A Travel Price Comparison for France Nantes vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Nantes or Avignon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Avignon, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Nantes

Nantes is a beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon

Avignon is a picturesque, historical, and quaint town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Nantes and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Avignon?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Avignon than Nantes. While Nantes is larger than Avignon, Avignon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Avignon is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm, while Nantes attracts visitors for its nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Avignon is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its architectural beauty and historical importance. It is also well known for Palais des Papes. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Nantes different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Avignon and Nantes. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nantes or Avignon?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Avignon has many famous sights for visitors. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Is the Food Better in Nantes or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Nantes and Avignon can be an enjoyable experience.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

Many restaurants in Avignon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Is Nantes or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Nantes has a large number of nightlife venues. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Nantes or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Avignon offers plenty to see. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Avignon?

Nantes is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Nantes or Avignon Better for Families?

Nantes is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nantes. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Nantes or Avignon Better for Couples?

Nantes and Avignon are both great to visit as a couple.

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Nantes or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Nantes or Avignon Better for Students?

Nantes is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Nantes or Avignon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantes is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Nantes can get you to most places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Nantes or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Avignon. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

For even more information, also check out Is Nantes Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nantes or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nantes than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

Families should spend more time in Nantes than Avignon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nantes, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avignon than Nantes if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Avignon.

One day in Nantes or Avignon?

In Nantes, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nantes or Avignon?

In Nantes, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nantes has to offer.

Avignon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Nantes or Avignon?

Nantes is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nantes or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nantes. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nantes and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Nantes.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nantes Expensive? and Is Avignon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Avignon?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Avignon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Nantes or Avignon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nantes or Avignon in the Summer?

Both Avignon and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Nantes is cooler than Avignon in the summer. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Avignon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Avignon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nantes. Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives more rain than Avignon. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Avignon in the Autumn?

Both Avignon and Nantes during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nantes in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, Nantes is cooler than Avignon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantes in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Avignon averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun.

Avignon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nantes usually gets less rain in October than Avignon. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Avignon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Avignon. Most visitors come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Avignon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Nantes is generally cooler than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 6°C (42°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Avignon. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Avignon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Avignon. The spring months attract visitors to Nantes because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

Nantes is cooler than Avignon in the spring. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Avignon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. In the spring, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in April than Avignon. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Nantes