A Travel Price Comparison for France Nice vs. Nantes for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Old Town

Should you visit Nice or Nantes?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nice and Nantes can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nice

Nice is a trendy, chic, and glamourous seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Nantes

Nantes is a historical, beautiful, and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Nice and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Nantes?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nice than Nantes, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nice is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Nantes is known for its museums. Nice is more touristy than Nantes and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also home to The Promenade des Anglais. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Nice different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at first-rate restaurants in both Nice and Nantes.

Many restaurants in Nice have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

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).

Is Nice or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Nice is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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.

Is Nice or Nantes Better for Resorts?

Nice is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Nantes is not a resort destination.

Nice offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Nantes is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Nantes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nantes is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Nantes is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Nantes Better for Beaches?

Nice is a very popular place for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Nice. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Nice or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nice is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Nice to see the historical old town. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

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 Nice or Nantes?

Both Nice and Nantes are high quality shopping destinations.

Nice is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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.

Is Nice or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Nice is a family-friendly seaside destination. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Nice or Nantes Better for Couples?

Nice is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Nice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

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.

Is Nice or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nice 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 Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

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 Nice or Nantes Better for Students?

Nantes is a city with good options for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Nantes is a good city to visit for 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.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Both Nice and Nantes offer high quality public transit options.

The public transit in Nice can get you around easily. There are both buses and trams.

Nantes offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Nice or Nantes a more walkable city?

Nice 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 Nice. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Worth Visiting? and Is Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Nice?

How long in Nice or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nice and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nice than in Nantes. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nice 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 Nice.

One day in Nice or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nantes. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Nice or Nantes?

Nice is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nice or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Nantes. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nice or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the glamourous destination of Nice. This seaside destination 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.

The friendly city of Nantes offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

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 Nice and Nantes, we can see that Nice 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 Nice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nice 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 Nice Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nice or Nantes?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Nantes, 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 Nice or Nantes?

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 Nice or Nantes in the Summer?

Both Nantes and Nice during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nantes because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nice is a little warmer than Nantes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nice in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Nantes averages at about 19°C (67°F).

Nice usually gets less rain in July than Nantes. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Nantes. The autumn months attract visitors to Nice because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

In October, Nice is generally a little warmer than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 17°C (63°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Nice gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nice usually receives more rain than Nantes. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nice or Nantes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nice as well as Nantes. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Nice this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nice is much warmer than Nantes in the winter. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Nice usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nantes. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nice is a little warmer than Nantes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nice in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Nantes averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In April, Nice usually receives more rain than Nantes. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Nice