What to do in Nantes with children?
Planning a trip to Nantes and looking for ways to keep your children entertained?
The Nantes metropolitan area offers a wealth of experiences to share as a family, from the Machines of the Isle to a submarine tour and museum visits.
Discover some activities to try as a family!
A visit to Nantes with children wouldn't be complete without experiencing the famous Machines of the Isle, located on the site of the former shipyards.
A true emblem of the city, the Great Elephant impresses with its spectacular dimensions.
This 12-meter-high mechanical creature takes you on an unusual ride on the Isle of Nantes.
A unique attraction, inspired by the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, that's sure to please the whole family.
Don't forget to visit the Machines Gallery and the Marine Worlds Carousel afterwards.
📍Address: Les Machines de l’Île, Boulevard Léon-Bureau, Nantes
🕐Opening Hours: Open every day except Monday (hours vary). Please note: Closed from November 2, 2026 to March 1, 2027.
💶Admission: €12 per adult, €8 per child aged 4 to 17, free for children under 4.
Moored on the banks of the Loire, the Maillé-Brézé is a former French Navy escort vessel transformed into a museum.
Families can explore the passageways, enter the command rooms, and visit the ship's technical areas.
A captivating outing to understand the daily life of sailors and French naval history.
📍Address: Maillé-Brézé Naval Museum, Quai de la Fosse, 44200 Nantes
🕐Opening Hours: Open daily for guided tours from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM (times may vary).
💶Prices: €14 per adult, €10 for children under 12, €12 for young people aged 12 to 17.
Less than an hour from Nantes, the Espadon submarine is another popular excursion for children.
The first French submarine to have sailed under the ice floes, it offers an immersive and educational experience, revealing the living conditions on board.
It is the only submarine afloat that can be visited in France.
📍Address: Espadon Submarine, Avenue de la Forme-Écluse, 44600 Saint-Nazaire
🕐Opening Hours: Reservations required at +33 (0)2 28 540 640.
💶Prices: €13 per adult, €6.50 for children aged 4 to 17.
For a fun and educational activity, the Nantes Planetarium offers shows adapted to all ages.
The projections allow you to travel through the solar system, observe the constellations, and better understand astronomical phenomena.
This fascinating experience is sure to spark the curiosity of younger audiences.
📍Address: Planetarium, 8 rue des Acadiens, 44200 Nantes
🕐Opening Hours: Open Monday to Sunday (hours vary).
💶Prices: Online booking.
To fully enjoy the many family activities, unpack your bags at a 3-star hotel in Saint-Herblain, easily accessible from the Nantes ring road.
The Sure Hotel by Best Western Nantes Saint-Herblain is located approximately 20 minutes by car from the Machines de l’Île and close to Nantes' main tourist attractions.
The hotel offers spacious family rooms that can accommodate up to four people.
Every morning, a full breakfast provides the perfect energy boost before setting off to explore Nantes and its surroundings.
A large, secure private parking lot is also available free of charge.
The Nantes metropolitan area offers a wealth of experiences to share as a family, from the Machines of the Isle to a submarine tour and museum visits.
Discover some activities to try as a family!
Climb aboard the Great Elephant of the Machines of the Isle
A visit to Nantes with children wouldn't be complete without experiencing the famous Machines of the Isle, located on the site of the former shipyards.
A true emblem of the city, the Great Elephant impresses with its spectacular dimensions.
This 12-meter-high mechanical creature takes you on an unusual ride on the Isle of Nantes.
A unique attraction, inspired by the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci, that's sure to please the whole family.
Don't forget to visit the Machines Gallery and the Marine Worlds Carousel afterwards.
Practical Information
📍Address: Les Machines de l’Île, Boulevard Léon-Bureau, Nantes
🕐Opening Hours: Open every day except Monday (hours vary). Please note: Closed from November 2, 2026 to March 1, 2027.
💶Admission: €12 per adult, €8 per child aged 4 to 17, free for children under 4.
Discover the Maillé-Brézé Naval Museum
Moored on the banks of the Loire, the Maillé-Brézé is a former French Navy escort vessel transformed into a museum.
Families can explore the passageways, enter the command rooms, and visit the ship's technical areas.
A captivating outing to understand the daily life of sailors and French naval history.
Practical Information
📍Address: Maillé-Brézé Naval Museum, Quai de la Fosse, 44200 Nantes
🕐Opening Hours: Open daily for guided tours from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM (times may vary).
💶Prices: €14 per adult, €10 for children under 12, €12 for young people aged 12 to 17.
Visit the Espadon Submarine in Saint-Nazaire
Less than an hour from Nantes, the Espadon submarine is another popular excursion for children.
The first French submarine to have sailed under the ice floes, it offers an immersive and educational experience, revealing the living conditions on board.
It is the only submarine afloat that can be visited in France.
Practical Information
📍Address: Espadon Submarine, Avenue de la Forme-Écluse, 44600 Saint-Nazaire
🕐Opening Hours: Reservations required at +33 (0)2 28 540 640.
💶Prices: €13 per adult, €6.50 for children aged 4 to 17.
Look to the Stars at the Nantes Planetarium
For a fun and educational activity, the Nantes Planetarium offers shows adapted to all ages.
The projections allow you to travel through the solar system, observe the constellations, and better understand astronomical phenomena.
This fascinating experience is sure to spark the curiosity of younger audiences.
Practical Information
📍Address: Planetarium, 8 rue des Acadiens, 44200 Nantes
🕐Opening Hours: Open Monday to Sunday (hours vary).
💶Prices: Online booking.
Family Stay in a Comfortable Hotel near Nantes
To fully enjoy the many family activities, unpack your bags at a 3-star hotel in Saint-Herblain, easily accessible from the Nantes ring road.
The Sure Hotel by Best Western Nantes Saint-Herblain is located approximately 20 minutes by car from the Machines de l’Île and close to Nantes' main tourist attractions.
The hotel offers spacious family rooms that can accommodate up to four people.
Every morning, a full breakfast provides the perfect energy boost before setting off to explore Nantes and its surroundings.
A large, secure private parking lot is also available free of charge.
