Tour Information
70 minutes
2.2 miles / 3.5 km
Welcome to Voyage Owl’s walking tour of Nantes, a city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and a strong connection to the Loire River. From the medieval Château des Ducs de Bretagne to the innovative Machines de l’île, this tour will take you through the heart of Nantes, uncovering centuries of fascinating stories.
Start your journey at the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and explore its medieval fortifications and Renaissance palace. Visit the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, admire the neoclassical architecture of Place Royale, and stroll through the charming Passage Pommeraye. Along the way, reflect on Nantes’ history with the Atlantic slave trade at the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery and enjoy the beauty of the Jardin des Plantes.
Conclude your tour at La Place Graslin, the cultural heart of Nantes, where the Théâtre Graslin stands as a testament to the city’s long-standing artistic heritage. Whether you're here for the history, art, or atmosphere, this tour showcases the best of Nantes’ vibrant past and present.
Welcome to Voyage Owl’s walking tour of Nantes, a city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and a strong connection to the Loire River, located in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. Nante...
Stop 1
Our tour begins at the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, a grand medieval fortress and one of the most iconic landmarks in Nantes. Located in the heart of the city, this impressive castle was the residenc...
Stop 2
Just a short walk from the Château des Ducs de Bretagne brings us to the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, one of the most important religious buildings in Nantes. This towering Gothic cathedral,...
Stop 3
From the cathedral, we continue to the Place Royale, one of the most beautiful and lively squares in Nantes. Designed in the 18th century, this elegant square is a masterpiece of neoclassical architec...
Stop 4
Our next stop is the Passage Pommeraye, a stunning 19th-century shopping arcade that is one of the architectural gems of Nantes. Built in 1843, the Passage Pommeraye is a unique blend of neoclassical ...
Stop 5
From the historic center, we cross over to the Île de Nantes, a large island in the middle of the Loire River that has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Once the industrial heart of...
Stop 6
Our next stop takes us to a powerful and moving site: the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, located along the banks of the Loire River. This memorial, inaugurated in 2012, serves as a reminder of ...
Stop 7
After the emotional experience of the memorial, we head to the Jardin des Plantes, a lush and beautiful botanical garden that offers a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. Located near ...
Stop 8
Our final stop on this walking tour takes us to La Place Graslin, one of the most elegant squares in Nantes, and home to the Théâtre Graslin, the city’s historic opera house. Built in 1788, the Théâtr...
Our walking tour of Nantes has taken you through centuries of history, from its medieval roots as the capital of the Duchy of Brittany to its transformation into a modern, creative, and forward-thinki...