The Nantes things to do given here will help you understand the city's beauty and the delicate intermingling of modern living and historic past.

Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

Nantes Cathedral is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral in the city. Its construction began in 1434 and was completed in 1891. It is very majestic and houses many tombs, including that of Francoise II. It is higher than the Notre-Dame in Paris.

To visit Nantes Cathedral that is located in St. Pierre, take a flight, train, or cab. It is located about 12 km southeast of town from the Nantes airport. The Cathedral is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the summer and from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the off-season. Entry is free.

Graslin Theater

The Graslin Theater was built in the late 18th century by Mathurin Crucy, a local architect. This famous landmark was named after Jean-Louis Graslin, the land owner. The theater's façade withstood a terrible fire that destroyed a large portion of the building in 1813. After it was restored, it has become one of the most beautiful landmarks of Nantes. Visit the Graslin Theater that stands rivaling the famous Opera Garnier of Paris. You can take beautiful pictures of the complete building owing to its location at the road that goes all around it.

Machines de I’lle

This fascinating tourist attraction is an attempt to blend the works of Jules Verne (the science fiction writer who was born in Nantes), Leonardo da Vinci and the industrial history of Nantes. This is located on a former shipyard. Children will find this exciting and adventurous. The three major attractions include a giant mechanical elephant ride, a carousel of undersea creatures, and a flight on mechanical herons upon the branches of a large steel tree.

Machine de I’Ille is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A point to be noted is that tickets sell out fast, so you need to book in advance to gain entry to any of the rides. Group bookings are available. Admission fee ranges from €3 to €5.50, depending upon the age. The duration for each ride is usually 1.5 hours.

Musee Jules Verne de Nantes

For those interested in artifacts and history, take a trip to the Jules Verne Museum. It houses the work and artifacts of the various inventions of Jules Verne, the native author of many famous futuristic novels. It overlooks the River Loire and is housed in a beautiful 19th century building. Enjoy getting transported back in time with the serenity of the surrounding area, and the near-to-life replications of the various inventions on display.

The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on all days except Sunday mornings and Tuesdays. Admission fee is €3 for adults.