Canada isn’t a huge market for Nantes, but we are an important one.

Canada is the largest portion of the international long-haul market: 85% of visitors to the area are from Europe, but Canada leads the rest. Air Transat has a seasonal direct flight into Nantes and the region is easily accessible from Paris via train, from a variety of carriers including Air France.

“Canada is the largest portion of the international market,” explains Xavier Theret, Head of International Promotions and Relations, Le voyage a Nantes. “The Quebec market in particular is very important for us, of course. The Transat flight direct from Canada into Nantes has been working very, very well.”

Theret was joined by Michel Grimm, International Sales Director for Croisi Europe at a press conference Tuesday morning on board the ship’s Loire Princess that welcomed international media as part of Atout France's Rendez-vous en France happening in the city March 22 and 23rd.

“We have the largest fleet on French rivers and on the canals with river canal barges, and we even have a small sea ship with 130 passengers to cruise around Corsica,” explains Grimm. “So France is a big destination for us and we are always proud to be part their events to promote the destination.”

Nantes is a destination that could be regarded as relatively new, with the tourism board established in 2011. A former industrial town, the city is home to just over 665,000 and is seeing a transformation into a cosmopolitan area that features art and culture while maintaining its incredible history. It could almost be compared to a quainter version of Paris.

“If there is something that we were very proud of, it’s that we were up to the 1980s, a very industrial city with almost no tourism. And now the image of the city has changed so much,” says Theret. “In 2014, the Sunday Times wrote about us being the “loopiest city”. It meant we were a bit crazy - in a nice way, in a very creative way. And for us, that was the moment where we thought, finally we’ve made it; we managed to change this city’s image.”

Former Nantes’ Mayor Jean-Marc Ayrault, who later became Prime Minister for France, played a big role in the transformation. He worked very closely with a man named Jean Blaise to shape the city by focusing on art and culture to create experiences for both locals and tourist alike. There over 120 art installations throughout the city in public spaces that are of course, free to view. Visitors can also purchase a city pass for either 24, 48 or 72 hours or 7 days which gives access to 40 attractions that include all museums and their exhibitions, cruises, bus tours and public transportation. The city is very walkable, with a literal “green line” painted on the streets to guide visitors through the curvy streets and to attractions.

One of the more famous attractions in Nantes and available with the city pass is Les Machines d’Lile, which began in 2007 and features various “animals” brought to life via robotics. Most notable are the giant elephant which visitors can ride on and the Carrousel des Mondes Marins. On the island there is also the Harun Tree Project which is currently under construction with an expected completion date of 2027 and will feature a massive industrial, man-made “tree” that will house the “animals” currently in Les Machine d’Lile.

Le voyage a Nantes is also designing a route that will include a vineyard visit to give visitors another option to step outside the city and experience nature. Cycling the region is also becoming very popular and itineraries are being added that combine five existing routes for a total distance of about 500 kms.

“There is a trend, I think in all countries now, where it’s about people wanting to spend time in cities, but also are very much into spending their time in natural areas,” says Theret. “We are incorporating that into our itineraries. It’s hard to say because of the pandemic of course, but 2019 was the best year ever for us. Visitation was growing by almost double, the interest in Nantes is growing fast.

“Nantes is no longer just a city break destination, 48 hours to spend here was ok maybe five or six years ago, but not anymore. We are a destination in itself.”

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