Car Rental - Nantes Airport

Pick up a rental car at Nantes Airport, and you'll seamlessly enter the gateway to the Loire Valley. Located in western France, Nantes is a maritime delight. Life here revolves around the magical Château des Ducs de Bretagne. But Nantes’ charm doesn’t stop at the treasures of the medieval old town. It oozes out to Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes and through the vibrant markets.

Renting a car from Nantes Airport is a convenient way to get around the city and the surrounding area. Browse our available vehicles online. Discover the perfect car for your vacation to France.

When you rent a car from Nantes Airport with us, there are no hidden extras to pay. Our best price guarantee also means that if you find a lower Hertz price for car rental at Nantes Airport, we'll refund the difference.

Renting a car at Nantes Airport will help you get around the city and lush surrounding area. The airport is conveniently connected to the beltway that runs around Nantes. This makes it easy to get into the center of the city.

While in France you’ll drive your Nantes Airport rental car on the right-hand side of the road. Freeways are known here as autoroutes, which are largely tolled. The maximum speed on this type of road is 130 km/h (80 mph) but this can vary with the weather. In urban areas, they’re a maximum of 50 km/h (30 mph).

Parking In Nantes

Historical attractions including Château des ducs de Bretagne, are within a pedestrianized part of Nantes. So, it’s easiest to park your NTE rental car and explore on foot. Find a nearby parking lot, such as Parking Feydeau, and start your sightseeing tour.

Key Roads In Nantes

Once you've collected your rental car from Nantes Airport, take the D723. You should reach the heart of the city in around 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The enchanting Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes is accessible via the D723 and Boulevard de l’Estuaire.

How to get from Nantes to Briere National Park and Pornic

Do you want to experience Briere National Park? It’s an hour’s drive via the N165 and N171 after collecting your rental car from Nantes Airport. The views along the way are nothing short of spectacular.

The Atlantic coast has plenty of unspoiled spots to discover. Pornic, a charming seaside resort, is one of the best. To reach it, take the D751 and you’ll be there in 45 minutes.

How to get from Nantes to Saumur

The UNESCO-listed Loire Valley is an area of great beauty. A drive through here in your NTE rental car grants you views of idyllic villages, lush vineyards, and grand châteaux. Check all the boxes with a trip to Saumur, a 90-minute journey via the A11. Overlooked by a fairytale castle, this historic city is like something straight out of a picture book.

Renowned for its lively, creative art and culture scene, Nantes is a scenic delight. The magnificent River Loire runs through the center. Once you have picked up your rental car from Nantes Airport, you can unearth the city's treasures. Then, venture out to discover the extraordinary beauty of the Loire Valley.

Nantes heritage trail

Start your trip with a bang at Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes. It honors the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Jules Verne, the Nantes-born sci-fi novelist. This fantasy land is a mind-boggling mélange of otherworldly machines.

Step into the quirky park, and you’ll see a gigantic elephant squirting water at passersby. You can ride in its belly or hop aboard the Carrousel des Mondes Marins.

You can discover more about the town’s most famous son at Musée Jules Verne. The collection of documents and illustrations tells the story of the author’s life.

Embark on more time travels at Château des Ducs de Bretagne. Presiding over Nantes since the 15th century, this castle was built by the Dukes of Brittany.

The exhibits inside the onsite Musée d’Histoire de Nantes provide an insight into the château’s long history. But it’s the sweeping city views from the enchanting ramparts that provide the real wow factor.

Botanical gardens and parks

Enjoy fresh air in the Jardin des Plantes, Nantes’ huge botanical garden. Created in the 19th century, the green expanse is home to a vast array of exotic flora from French colonies.

Wander among pretty magnolia trees and manicured flower beds in the direction of the tropical hothouses. Admire vivid orchids and breathe the sweet scent of the citrus trees.

Visit île de Versailles to discover another popular green space, Jardin Japonais. This slice of paradise features tranquil ponds and peaceful gardens. Jardin Japonais is just outside the city center. The ideal opportunity to use your Nantes holiday rental car.

Here you can discover rock gardens and oriental plants in Japanese-inspired surroundings. It's particularly beautiful in spring when the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom.

Day trips from Nantes

Renting a car from Nantes Airport is a great way to explore the wider Pays de la Loire region. The historic village of Clisson is a top beauty spot, with roots dating back to the medieval age.

Explore the ruins of 12th-century Château de Clisson, an important stronghold during the Vendéen War. Take snaps from the Pont du Ville before exploring the intriguing castle remains.

Swap real castles for sandcastles with a trip to the seaside town of Pornic. Set up camp for the day on one of the sandy beaches peppered along the coast, Plage de l’Étang. Spend an afternoon swimming in the Atlantic and lazing on the shore. After a day of basking in the sun, head to the town’s harbor and dine on fresh seafood by the waterfront – bliss.

Renting a car from Nantes Airport not only allows you to explore this city. But you'll also experience the coast and wider region at your own pace. Make the most of your time in this stunning part of France.