On the banks of the Loire and its tributary the Erdre, Nantes dreams of being a marine, Breton.
But it is well anchored in Loire-Atlantique, with the Bouffay, a historic district at its heart.
Miraculously preserved during the Second World War, with the castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the Saint Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral and along its narrow streets medieval houses, far from being a museum district, the hyper center, as the people of Nantes call it, renowned for their sense of celebration and conviviality, there are restaurants, bars and trendy boutiques.
Not far away, the Town Hall disappears, in summer, under the thousands of camellias imported from Japan at the beginning of the 19th century by its mayor, Ferdinand Favre, passionate about botany.
Our good addresses.
Read also: 48 hours in Nantes, two days of art and culture in the city of the Dukes of Brittany
The hotel
A minimalist name for this 3-star boutique hotel which is equally so.
Clean, design, the colored tones chosen by the architect give it a good look.
Its immediate neighbor is right in the face, the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.
And not far, the station.
Super nice, the rooms on the top floor with terrace to contemplate the full setting, the castle and the gardens.
In the evening, in the cozy bar-lounge, we have a drink accompanied, if we are too lazy to go out again, with a few snacks that take the place of dinner.
Motorized customers can request a space in the indoor car park when making their reservation.
A plus in this neighborhood where parking quickly turns into a nightmare.
An iMac and a printer are available in the mini-business center.
Ideal address, at a mini-price, for a walk, from one historic place to another.
Only reservation, the breakfast approaching 14 €.
31 rooms from € 69.
The hotel, 6, rue Henri IV, 44000 Nantes.
Phone.
: 02 40 29 30 31.
Sōzō
Located near Nantes Cathedral, Sōzō Hotel was designed in a chapel dating from the 19th century.
Sōzō / Photo press
Sōzō from Japanese “creation, imagination”, a definition that sticks to the place, disused 19th century chapel metamorphosed into four stars with dizzying height under the ceiling, vaults, ogives and original stained glass windows.
Obviously, we sleep like an angel in this place with a religious imprint that shakes up the contemporary furniture of Ingo Maurer, Starck, Paulin, Eames, the Bouroulec brothers, etc.
We could almost walk on tiptoe while whispering, but the warm welcome erases the solemn aspect.
Welcome, after a day exploring the city, the wellness area with hammam, sauna, ice room, sensory shower and short treatment menu at reasonable prices before settling in, delighted in the holy of holies… his room.
The view of the botanical garden adds to the charms of the Sōzō.
27 rooms from € 109.
We fell in love with the “Temptation”, revealing the vaults of the chapel and its round stained glass window above the bed.
Sōzō Hotel, 16 rue Frédéric Cailliaud, 44000 Nantes.
Phone.
: 02 51 82 40 00.
OKKO
Designed by Patrick Norguet, the rooms of this four-star combine aesthetics and functionality, practicality and elegance.
OKKO / Press photo
To establish his first hotel with a very urban concept with the slogan "Four stars and no clouds", Olivier Devys, ex Accor, set his sights on Nantes, a stone's throw from the castle, the recently restored Museum of Fine Arts, the Talensac market, the station and the Jardin des Plantes.
Dream situation!
Betting, in times not "virussée" on conviviality, exchange and sharing, the Club is the beating heart of the Okko where in the evening the hosts read the local newspaper, share a drink, nibble some regional specialties free of charge, exchange their tips around the buffet and the coffee machine, a bit like at the university restaurant, chic version!
In the morning, you can enjoy your breakfast, buffet mostly organic and 100% local The rooms with a very contemporary design, with their fun bathroom unit, very functional, well equipped and soundproofed ensure a quality sleep after a stop at the 'wellness area.
80 hp, from 87 €.
OKKO Hotels Nantes Château, 15, rue de Strasbourg, 44000 Nantes.
Phone.
: 02 52 20 0070.
Oceania Hotel de France Nantes
It was the Hôtel de France (hence the name), in a superb 18th century residence, a flagship time of Nantes where the stars in filming, Jean Marais, Mireille Darc and Jacques Demy, descended.
Tired, old-fashioned, bought by the Breton group Oceania, it once again deserves its four stars.
Restored, it retains its trademarks, parquet, piano in the lobby, imposing chandelier, statues.
Its classicism of good quality, a little agreed in the rooms, matches with its environment, Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, old quarters including the very lively Place Graslin and the Passage Pommeraye, shopping arcade, dating from 1843 and classified as a Historic Monument.
Good point for Rituals courtesy products.
A word of advice, even if the breakfast is more than adequate, go and have it next door at La Cigale, THE brasserie in Nantes with its remarkable Art Deco room.
It's great and turns into a weekend brunch.
Be careful to book at the Oceania Center and not at the airport.
72 rooms from € 84.
Favorite for the 524 on the 5th floor with its large terrace offering a breathtaking view of Nantes.
Oceania Hôtel de France Nantes, 4 rue Crébillon, 44000 Nantes.
Phone.
: 02 40 73 57 91.
Radisson Blu Hotel
The Radisson Blu Hotel is located in the old courthouse in Nantes.
Radisson Hotels / Press photo
Housed in the shaky old courthouse - 1852 - transformed by Parisian architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, the Radisson Blu has totally changed the look and feel of this district, causing real estate prices to soar.
Impressive to climb the steps dominated by the imposing columns and peristyle which led to the courtroom.
In this solemn and somewhat intimidating setting, the Assise restaurant now sits, while the bar, Le Preamble, is spread out over the anteroom where the defendants and their counsel were patient during the trials.
Spa, hammam and fitness room also share this space.
Opened at the end of 2012, this excellent spot, due to its location, a few minutes' walk from sites of interest, is already showing some signs of fatigue which should be remedied.
142 rooms, including 20 suites.
From 115 €.
Radisson Blu Hotel, 6 place Aristide Briand, 44000 Nantes.
Phone.
: 02 72 00 10 00.