With its wide busy avenues crossed by the tram, its squares that have become entirely pedestrian, its 56 km of cycle paths, Nantes plays the compromise between the medium-sized city and the city of good living. On the banks of the Loire and the Erdre one of its tributaries, it is described as "bourgeoise et anar", "classical and avant-garde". But the city of the Dukes of Brittany cultivates the paradox, which is well illustrated by the Éloge de la transgression, Philippe Ramette's sculpture, depicting a schoolgirl climbing on an empty pedestal, Cours Cambronne. Open to all art trends, Nantes is constantly renewing itself to remain attractive. Here are ten hotel addresses to stay without breaking the bank.
To discover
- Podcast Elsewhere: Singapore's hidden surprises and treasures
See alsoWhat to do in Nantes? Our best ideas for activities
Maisons du Monde, Hotel & Suites... stylish
Maisons du Monde, Hotel & Suites... Stylish in the city center of Nantes. Press photo
The first hotel opened by the creators of the decoration stores Maisons du Monde and Vicartem, a real estate and hotel management company, the Nantes opus declines all the fundamentals of the brand: location in the city center, five styles of rooms born from the Maisons du Monde collections, a lobby living space, meeting center, a 100% eco-responsible concept, Breakfast, meal boards and dishes in locavore jars, delicious. And a very friendly atmosphere.
Plus: the 7 apartments from 30 to 65 m2, with hotel services, 400 m from the hotel. Same decoration, same concept, for longer stay, couple or tribe.
The room to book: on the courtyard, on the top floor to be quiet, especially on weekends when the city comes alive. The apartments are really in the hypercenter near bars and restaurants.
The price: 47 rooms and suites, 7 apartments, from 133 €.
Maisons du Monde, Hôtel & Suites, 2, bis rue Santeuil, 44000 Nantes. Phone : +33 2 40 73 46 68.
Surprising, Le Plateau Jules Verne, a whole novel
The décor of bric-a-brac, a lot of furniture and objects of recovery, forms a whole in the image of Jules Verne. Press photo
Who knows and loves the major works of the travel writer born in Nantes in the early nineteenth century will happily immerse themselves in the suites and rooms evoking the most exciting chapters of Twenty Thousand Places Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon Etc.... These hotel pages are leafed through Quai de la Fosse in the heart of the Hotel Durbé, beautiful home of shipowners of the eighteenth century, listed as a historical monument. The décor of bric-a-brac, a lot of furniture and objects of recovery, forms a whole in the image of Jules Verne, inviting to travel, to the wonderful. Great with children and teenagers but also between adults passionate about these fictional universes.
The plus: the small team of Nantes, passionate, in love with their city who offer it in sharing and offer good plans to enjoy it with other places of getaway.
The room to book: La Nuit opening onto a quiet courtyard with its bucolic bathroom and its elements evoking the writer.
The price: six bedrooms and 1 apartment from 99 €, with breakfast.
Surprenantes, Plateau Jules Verne, 86, Quai de la Fosse, 44 000 Nantes. Phone: +33 6 44 49 98.
Heart of the Loire: just romantic
Its rooms are spread over three floors and the most pleasant open onto the charming garden. Press photo
This is the style of address that we like to "find". A house thirties metamorphosed, with taste in boutique hotel, 2 stars, in the city center but quiet. Its rooms are spread over three floors and the most pleasant open onto the charming garden. As soon as the sun pierces the clouds we settle on a deckchair to read, have a drink, exchange good plans with the hosts and gleaned those of the staff, very available.
Strong points: its very family home decoration and its prices drawn to the cord.
The room to book: the blue one, classic of 14 m2, opening onto the garden.
The price: 15 rooms from 75 € on the street and 95 € on the garden.
Cœur de Loire, 3 rue Anatole le Braz, 44000 Nantes. Phone : +33 2 40 74 35 61.
Mercure Centre, Passage Pommeraye : shopping time
This four-star hotel shows another image from the Accor group's Mercure collection. Press photo
A stone's throw from the Passage Pommeraye, a kind of chic "mall" nineteenth-century version, erected on three levels and classified as a Historic Monument, this four-star hotel shows another image of the Accor group's Mercure collection, more contemporary, more design. This one, moreover, allows you to walk up and down the small streets very lively of the historic center, lined with old houses. Those travelling alone will choose a single room at a mini-price. Those who are with their family will opt for one of the large suites designed for four. Those staying as a couple will hesitate between the functional double standard and the cosy junior suite with the double standard. All can enjoy a rich breakfast with local produce and cocktails from the bar.
The room to book: to sleep quietly the 316, perched on the 3rd floor, at the end of the corridor, which avoids hearing the movements of other customers.
Strong points: pets are welcome and a nearby public car park allows you to park without difficulty.
The price: 61 rooms from 95 € the single room; 120 € the double; Breakfast 18 €.
Mercure Nantes Centre Passage Pommeraye, 2 rue Boileau, 44000 Nantes. Phone: +33 2 49 46 78 79.
Seven Urban Suites, river
This four-star hotel is also distinguished by its design and brightness. Press photo
Enclosed between two arms of the Loire, on the island of Nantes, near the busway, central and exotic at the same time, this four-star hotel is also distinguished by its design and luminosity. And shoots down with conviction his joker: conviviality with its great bar and library. We put our suitcases with pleasure that we want to visit the castle, the Lieu unique, the Machines of the island (animals and other gigantic articulated constructions, etc.) or that we come for business, in seminar, the hotel being close to the Congress Center. Buffet breakfast, snacking, prepared dishes, real quality.
The room to book: whether you are two or four, the 2-room apartment of 36 m2, functional and charming.
Strong points: the kitchenette in each room and suite, the small relaxation spa area with sauna and jacuzzi signed Nuxe.
Price: 107 rooms from 120 €, 2-room suite apartment from 190 €.
Seven Urban Suites Centre, 10 rue Konrad Adenauer, 44200 Nantes. Tel: +33 2 51 72 97 00.
Ibis Style centre Gare, small but arty
Here, make way for the very personal works of local artists. Press photo
This is the principle of this Accor collection, called Style, to imagine a slightly offbeat, colorful, "trendy" décor to break the monotony of so-called chain hotels. Here, make way for the very personal works of local artists who animate the common areas, the lobby in particular. Close to all strategic points, from the train station to the magnificent Jardin des Plantes, from the turbulent Bouffay district to the banks of the river, this three-star hotel attracts a wide range of guests: young students, families with a host of children who, both of them, set their sights on family suites.
The room to book: the four rooms 116, 216, 316, 416, overlooking the back of the building and benefiting from a balcony. Quiet and sunny.
The plus: the coworking space and its location in a pedestrian street.
The price: 94 rooms from 84 € for a standard double, up to 120 € for the family suite for four.
Ibis Style centre gare, 8 allée du Commandant Charcot, 44000 Nantes. Phone: +33 2 40 74 14 54.
The Hotel Saint-Yves, the charm of modesty
A small, unpretentious hotel that does the job when you want to settle without breaking the bank. Press photo
Two stars, 9 bedrooms, a decoration a little outdated, a piece of garden, a friendly welcome what more could you ask for? A top location, in the historic center and bicycle parking ... Of course! Like a guest house with its white dining room and antique furniture. In short, a small, unpretentious hotel that does the job when you want to settle without breaking the bank and without thinking too much.
The room to book: one of the two overlooking the garden, bright and quiet.
Strong points: a buffet breakfast with crisp pastries and a lovely owner.
The price: 9 rooms from 73 €, breakfast 8 €, 5 € for children.
Hotel Saint-Yves, 154, rue Général Buat, 44000 Nantes. Phone : +33 2 40 74 48 42.
LHotel: with view
Full frame on the castle and five minutes from all points of interest, even the train station. Press photo
Full frame on the castle and five minutes from all points of interest, even the train station. It is The small hotel, very licked, very decorative, owner where we return as soon as we had the chance to sleep once. The welcome is tailor-made, the rooms lovely and the location amazing. Add to these praises a good salty, sweet, very locavore breakfast, and here is the base camp to crisscross the city, its surroundings or even enrich his cellar with some beautiful bottles bought in the nearby vineyards, to the south.
The room to book: those on the ground floor with terrace. Pleasant even on tristounets days.
Strong points: the view of the castle and the sunset...
The price: 33 rooms, from 89 €, 99 € for the one with terrace.
LHotel, 6 Rue Henri IV, 44000 Nantes. Tel. +33 2 40 29 30 31.
Hotel Le Cambronne , praise of simplicity
This 1-star hotel is quickly fully booked. Press photo
Built in a cul-de-sac, which, in the city center, guarantees almost absolute serenity, this 1-star hotel quickly sells out... By an ideal location and a very pleasant welcome. Certainly the rooms are small but they are pleasant to live. Certainly there is no bar but the breakfast is plentiful. A stop without way for mini-budget sensitive to an atmosphere "like at home".
The room to book: attention no elevator and four floors, so avoid the last floors if difficult walk.
The plus: the proximity of the Quai de la Fosse where it is pleasant to stroll, to have a drink, to simply follow the course of the Loire.
Price: 19 rooms, from 65 €, breakfast 7,50 €.
Hotel Le Cambronne, 1 rue Fourcroy, 44000 Nantes. Tel: +33 2 40 4468 00.
Hotel de la Regate Erdre by Best Western: the exception
For a more holidaymaker and epicurean stay, with the Château de la Gascherie in focus. Press photo
The only hotel in our selection that is not in the city center but on the banks of the Erdre, in the countryside, for a more holidaymaker and epicurean stay, with the Château de la Gascherie in focus, the oldest part of which dates from the fifteenth century. This four-star, very practical is equidistant from the airport, the Beaujoire stadium (for football enthusiasts) and the city center, which can be reached by taking the river shuttle. The hotel is part of an eco-responsible approach and intelligently combines contemporary buildings and a pretty mansion of the eighteenth and nineteenth century where the gourmet restaurant is located.
The room to book: on the second floor overlooking the Erdre. Very country.
Plus: Le Manoir de la Régate, gourmet restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Mathieu Pérou and his wife Anne-Charlotte, menus 40 €, 80 €, 120 €
The price: 42 rooms, from 130 €.
Best Western Plus Hôtel de la Régate, Erdre, 155 Rte de Gachet, 44300 Nantes. Tel. +33 2 40 50 22 22.