Planning a trip to Nantes in 2026? This complete audio travel guide takes you deep into one of France’s most creative and underrated cities.
From the medieval Château des Ducs de Bretagne to the 12-meter mechanical elephant of Les Machines de l’Île, Nantes blends Celtic heritage, industrial history, and pure Jules Verne imagination.
In this episode, we explore:
• The identity question — is Nantes part of Brittany?
• The Green Line (Le Voyage à Nantes) and how to use it
• The city’s maritime and slave-trade history
• The Island of Machines and the famous Giant Elephant
• The Passage Pommeraye and Art Nouveau architecture
• Local food: galettes, seafood, beurre blanc & Muscadet wine
• Budget transport hacks from the airport
• The best areas to stay and when to visit
Whether you’re visiting western France for the Loire Valley, Brittany, or the Atlantic coast, Nantes deserves more than a day trip.
If you’re exploring France, check out our other deep dives on Lyon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and regional French food culture.
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Chapters
00:00 Why Nantes Is Unlike Any Other French City
01:12 Is Nantes Part of Brittany?
02:51 The Green Line Explained
03:22 Medieval Nantes & The Bouffay District
04:20 Slave Trade History & Memorial
05:48 19th Century Nantes & Place Royale
05:52 Les Machines de l’Île & The Giant Elephant
07:12 Château des Ducs de Bretagne
07:57 LU Tower & Industrial Reinvention
08:26 Passage Pommeraye
08:30 Green Spaces & Botanical Garden
09:16 Jules Verne Museum
09:33 What to Eat in Nantes
10:21 Muscadet & Breton Cider
11:17 Airport & Transport Money-Saving Tips
12:45 Best Time to Visit Nantes
13:16 Why Nantes Is Worth Visiting