What to do in Nantes with children?
Visiting Nantes as a family is the perfect opportunity to share a fun, cultural, or historical experience.
The city is particularly vibrant and offers something for everyone, young and old.
Here are a few activities to try to plan your family trip, whether it's for a weekend getaway or during the school holidays!
A visit to Nantes wouldn't be complete without a trip to the famous Machines of the Isle.
Inspired by the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, this fascinating place delights children of all ages with its giant mechanical creatures, including the famous Great Elephant.
Don't hesitate to climb aboard this impressive animal for an unforgettable experience.
📍Address: Parc des Chantiers, Bd Léon Bureau, 44000 Nantes
🕰️Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (varies depending on the season)
💶Admission: €12/adult, €8 for children aged 4 to 12. Free for children under 4. Family discount - 15% (5 people, including a maximum of 2 adults)
What better way to spark children's curiosity than a museum?
Housed in a former warship, the Maillé-Brézé Naval Museum immerses you in the world of the French Navy.
Listed as a Historical Monument, this ship sailed for 30 years on the Atlantic, escorting nuclear submarines.
You'll be able to see all the weaponry and equipment from the Cold War era, as well as the living quarters of the sailors.
📍Address: Quai de la Fosse, 44000 Nantes
🕰️Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Friday from September to June and every day during school holidays and in July and August
💶Prices: €14/adult, €10 for children under 12, €12 for young people aged 12 to 17. Family rate available for 3 or more paying children.
Based in Saint-Nazaire, this submarine was the first to dive under the ice floe and is the only one afloat open to the public in France.
An opportunity to immerse yourself in the life of the crew and discover life on board, from the main passageway to the listening post and the torpedo room.
📍Address: Avenue de la Forme Écluse, 44600 Nantes
🕰️Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hours vary depending on the season.
💶Prices: €13/adult, €6.50 for children aged 4 to 17. Reservations required.
The Saint-Nazaire Ecomuseum offers an educational approach to the port and industrial history of the region.
On site, you can see models, artifacts, films, and archival photos of the port of Saint-Nazaire, where nearly 170 ocean liners were built.
Since 1923, the site has also been renowned for its aeronautical construction (assembly of Airbus aircraft).
Workshops are offered to families throughout the year.
📍Address: 15 avenue de Saint-Hubert, 44600 Saint-Nazaire
🕰️Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (hours vary depending on the season)
💶Admission: €6/adult, €3 for children aged 4 to 17. Free for children under 4 and for everyone on the first Sunday from September to June.
With young children, hopping aboard the little tourist train to discover the city is an excellent option.
It allows you to visit Nantes in a fun way while giving tired little legs a rest for 40 minutes.
The train departs from Place Saint-Pierre and travels to the Jardin des Plantes, passing by Place Royale and Place Graslin, the Loire riverbanks, and the Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
📍Address: Place Saint-Pierre, 44000 Nantes
🕰️Opening hours: Open daily from April to the end of September
💶Prices: €8 / adult, €5 for children aged 3 to 11. Free for children under 3. Family ticket €20 (2 adults and 1 or 2 children under 12).
Families seeking adventure can also take advantage of the water sports activities offered by Ruban Vert, renting an electric boat or a canoe.
An original way to discover the city on the Erdre or Loire rivers.
The Nantes Family Pass is a great way to access many attractions at reduced rates, while also simplifying your trip planning.
It includes public transportation and most of the activities offered here.
Stay in a 3-star hotel just 2 minutes by tram from Nantes city center.
The Hotel Atlantys offers family rooms consisting of two connecting rooms that can accommodate up to 4 peoples.
They are all air-conditioned and perfectly equipped for a stay with children.
Upon waking, enjoy a family breakfast with sweet and savory options (free for children under 4).
The hotel has free, secure parking for your convenience.
The city is particularly vibrant and offers something for everyone, young and old.
Here are a few activities to try to plan your family trip, whether it's for a weekend getaway or during the school holidays!
Explore the Machines of the Isle
A visit to Nantes wouldn't be complete without a trip to the famous Machines of the Isle.
Inspired by the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, this fascinating place delights children of all ages with its giant mechanical creatures, including the famous Great Elephant.
Don't hesitate to climb aboard this impressive animal for an unforgettable experience.
Practical Information
📍Address: Parc des Chantiers, Bd Léon Bureau, 44000 Nantes
🕰️Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (varies depending on the season)
💶Admission: €12/adult, €8 for children aged 4 to 12. Free for children under 4. Family discount - 15% (5 people, including a maximum of 2 adults)
Discover the Maillé-Brézé Naval Museum
What better way to spark children's curiosity than a museum?
Housed in a former warship, the Maillé-Brézé Naval Museum immerses you in the world of the French Navy.
Listed as a Historical Monument, this ship sailed for 30 years on the Atlantic, escorting nuclear submarines.
You'll be able to see all the weaponry and equipment from the Cold War era, as well as the living quarters of the sailors.
Practical Information
📍Address: Quai de la Fosse, 44000 Nantes
🕰️Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Friday from September to June and every day during school holidays and in July and August
💶Prices: €14/adult, €10 for children under 12, €12 for young people aged 12 to 17. Family rate available for 3 or more paying children.
Boarding the Espadon Submarine
Based in Saint-Nazaire, this submarine was the first to dive under the ice floe and is the only one afloat open to the public in France.
An opportunity to immerse yourself in the life of the crew and discover life on board, from the main passageway to the listening post and the torpedo room.
Practical Information
📍Address: Avenue de la Forme Écluse, 44600 Nantes
🕰️Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hours vary depending on the season.
💶Prices: €13/adult, €6.50 for children aged 4 to 17. Reservations required.
Explore the Saint-Nazaire Ecomuseum
The Saint-Nazaire Ecomuseum offers an educational approach to the port and industrial history of the region.
On site, you can see models, artifacts, films, and archival photos of the port of Saint-Nazaire, where nearly 170 ocean liners were built.
Since 1923, the site has also been renowned for its aeronautical construction (assembly of Airbus aircraft).
Workshops are offered to families throughout the year.
Practical Information
📍Address: 15 avenue de Saint-Hubert, 44600 Saint-Nazaire
🕰️Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (hours vary depending on the season)
💶Admission: €6/adult, €3 for children aged 4 to 17. Free for children under 4 and for everyone on the first Sunday from September to June.
Enjoy Nantes aboard the little tourist train
With young children, hopping aboard the little tourist train to discover the city is an excellent option.
It allows you to visit Nantes in a fun way while giving tired little legs a rest for 40 minutes.
The train departs from Place Saint-Pierre and travels to the Jardin des Plantes, passing by Place Royale and Place Graslin, the Loire riverbanks, and the Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
Practical information
📍Address: Place Saint-Pierre, 44000 Nantes
🕰️Opening hours: Open daily from April to the end of September
💶Prices: €8 / adult, €5 for children aged 3 to 11. Free for children under 3. Family ticket €20 (2 adults and 1 or 2 children under 12).
Enjoy a relaxing break at the Ruban Vert water sports center
Families seeking adventure can also take advantage of the water sports activities offered by Ruban Vert, renting an electric boat or a canoe.
An original way to discover the city on the Erdre or Loire rivers.
Enjoy an optimized stay with the Nantes Family Pass
The Nantes Family Pass is a great way to access many attractions at reduced rates, while also simplifying your trip planning.
It includes public transportation and most of the activities offered here.
Your hotel 10 minutes from Nantes Airport
Stay in a 3-star hotel just 2 minutes by tram from Nantes city center.
The Hotel Atlantys offers family rooms consisting of two connecting rooms that can accommodate up to 4 peoples.
They are all air-conditioned and perfectly equipped for a stay with children.
Upon waking, enjoy a family breakfast with sweet and savory options (free for children under 4).
The hotel has free, secure parking for your convenience.
Share on
