From the Château des Ducs de Bretagne to the Machines de l'Île, among other pleasant surprises, we'd done the rounds of Nantes. All we wanted to do was visit the surrounding area. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that it's possible to get away from Nantes in less than 2 hours and still get a real change of scenery! From Pornic to Guérande, via Noirmoutier and Les Sables-d'Olonne, it's possible to go away regularly for the weekend without getting bored. Follow the Petit Futé guide to discover the best places to visit within 2 hours of Nantes!
1. Where to go within 2 hours of Nantes? Pornic
In just one hour by car (or 1 h 40 by train), you can reach Pornica lovely little seaside town. We had booked a guided tour of the château, one of Pornic's must-sees, and we didn't regret it! It's the ideal place to fill up on interesting facts, while contemplating this well-preserved heritage treasure from the inside. Another pleasant surprise was the faïencerie de Pornic, the very same factory that makes the famous white and blue bowls with your first name on them! The rest of the visit was spent on the beach, on the "sentier des douaniers" and on other walks in the Bay of Pornic. All in all, a real treat!
Our favorite hotelour favorite hotel: What a pleasant surprise to find an inexpensive hotel, with a wellness area and total comfort, at the Mauritia in Pornic. Bookable here, this beautiful hotel is close to all points of interest.
2. Discover Saumur, charm in the heart of the Loire Valley
We stay inland to reach Saumur, 1 hr 40 min by car from Nantes, or 1 hr 30 min by train. We also found a château here, and it's absolutely magnificent! Picking out the must-sees in Saumur, we also discovered some lovely buildings while strolling through the historic center. In particular, the immaculate Chapelle Notre-Dame des Ardilliers left us with a lovely memory. The best thing to do if you're visiting Saumur as a family? A ride in a horse-drawn carriage, to discover the local vineyards and landscapes!
Our favorite hotelthe rooms at theHôtel du Parc are top-notch, but our favorite is the lovely garden with swimming pool. The result: a perfect stay, bookable right here.
The activity to book for your weekendthis excursion on a traditional 18th-centuryboat on the Loire, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The article to read: Where to go for a weekend less than 2 hours from Marseille? 10 destination ideas
3. Stroll through La Rochelle, the Porte Océane
The fastest way to get to La Rochelle is by car. It's about a 2-hour drive from Nantes. Of course, you can't visit La Rochelle without seeing some of its best sights, such as its magnificent aquarium! But visiting La Rochelle also means strolling along the harbor, with its huge period towers as a backdrop... It means strolling through the old town, or visiting the Bunker, a 100% fascinating museum. In short, ideal for a family weekend near Nantes, with the added bonus of beautiful beaches!
Our favorite hotelour favorite hotel: ideally located, the Saint-Nicolas has a big plus: parking! Comfortable and friendly, it's the perfect place to spend a weekend in La Rochelle, and can be booked here.
The activity to book for your weekend a guided boat trip to Fort Boyard.
4. Where to go within 2 hours of Nantes? Clisson
Want to visit the area around Nantes without going too far? Good news! Clisson is just 40 minutes by car and 20 minutes by train from Nantes. Castle, Templar chapel, "Heron under the viaduct": it's hard to say which visit we liked best! Another must-do in Clisson for families, friends or lovers: a kayak trip on the Sèvre.
Petit Futé Tip: visit this beautiful place in May. That's when the Mascarades de Clisson take place, much like the Carnival in Venice. Simply unique!
Our favorite hotelhotel La Cascade: nestled on the banks of the river, Hotel La Cascade is a haven of peace. Calm, simple and cosy, this inexpensive establishment, just a stone's throw away, charmed us during our weekend in Clisson.
5. Visit Saint-Nazaire, between port activity and heritage
Saint-Nazaire is only 1 hour's drive from Nantes and about half an hour by train, making it an ideal place for a short getaway. This port city, sometimes nicknamed "Brittany's Little California", is full of surprises! Among the not-to-be-missed sights in Saint-Nazaire, we recommend the Escal'Atlantic, a reconstructed ocean liner that has fascinated the whole family. In a completely different style, the 6,000-year-old Dissignac tumulus is another fascinating site. And there's more to come:
- visit a submarine,
- eco-museum,
- bois de Porcé, etc.
in short, we weren't expecting so many discoveries - it's a nice surprise!
Our favorite hotelour favorite hotel: we were looking for a cheap hotel in Saint-Nazaire and found it at theHôtel de l'Europe. A large room, a good breakfast, a top-notch welcome: booking a room here is synonymous with a successful stay!
6. Relaxing on the peaceful island of Noirmoutier
Relax in Noirmoutier, just 1 h 40 from Nantes (and about 2 h by train)! Between salt marshes and dreamy beaches, we loved the island's slightly timeless atmosphere. From the Passage du Gois to the historic old town, everything here exudes calm - just what we were looking for for our quiet weekend near Nantes! Is this your first visit? We'd recommend the Noirmout'train for a quick tour of the island, before taking in more of the sights!
Our favorite hotella Villa en l'île de Noirmoutier: jacuzzi, swimming pool, elegant, comfortable rooms - we'll be back for sure! When we booked here, we saw the excellent ratings for this hotel... and we can confirm that it's top notch in every way!
The article to read: What to do on the island of Noirmoutier? The 13 must-sees
7. Where to go within 2 hours of Nantes? Les Sables-d'Olonne
Fancy a weekend near Nantes? Head forLes Sables-d'Olonne, about 1 hr 40 min by car or train. Rain or shine, there's plenty to see and do here, including the Musée du Coquillage. So many species, so many colors... Children and parents come away amazed! Here too, salt marshes are king, and guided tours allow you to learn more about this ancestral production method.
As nature lovers, we couldn't resist the call of the rocky coast and the "Puits d'Enfer". A breathtaking walk, just the way we like it!
Our favorite hotelbetween the ocean view and the private cove, it's hard to say what we liked best about La Villa Saint-Jean! Bookable here, this comfortable hotel certainly has the best location in Les Sables-d'Olonne.
8. Discover Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, a little seaside treasure
Just 1 h 15 (by train or car) from Nantes lies Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, a lovely surprise for our weekend on the Atlantic coast. We can't get the image out of our heads of this long beach lined with authentic little blue wooden huts . It's charming, relaxing and ideal for a short break away from the city. Here, we navigate between beach, market, stroll along the harbor and water sports: the best!
Our favorite hotelour favorite hotel: in their mix of elegant warm colors and bright hues, the Ceïtya 's rooms are superb. Book this comfortable budget hotel here.
The article to read: What to see and do in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie? The 10 must-sees
9. Saint-Jean-de-Monts, beaches for everyone
The fastest way to get to Saint-Jean-de-Monts is by car Saint-Jean-de-Monts from Nantes (about an hour). Wondering what the best things to do in Saint-Jean-de-Monts are? For starters, there are plenty of beaches to choose from, from busy ones close to amenities to more secluded coves where you can totally unwind. Children will love the Oceabul water sports complex or Explora Parc. There's something for everyone in this small town, from the very young to the very old, like horseback riding on the beach. We look forward to returning!
Our favorite hotelwe selected L'Espadon for its proximity to the beach, and we weren't disappointed. One click is all it takes to book this hotel, with its elegant, comfortable rooms and low prices.
10. Where to go less than 2 hours from Nantes? Guérande
Head for Guérandeguérande, near La Baule-Escoublac, is 1 h 15 from Nantes by car, or around 1 h 30 by train. Guérande has more to offer than we expected. Its beautiful medieval town, for example, was a real treat! Our cultural journey continued at the Musée de Guérande, rich in costumes, furniture and other artifacts from the local past. Of course, the salt marshes here are at the heart of daily activity, and we still love rediscovering them. Want more? Here's a small sample of what you can do in Guérande:
- place Saint-Jean,
- the Doll Museum,
- château de Careil,
- the collegiate church of Saint-Aubin.
And if, like us, you love arts and crafts, you're sure to find what you're looking for in the narrow streets of Guérande!
Our favorite hotelfor a romantic weekend in Guérande, La Maison Bizienne is the ideal address, bookable here. On the menu: cosy rooms, a large, well-kept garden and close proximity to the main points of interest.
The activity to book for your weekend: This tour of the Guérande salt marshes accompanied by a guide and a salt worker. You'll explore the traditional harvesting of salt.
The article to read: Where to go for a weekend less than 2 hours from Paris? 19 destination ideas in 2025
Cheap weekends in Europe are good enough. From the Atlantic coast to the more remote outback, the area around Nantes is full of beautiful villages, pretty towns and incredible places to discover again and again. Do you like this format? Check out our articles on what to see and do less than 2 hours from Lyon, or the bestplaces to visit near Bordeaux!
