A Travel Price Comparison for France Nantes vs. Carcassonne for Food, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Nantes or Carcassonne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Carcassonne, 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Nantes and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Carcassonne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nantes than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nantes is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is more popular for its small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. Also, Nantes is famous for The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

How is Nantes different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Carcassonne and Nantes.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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

Nantes is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Nantes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Nantes or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nantes or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Nantes and Carcassonne both have notable historical old towns that attract visitors.

Nantes has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Many visitors go to Carcassonne to see the historical old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Carcassonne?

Nantes is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nantes or Carcassonne Better for Families?

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

Nantes is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Nantes or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Nantes is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Nantes or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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 Carcassonne Better for Students?

Nantes is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Is Nantes or Carcassonne 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, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Nantes is fairly effecient and thorough. 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 Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Nantes or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nantes or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nantes than Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

Families should spend more time in Nantes than Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne. 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.

One day in Nantes or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Nantes. Most people visit for the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A weekend in Nantes or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the friendly destination of Nantes. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne?

The beautiful city of Nantes offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nantes. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historical destination of Carcassonne. This town 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 comparing the travel costs between Nantes and Carcassonne, we can see that Nantes is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Carcassonne?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nantes is cooler than Carcassonne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nantes in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nantes. Nantes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Carcassonne during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Nantes is generally cooler than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 13°C (56°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Carcassonne in the Winter?

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

Nantes is much colder than Carcassonne in the winter. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Carcassonne in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Nantes is cooler than Carcassonne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nantes in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the spring, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Carcassonne. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Nantes