Trentemoult
On the left bank of the estuary, facing Nantes harbor, stands a charming fishing village. Colorful facades, vintage signs, excellent fish restaurants... With your feet in the water and Nantes in view, you'll lose yourself in the winding streets of Trentemoult. Despite being so close to the city (only the Loire separates it from Nantes), the village has managed to preserve its authentic character with its multicolored homes, narrow and quirky alleyways where a festive, guinguette atmosphere reigns. This is where Jean-Loup Hubert filmed "La Reine Blanche" in 1991. We love strolling through here with our sweetheart or family. Enjoying a drink with friends. Wandering through the maze of streets and sipping a drink on the terrace, feet in the water, gazing out at the city beyond the Loire.
Getting there: The nearest train station is Nantes Station. From there, you can reach Trentemoult by river... thanks to the Navibus Loire, which connects the Maritime Station to Trentemoult.
What to do there?
Take a stroll, snap photos of the brightly colored houses, take your time. Admire the permanent work of Estuaire signed by Roman Signer: "The Pendulum". From there, you can enjoy views of Nantes and spot the Bretagne Tower, which dominates the skyline. On Saturday mornings, explore the market in this charming village you'll never want to leave.
THE place to go
Not one but two great addresses for food lovers! The first one is tucked away in the narrow streets and serves lunch to take away, with home-style cooking made from fresh ingredients. You order them 48 hours in advance&in advance and we pick up our basket from the window - perched high up! The second is a must: La Civelle. On the banks of the Loire, this fishermen's restaurant has earned its stripes. The food is excellent and the views are stunning!
Le Panier Perché
5, rue Clouart, Trentemoult - Rezé
Tel.: 06 75 03 75 80
La Civelle
21, quai Marcel Boissard, Trentemoult - Rezé
Tel.: 02 40 75 46 60
Clisson
In the heart of the Nantes Wine Region, this medieval town is also nicknamed "Little Tuscany." (Re)built from the travel memories of two brothers who visited the Chianti Valley, Clisson is a clever blend of tiles, bricks, slate, and granite. Its castle overlooks the Sèvre and Maine rivers, and its cobblestone streets transport you far to the South. Yet you're only 30 minutes from Nantes. We love how time seems to stand still in Clisson, its history... you'd almost hear an Italian accent around every corner, and yet, the town is firmly rooted in its local heritage, with its many wine cellars where one can
enjoys a very good muscadet.
Getting there: By train from Nantes station. The journey takes between 20 to 30 minutes, for around 6 euros.
What to do there?
Visit the castle with the family, stroll through its courtyard, explore its ruins and admire the view. Shop at the market every Friday morning and wander under the market halls while snacking on your finds. You can also come for the Hellfest, France's biggest extreme music festival, every year in June!
THE must-visit spot
Where to stay: Treat yourself to a night at the Best Western Villa Saint Antoine hotel. Facing the Castle, with the river flowing below, treat yourself to a relaxation treatment and a romantic night in this timeless city.
Hotel Villa Saint Antoine
8, rue Saint Antoine - Clisson
Phone: 02 40 85 46 46
Rooms from 81€
Where to eat: Lunch at Au Pied de l'Escalier, where you'll discover delicious local and international dishes, with spices at every stage from appetizer to dessert! Utterly delightful!
Au Pied de l'Escalier
3, rue de la Collégiale - Clisson
Phone: 02 40 31 87 86
Oudon
A guaranteed step back in time when you stroll through Oudon. This charming riverside town on the Loire overflows with nooks and crannies, cobblestone streets decorated with little flags that invite you to celebrate. Overlooking the river and the valley below, the Oudon Tower is a castle over 600 years old, which you can climb to the top of to admire the view. We love the vibe here, between quaint village and artistic town. The Tower is incredible and you feel so close to nature.
Getting there: Oudon has a train station on the TER Nantes-Angers line. Be sure to check that the train stops there, but you should budget around twenty minutes.
What to do there?
In summer, you can swim at the Oak Lake or set off to explore the valley by canoe. History buffs will visit the castle with a guide, while adventure seekers will go hiking. The Loire by Bike passes through here, and in August there's a Monumental Sculptures Symposium, a curious and unique event! A cruise aboard La Luce : if you cross the Oudon bridge, you'll reach Champtoceaux.ux, on the other side of the Loire. There, you can set off on a 1h15 cruise along the Loire. Oudon is also the launching point for many hot air balloons!
THE must-visit spot You can't visit Oudon without stopping to eat – whether as a couple or with the family – at Villa Saint-Germain! It's a little upscale but not too much, and you'll enjoy local, seasonal cuisine.
Villa Saint-Germain
170, rue Alphonse Fouschard - Oudon
Phone: 02 51 14 10 04
