A Travel Price Comparison for France Nantes vs. Calais for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nantes or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Calais, 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 vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nantes and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Calais?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Calais than Nantes. While Nantes is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Nantes attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Nantes is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Nantes different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais 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 Calais?

Nantes is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Nantes offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Nantes is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Nantes or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Nantes or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

Calais has a beach worth visiting. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Nantes or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Nantes offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Calais?

Nantes is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Nantes or Calais Better for Families?

Nantes is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Nantes or Calais Better for Couples?

Nantes is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Nantes or Calais Better for Students?

Nantes is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

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

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Nantes is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Nantes. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Nantes or Calais a more walkable city?

Nantes is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nantes and Calais. In our opinion, Nantes has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nantes than Calais. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Nantes than Calais. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Nantes than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nantes that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nantes than Calais 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 Nantes.

One day in Nantes or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nantes. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calais. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nantes or Calais?

Nantes is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais 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 Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Nantes. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Calais. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Calais?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Calais, 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 Calais?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nantes or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Nantes during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Nantes is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nantes. In the summer, Nantes often gets more sunshine than Calais. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Calais. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Calais. Most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Nantes is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantes in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Nantes usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nantes usually receives more rain than Calais. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantes or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Calais. The winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In January, Nantes is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 6°C (42°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Nantes often gets more sunshine than Calais. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Nantes is a little warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Nantes usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nantes usually receives more rain than Calais. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Nantes