Are you planning to go on a weekend outside of Nantes without going too far away? Then grab your bags because I have gathered for you the best weekend destinations for an exceptional trip less than 2h away from Nantes.
Table of Contents
Towns
Pornic (31 minutes by train)
Spend a charming weekend in this seaside town. Whether you’re planning to take a dive at the beach or simply visit the place, you’ll love it.
On the program: visiting the dock, roaming around on the streets or at the botanical garden, or even visiting the castle of Pornic.
For the sporty ones, you can go hiking along the shore on the “sentiers des Douaniers” to enjoy a magnificent view over the coves, the sea and the coastal villas.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Golden Tulip Pornic Suites: affordable and close to the beach (starting at €86)
- Alliance Pornic Hôtel: luxurious, close to the beach, with a spa and a gym (starting at €290)
- Eco-Domaine La Fontaine: for a unique stay surrounded by nature (starting at €117)
Saumur (1h10 by train)
Between the historical sites and the many vineyards to visit, there are a lot of interesting things to do in Saumur and its surrounding areas.
You can visit the Château de Saumur, a beautiful castle built during the 16th century part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
From the top of its towers and fortifications, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the town and its many vineyards.
The Saumur Castle is also the home of the decorative arts and horse museum.
Apart from the castle, the Distillerie Combier will also teach you about its ancestral savoir-faire with a guided tour of its workshop.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Hôtel Le Canter: affordable, in the town center, close to the wine cellars (starting at €77)
- Château La Marquise: for a unique stay in a beautiful château (starting at €154)
La Rochelle (1h49 car ride)
If you’re looking for a weekend in a town that’s active at night, La Rochelle is the right place for you with its bars, clubs and night shows.
La Rochelle is also a town full of history with many museums and historical sites to visit like the Towers of la Rochelle, the Museum of Automata or the Bunker of la Rochelle.
For the children, La Rochelle is home to one of the biggest aquariums in Europe that will surely leave them in awe.
Finally, you can take the boat to visit the Island of Ré or even visit the Fort Boyard from the iconic French TV show of the same name.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Hôtel La Monnaie Art & Spa: luxurious hotel in the historic town center with a view over the fortifications (starting at €139)
- Hôtel Le Rupella: located in a popular neighborhood with a panoramic view over the Vieux Port (starting at €90)
Clisson (16 minutes by train)
Very close and easy to go from Nantes, Clisson is a medieval town with Italian-inspired architecture.
There are a lot of things to see in this small town surrounded by vineyards: a Middle Ages castle, a Romanesque church and the domain of Garenne-Lemot.
Clisson also organizes festivals like the Montmartre festival dedicated to artists or the Hellfest if you’re going in June.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Homgaïa: a friendly b&b with a garden and a playground for kids (starting at €83)
- La Cascade hotel: a three-star hotel in the heart of nature (starting at €97)
Saint-Nazaire (1h05 car ride)
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For sailing and history lovers, Saint-Nazaire is the perfect destination for the weekend.
Visit the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the place where huge military and civilian ocean liners are built and discover all the secrets of the naval industry.
For a unique outing in Saint-Nazaire, Escal’Atlantic will take you back in time to show you luxury ships of the early 20th century.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Hôtel de La Plage: an ocean themed hotel on the shore (starting at €103)
- Les Portes de l’Océan: a charming hotel on the shore with a pool and a gym (starting at €89)
Beaches
The Pouliguen (1h11 car ride)
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Pouliguen is the perfect destination to practice water sports, so go spend your weekend there!
Alone, with your family, or with your friends, you’ll have plenty of activities to do, such as sailing on a catamaran, a kayak, a windsurfing board or paddleboarding.
Rendezvous at the CNBPP to learn how to do those watersports.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- L’Albatros: a hotel close to the beach, located in an animated pedestrian zone in the town center.
- Westotel Le Pouliguen: a three stars hotel in front of the dock.
The Island of Noirmoutier (1h26 car ride)
For a memorable weekend near Nantes, the Island of Noirmoutier is filled with beaches, stunning landscapes, and places to visit.
There are two ways to access the island: cross the Passage du Gois, a unique cobblestoned road only accessible on low tide or take the bridge on high tide.
On the island, you can go take a dive at the beach of the Dames. You can also visit the salt marshes, the castle-museum of Noirmoutier or go hiking.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Le Rocher des Marais hotel: for a calm stay with a view of the sea (starting at €88)
- Punta Lara hotel: for a luxurious stay in the heart of a pine forest close to the shore (starting at €265)
- Le Caravan’ile: a fully equipped campground with a pool, a sauna and activities for the kids (starting at €441 for one week)
The Sables-d’Olonne (1h24 car ride)
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You’ll find a plethora of beaches in the Sables-d’Olonne. From the fine sand beaches to the wild ones, as well as those dedicated to watersports, you’ll love it there.
Aside from the beaches, the Sables-d’Olonne also has many museums to visit like the Seashell Museum or the Museum of the Blockhaus Hospital.
There is also a zoo for a perfect family outing.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Le Vent des Globes: affordable and well located (starting at €61)
- Les Roches Noires: for a relaxing stay with a view of the sea (starting at €126)
Saint-Gilles Croix de Vie (1h15 car ride)
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Saint-Gilles Croix de Vie is a charming seaside town with fine sand beaches that are ideal for practicing watersports.
On the dock, visit the canning factories and the dockyards and wander around the pedestrian streets of the downtown area as well as the old neighborhoods for a relaxing and calming weekend.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Les Baigneurs hotel: a welcoming place that’s close to the sea (starting at €93)
- Camping Les Cyprès: for a relaxing stay (starting at €286 for one week)
Saint-Jean-de-Monts (1h06 car ride)
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Away from city noises, this seaside town in the Vendée region is perfect for a calm weekend on the shore.
Take a dive at the beach or lie down for a sweet tan. For the sporty ones, many watersports can be enjoyed like surfing, paddleboarding, and kitesurfing. Do them on your own or with the expertise of an instructor.
You can also go for a walk along the pontoon and the embankment of the town. These paths have an exceptional view of the beach and the ocean.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Hôtel Casita del Mar: a charming hotel near the beaches (starting at €165)
- Camping du Bois Masson and du Bois Dormant: close to the beach with playgrounds and a pool (starting at €292)
Countryside
The Gâvre Forest (48 minutes car ride)
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This forest welcomes you for a sweet weekend with your family or your friends.
On the program: walks in the forest surrounded by immense trees and mushroom picking in Fall.
For history lovers, the Gâvre Forest is also the home of a unique 1km long megalith.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Village by Logis: a fully equipped holiday house with playgrounds, near the forest (starting at €221)
- Logis Auberge de la Forêt: an old yet charming inn in the heart of the forest (starting at €102)
Guérande (1h07 car ride)
Famous for its salt marshes, Guérande is a unique destination near Nantes.
Come discover this medieval town with its intact fortifications that will surely transport you to ancient times.
Do not miss the salt marshes: at the Maison des Paludiers, you can learn all about salt culture with its eco-museum and its guided tours.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Eco Nuit hotel: for a unique and affordable stay that respects the environment
- Hôtel des Quatre Saisons: well located in the town center, right under the fortifications (starting at €113)
Les Marais de la Brières (1h car ride)
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Les Marais de la Brières is a real haven when escaping the city.
There are many hiking paths available for a plentiful weekend. On these paths, you’ll discover magnificent landscapes, you’ll observe many species of birds and you’ll get to see the ruins of the Ranrouët castle.
You can also get on a traditional and local barge to visit the marshes in a unique way.
Recommended accommodations in the area
- Camping de l’Etang du Pays Blanc: for a weekend in the heart of the nature reserve of la Brière (starting at €78)
- La Ferme du Blanchot: for a unique stay at an old Breton farm (starting at €102)
- La Mare aux Oiseaux: for a calm stay surrounded by nature (starting at €216)
The lake of Grand-Lieu (35 minutes car ride)
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The Lake of Grand-Lieu is a wonderful bird reserve that allows you to observe the local wildlife from its observatory.
You can also take a walk in the surroundings of the lake to see the town’s vineyards.
For those who might want to take a dive, swimming is actually prohibited on the lake, but many aquatic centers are nearby like Le Grand 9 or La Boulogne outdoor activities center.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Hôtel Château des Marais: a three-star hotel with a view of the lake (starting at €89)
- Hôtel La Bosselle: a small and charming hotel near the lake (starting at €98)
The Génaudières Domain (40 minutes car ride)
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The Génaudières Domain is a family-owned winery near Nantes.
There, you’ll learn all about the production process of the different types of wines as well as the history of this domain that has existed since the 17th century.
Many walkable paths will give you a better look at this stunning place.
To get the most out of this place, a holiday cottage is located right next to the domain, so that you can spend the night there and enjoy the local specialties.
Unique places
Planète Sauvage Zoo (30 minutes car ride)
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The Planète Sauvage Zoo is the perfect place for a family outing. With its 150 species of animals, it is one of the biggest zoos in France.
There are two ways to visit this zoo: walking or riding a safari car. Either way, you’ll discover a lot about the different species and their habits.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Nuit de Retz hotel: a four-star hotel with a pool that’s near the zoo (starting at €92)
- Le Château du Pé: for a unique stay in an ancient setting (starting at €91)
Puy du Fou (1h04 car ride)
Dive into the history of France at Puy du Fou for a one-of-a-kind visit that will enchant kids just like adults.
Explore the Roman Empire with the show “Le Signe du Triomphe”, the Middle Ages and the art of falconry with “Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes” and even World War I with “Les Amoureux de Verdun”.
Make sure not to miss the “Cinéscénie”, the emblematic night show of the park.
Many themed restaurants and hotels are present in the park for an immersive experience: you can stay the night in a Roman villa, a 17th-century château or even in a Middle Ages fortress.
The Château de Goulaine (27 minutes car ride)
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The Château de Goulaine is an exceptional place with its marshes and vineyards. It is the most visited château of the region.
I personally recommend visiting the Cabinet of Curiosities, a room filled with an incredible collection of rare artifacts, eerie scientific tools and exotic objects. They were all gathered through countless trips over the course of the years.
Around the castle, pedestrian paths will take you to the marshes, the landscapes and the Gallo-Roman ruins.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Hôtel La Louée: a modern hotel near the vineyards (starting at €104)
- Au Poème du Chêne: a charming and welcoming inn near the castle (starting at €89)
Legendia Parc (49 minutes car ride)
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Come discover the animal world under a new light at Legendia Parc. This unique park offers a journey in the animal kingdom in a tale-like setting.
Wander around the park to discover more than 60 animal species and be mesmerized by the wonderful shows for an exceptional family weekend.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Roustais Sous la Couette: a spacious holiday cottage with a pool (€107)
- The Plessis Grimaud Domain: for an exceptional stay in a historical domain (starting at €131)
The Troglodytic Museum of Rochemenier (1h36 car ride)
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The region of Anjou is full of unique troglodytic sites, and the Village of Rochemenier is a perfect example of such with its ancient farms and its chapel.
The village is also the home of the Museum of Rochemenier which will show you what ancient farmer life looked like during the 19th century. You’ll also learn about ancient savoir-faires and the tools they used in troglodytic farms.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- Rocaminori Hôtel: for a unique stay at a hotel that’s partially troglodytic (starting at €119)
- The Varennes Domain: a charming house in a calm and ancient setting (starting at €114)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
