Top Things to do in Loire-Atlantique
Top Hotels in Loire-Atlantique
- 1. Hotel Voltaire Opera Nantes Centre
- 2. Golden Tulip Nantes Carquefou
- 3. Radisson Blu Hotel, Nantes
- 4. Oceania Hotel de France
- 5. Hotel Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre
- 6. Sozo Hotel
- 7. OKKO HOTELS Nantes Chateau
- 8. Residence Odalys Nantes Cite Des Congres
- 9. Best Western Hotel Atlantys Zenith Nantes
- 10. Ibis Nantes Centre Gare Sud
What to do and see in Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in Loire-Atlantique, France including Pont Saint-Antoine, Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul, La Carriere des Fusilles, Les Forges de la Hunaudiere, Chateau de Chateaubriant, Cite Medievale, Le Grand Blockhaus, Village de Kerhinet, Le cimetiere des Chevaliers, Chateau de Ranrouet.
Restaurants in Loire-Atlantique
1. Pont Saint-Antoine
2. Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,547 reviews
This Gothic cathedral features a high nave and many tombs, including that of François II.
Reviewed By johnmN5785EK - Lyon, France
The construction of Nantes Cathedral, officially called La Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul (or simply Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in the vicinity) took more than 400 years to complete. Begun in 1434, it took 457 years to finish, finally reaching completion in 1891. Since 1862 it has been listed as a historic monument in France. The striking white stone is especially impressive and the rich colors of the stained-glass windows make for a striking contrast. The architecture in this classic Gothic cathedral, with the imposing main nave and aisles, great organ and the immense inner column all combine to create a Gothic atmosphere inside the cathedral and make it even more memorable than others, such as Note Dame and Quimper. The beautiful Tomb of Francis II, the Duke of Brittany, and his second wife, Marguerite de Foix the parents of local heroine Anne of Bretagne, with its haunting sculptures of white Carrara marble is considered to be a French renaissance masterpiece. Also noteworthy is the tomb of Gen. Juchault de Lamoricière, a Nantes native and a great African campaigner; sculptor Paul Dubois completed the tomb in 1879. The cathedral's crypt, dating from the 11th century, shelters a museum of religions. The Cathedral was bombed heavily on June 15th, 1944; this necessitated a prolonged restoration which was almost completed in January 1972 when a disgruntled labourer started a massive conflagration with a blow torch. The restoration is nearing complete; an attempt was made to reconstruct the decor of the west façade to the state it was originally in the fifteenth century. This restoration proceeds on the other facades. The cathedral's crypt, dating from the 11th century, shelters a museum of religions. All in all well worth a visit.
3. La Carriere des Fusilles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By le-pecheur-Villepot
We have visited la Carriere many times, when visitors have been staying with us and it still tugs at the heartstrings to think of the brutality of the German occupiers.
4. Les Forges de la Hunaudiere
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
5. Chateau de Chateaubriant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
The departmental chateau de Chateaubriant takes you on a journey from the Middle-Ages to the Renaissance.
Reviewed By India11 - Guildford, United Kingdom
Had a lovely time, learnt a lot, and Pauline, our tour guide, was so kind! We were only able to book onto a French-speaking tour, and were the only people on the tour. Pauline was kind enough to do the whole thing in English, and it was brilliant!
6. Cite Medievale
7. Le Grand Blockhaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 467 reviews
Reviewed By 964alisonp
What a great visit learning the facts about WW2 history relating to the occupation and liberation of the St Nazaire peninsula. The French Host, delighted to have British Visitors made a special effort to explain additional facts about the Blockhaus and introduced us to a 96 year oldmember of the Free French Army who rode in the first jeep that liberated the bunker and surrounding area! Helmets, Uniforms, Ammunition and such interesting facts - a highlight of our visit to the area,
8. Village de Kerhinet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By GrahamNugent - Dublin, Ireland
Nice lace to spend an afternoon and walk around, have a crepe or just to picnic. There ar boat tours of th marshes and you can view the lovely catch roofed homes. There is also a really nice range of traditional shops for buying gifts or postcards. We have visited a number of times and always enjoy this old village atmosphere
9. Le cimetiere des Chevaliers
10. Chateau de Ranrouet
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 107 reviews
The Château de Ranrouët : a heritage site to discoverIn the shade of ancient oak trees is revealed the imposing silhouette of the ruins of the castle of Ranrouët.Located in an unique and unusual setting this sentinel of the marshlands is set apart from its contemporaries which are constructed on higher ground. Its construction began in the 13th century and it was continuously altered until the 17th century. The successive owners the Asseracs, the Rocheforts, the Rieux were able to modify the castle according to the needs of their time.Both a fortress and a residence the castle of Ranrouët is an undeniable witness to the history of Brittany.
