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

Should you visit Nantes or Giverny?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Giverny, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a serene, inspiring, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Nantes and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Giverny?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nantes. Although Nantes and Giverny are both popular with visitors, Nantes has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nantes is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Giverny is known for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Nantes and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also home to The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

How is Nantes different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Giverny 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 Giverny. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

Nantes is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Nantes or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Nantes for the nightlife scene. 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nantes or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nantes. 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Giverny?

Nantes is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Nantes is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nantes or Giverny Better for Families?

Nantes is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nantes is very family-friendly. 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Nantes or Giverny Better for Couples?

Nantes and Giverny are both very good 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 Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Is Nantes or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Giverny 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 Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

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 Giverny Better for Students?

Nantes is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

Nantes is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Nantes has some very good public transit options. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Nantes or Giverny a more walkable city?

Nantes is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Giverny?

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

Families should spend more time in Nantes than Giverny. 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 Giverny. 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 Giverny 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 Giverny?

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.

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

A weekend in Nantes or Giverny?

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.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny. 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 Giverny?

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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the serene destination of Giverny. 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 Giverny, we can see that Giverny 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 Giverny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Giverny?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 490 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Giverny. Many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Nantes is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 19°C (67°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Giverny this time of the year. In Nantes, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nantes usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives less rain than Giverny. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Giverny. 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 Giverny because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Nantes is around the same temperature as Giverny in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Giverny fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Nantes often gets more sunshine than Giverny. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in October than Giverny. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Giverny in the Winter?

Both Giverny and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

It's quite cold in Giverny in the winter. In the winter, Nantes is a little warmer than Giverny. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nantes in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Giverny averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Nantes usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Giverny. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny and Nantes during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Nantes is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 11°C (51°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Nantes often gets more sunshine than Giverny. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Giverny. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Nantes