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

Should you visit Paris or Nantes?

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

Should I visit Paris or Nantes? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Paris

Paris is a energetic, beautiful, and iconic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Paris and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paris or Nantes?

You'll generally find more things to do in Paris than Nantes. Paris is bigger than Nantes, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Paris is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nantes is more popular for its historical sights. Paris is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. Also, Paris is famous for The Eiffel Tower. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

The Eiffel Tower

How is Paris different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Paris 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, Paris has many famous sights for visitors. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

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 Paris or Nantes Better for Theater?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Nantes is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in Paris. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

Nantes is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Paris and Nantes.

For foodies, Paris is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

Nantes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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 Paris or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Paris 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 Paris is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

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 Paris or Nantes Better for Music?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Nantes is not a live music destination.

Paris has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is Paris or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

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

Nantes is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Paris does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paris or Nantes?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Paris specifically to go shopping. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

Nantes is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Paris or Nantes Better for Christmas?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Nantes does not offer Christmas activities.

Paris offers plenty of sights and activities around Christmas. The city of lights really proves itself around the holiday season. In addition to checking out the Christmas lights, it's fun to go window shopping or check out one of the city's Christmas markets.

Nantes does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Paris or Nantes Better for Families?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Paris is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

Nantes is 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.

Is Paris or Nantes Better for Couples?

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

Paris has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

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 Paris or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paris is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Paris, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.

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 Paris or Nantes Better for Students?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Paris is a great destination for students. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad 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.

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

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

Visitors in Paris can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

Visitors to Nantes can move around easily with public transportation. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Paris or Nantes a more walkable city?

Paris and Nantes are very good when it comes to walkability.

Paris is very walkable. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Paris?

How long in Paris or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paris and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paris than in Nantes. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Paris, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

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

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

One day in Paris or Nantes?

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Nantes, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this welcoming destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Paris or Nantes?

Paris 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Paris or Nantes?

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

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Nantes. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Paris or Nantes?

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Nantes. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Nantes, we can see that Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Paris or Nantes?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Paris 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 Paris or Nantes?

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 Paris or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Nantes. Many travelers come to Paris for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

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

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

Should I visit Paris or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Paris as well as Nantes. Many visitors come to Paris in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

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

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

Should I visit Paris or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Paris for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Paris can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Paris is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paris in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

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

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

Should I visit Paris or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Paris during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Paris because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Nantes and Paris