A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Nantes for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Nantes. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Nantes

Nantes is a beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nantes than Saint-Etienne, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nantes is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking. Nantes is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known 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. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

Nantes is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is a good destination for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Nantes Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Nantes is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Nantes is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

Nantes is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Saint-Etienne or Nantes Better for Couples?

Nantes is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Nantes is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Nantes Better for Students?

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

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Saint-Etienne or Nantes 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, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Nantes can get you to some places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Nantes a more walkable city?

Nantes is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint-Etienne and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nantes than in Saint-Etienne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

Families should spend more time in Nantes than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nantes that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nantes than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Nantes. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

Saint-Etienne 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Nantes. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Nantes. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Nantes, 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Nantes. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Nantes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Nantes averages at about 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nantes during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Nantes. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Nantes. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nantes because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Nantes. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

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

Saint-Etienne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Nantes. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Nantes in the Winter?

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

The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. Saint-Etienne is much colder than Nantes in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

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

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Nantes. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Saint-Etienne during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Nantes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Nantes averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nantes. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Nantes. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Saint-Etienne