What you should know before hiring a car in Nantes
| Nantes city centre | ||
| Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE): 5 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Nantes: practical information
Where to rent a car in Nantes
Arriving by plane to Nantes? Then the best place to rent a car is from Nantes-Atlantique Airport, upon arrival, if you haven’t already booked your rental car when you booked your flights to Nantes. The airport is located 10km south-west from the city centre.
If you arrive to Nantes by train, the most logical place to rent a car in Nantes will be the city centre. You’ll find most of the same car hire agencies in the city centre as at the airport, located around the Donatien-Malakoff Station: Avis, Sixt, Europcar, NationalCiter, etc.
Driving in Nantes: parking and other tips
Parking areas are marked in blue in the city centre and are restricted to 1.5 hours in the city of Nantes. There’s also some parking near the Loire in the small streets behind the quay.
The closer you get to the city centre you’ll find more and more parking lots that charge per hour, both private and public ones. The best solution would be to find a hotel in Nantes that offers complimentary parking but if not there are a number of car parks near the train station.
Road trips from Nantes: what to do, what to see
Noirmoutier
The “island of the mimosas” is known for its mild year-round climate, allowing mimosa trees to bloom, even in winter. The island landscapes are marked by salt marches, dunes and forests of oaks. It’s rich in natural sites like the swamp of Mullembourg, beautiful beaches and cultural sites too! Visit the Abbey, which has been pillaged by pirates and Vikings!
Saint-Nazaire
This medium-sized town is about 50 kilometres to the west of Nantes. Don’t miss a trip to Escal’Atlantic, a unique place that recreates legendary ships that were built in Saint-Nazaire. A trip onboard the submarine Swordfish” is also an unforgettable experience.
Guerande and La Baule
Along the Atlantic Coast, 80km from Nantes is the medieval fortress of Guerande, surrounded by marshes. Sightseeing tours to the “white country” are particularly interesting, to the places that inspired Flaubert, Gracq and Balzac. The seaside resort town of La Boule is a treat.