> Saint-Nazaire – A cruise along the river Loire.

Passage Pommeraye – Many shops in a famous 1843 passage with a stunning architecture.

The Museum d’histoire Naturelle – For animal lovers.

PLAY

Activities for older children

Keeping the older kids happy, entertained, and reducing the amount of times they ask for a screen or complain about being bored.

The Musée d’arts de Nantes   Various collection of artworks dating from the 13th century to the present day.

The Machines de l’île

The île de Versailles (isle of Versailles) – A Japanese garden. It’s possible to rent a kayak or an electric boat to discover the river Erdre and its castles.

The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany – The courtyard, the fortifications, and the Musée d’histoire de Nantes.

Trentemoult – Former home to fishermen and Cape Horners.

Estuaire Nantes <> Saint-Nazaire – A cruise along the river Loire to discover surprising artworks.

Passage Pommeraye – Many shops in a famous passage with a stunning architecture.

Children under 18 years, get free access or reduced price to most of the museums in Nantes.

Les Machines de l'Île, Nantes with children

© David Gallard-LVAN

activities icon
On va marcher sur la lune Playground Nantes

© Franck Tomps -LVAN

playground icon
PLAY

Parks & Playgrounds

Parks and Gardens in Nantes

  • The Jardin extraordinaire
  • Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden)
  • The île de Versailles (isle of Versailles)

Discover more about the parks and gardens in Nantes.

Playgrounds in Nantes

  • Dépodépo
  • La Colline
  • Ping-Pong Park
  • L’Arbre à basket
  • On a marché sur la Lune

Discover more about the playgrounds in Nantes.

family at a restaurant in Nantes
food icon
FOOD

Family-friendly cafés & restaurants in Nantes

Our Favourite Cafes and Restaurants in Nantes

Heb Ken

Guerlais

La Fraiseraie

Coq Monsieur

Café de la Branche

To discover the local cuisine and wines, the Tables de Nantes guidebook offers a selection of restaurants that are also child-friendly.

TRANSPORTATION

How to Get Around Nantes with Children

Nantes is also very accessible by train – 2 hours from Paris / 5 hours from Brussels.

In Nantes, it is easy for families to use public transport. The entire network (tramway, buses, navibus) is free for children under six.

To visit the surroundings of Nantes,the best way to travel is by train.

With the City Pass Nantes and regardless of its duration, public transport are included as well as the train to Clisson that leads to the Muscadet vineyards. With the city Pass Nantes 7-days, the train to Saint-Nazaire is also included, enabling visitors to discover the artistic trail Estuaire Nantes <> Saint-Nazaire art collection.

Getting around Nantes with children - train
transport icon
Child in a toy shop looking at cuddly toys
TOYS

Toy Shops & Clothing Stores in Nantes

Moulin Roty – Local brand offering mainly wooden toys.

Jacadi – French clothing brand for children.

Catimini – French clothing brand for children.

Le Montreur d’ours – 2 Local shop specialised in cuddly toys.

Insider Tips

The Pass Nantes

The Pass Nantes unites 50 of the sites, sights and services in Nantes, Saint-Nazaire and the vineyards. With a bespoke offer for each of the 4 seasons, the Pass is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours or for 7 days.

Check for Special Events & Festivals

Before your trip, check the city’s event calendar to see if there are any family-friendly activities happening during your visit. It could be a puppet show, a street performance, or a cultural festival that adds an extra dose of excitement to your trip.

Snacks & Drinks

Having a few provisions on hand can also come in handy during longer excursions or while waiting in queues.

TRAVEL TO NANTES

Book Now

[discussion_topics][discussion_board_form]