📍 France

LOIRE-ATLANTIQUE: NANTES CREATIVITY AND ESTUARY WINE

The mechanical elephant roams the docks, salt marshes shimmer in the sun, Muscadet ripens on the hillsides. Loire-Atlantique, creative and gourmet.

≈ 17
Days
478
Km
16
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Set out to explore urban creativity and estuary wine landscapes. Discover Nantes and its cultural renewal. Tour Clisson vineyards in the valley's heart. Enjoy Pornic coastline and its harbor. Relax on La Baule beaches. Explore Guérande and the salt marshes. Follow the Loire to the ocean.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Nantes

creative cultural city renaissance

Nantes - Photo 1Nantes - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.
2
Machines of the Isle (elephant).
3
Passage Pommeraye.
4
Italianate old town.
🎯

Activities

→
Île de Nantes.
→
Journey to Nantes (urban art trail).
→
Banks of Erdre.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 32.8 km
Travel time: 1h06
2
Day

Clisson

vineyard romantic valley town

Clisson - Photo 1Clisson - Photo 2Clisson - Photo 3Clisson - Photo 4Clisson - Photo 5Clisson - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Museum of Nantes Vineyards.
2
Church (Abelard).
3
Castle (Bluebeard).
4
Beach (8 km).
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Nantes vineyards (Muscadet).
→
Sèvre Nantaise.
→
Hellfest (metal festival).
+3 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 80.9 km
Travel time: 1h21
3
Day

Pornic

seaside resort coastal charm

Pornic - Photo 1Pornic - Photo 2Pornic - Photo 3Pornic - Photo 4Pornic - Photo 5Pornic - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Mont-Esprit (panorama).
2
Oceanarium.
3
Shipyards.
4
Espadon submarine.
🎯

Activities

→
Visit of the salt works.
→
Guérande salt.
→
Shore fishing.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 37.7 km
Travel time: 1h15
4
Day

La Baule

golden beach resort tradition

La Baule - Photo 1La Baule - Photo 2La Baule - Photo 3La Baule - Photo 4La Baule - Photo 5La Baule - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Escal'Atlantic (ocean liner).
2
Historic port (triangular trade).
3
Shipowners' houses.
🎯

Activities

→
Submarine base (exhibitions).
→
Loire Estuary.
→
Estuaire artistic trail.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 6.9 km
Travel time: 14min
5
Day

Guerande

salt marsh medieval village

Guerande - Photo 1Guerande - Photo 2Guerande - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Sainte-Croix Cathedral.
2
Joan of Arc House.
3
Hôtel Groslot.
4
Notre-Dame Abbey Church.
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Place du Châtelet market.
→
Walk along the Loire.
→
Jacques-Cœur Route.
+4 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 22.5 km
Travel time: 45min
6
Day

Saint Nazaire

river port industrial memory

Saint Nazaire - Photo 1Saint Nazaire - Photo 2Saint Nazaire - Photo 3Saint Nazaire - Photo 4Saint Nazaire - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Castle (UNESCO).
2
Jacques-Cœur Route.
3
Saint-Ythier Church.
🎯

Activities

→
Loire.
→
Navigation on the lateral canal to the Loire.
→
Montargis pralines.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 18.2 km
Travel time: 36min
7
Day

Paimb Uf

river town estuary village

Paimb Uf - Photo 1Paimb Uf - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Castle-Museum of Hunting.
2
Earthenware factory (factory store).
3
Canal bridge (Eiffel).
🎯

Activities

→
Electric boats.
→
Ferrières Forest.
→
Monastic heritage.
8
Day

Orleans

river city regional gateway

Orleans - Photo 1Orleans - Photo 2Orleans - Photo 3Orleans - Photo 4Orleans - Photo 5Orleans - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Museum of Two Navies.
2
"Venice of Gâtinais".
3
Bridges and canals.
4
Girodet Museum.
🎯

Activities

→
Rhododendron Festival (May-June).
→
Banks of the Loire.
→
Place du Châtelet market.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 32.3 km
Travel time: 1h05
9
Day

Beaugency

river bridge medieval rampart

Beaugency - Photo 1Beaugency - Photo 2Beaugency - Photo 3Beaugency - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Church.
2
Loire Maritime Museum.
3
Rhododendrons.
4
Clock Tower.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Loire.
→
Saturday market.
→
Jacques-Cœur Route.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9.4 km
Travel time: 19min
10
Day

Meung Sur Loire

château river medieval stone

Meung Sur Loire - Photo 1Meung Sur Loire - Photo 2Meung Sur Loire - Photo 3Meung Sur Loire - Photo 4Meung Sur Loire - Photo 5Meung Sur Loire - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Castle (1000 years of history).
2
Saint-Liphard Collegiate Church.
3
Windmills.
🎯

Activities

→
Castle gardens.
→
Mauves (river).
→
Sunday market.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 66.2 km
Travel time: 1h06
11
Day

Sully Sur Loire

château river fortress tower

Sully Sur Loire - Photo 1Sully Sur Loire - Photo 2Sully Sur Loire - Photo 3Sully Sur Loire - Photo 4Sully Sur Loire - Photo 5Sully Sur Loire - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Castle (UNESCO).
2
Jacques-Cœur Route.
3
Park.
4
Saint-Ythier Church.
🎯

Activities

→
Classical music festival (June).
→
Banks of the Loire.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 27.3 km
Travel time: 55min
12
Day

Gien

pottery river medieval village

Gien - Photo 1Gien - Photo 2Gien - Photo 3Gien - Photo 4Gien - Photo 5Gien - Photo 6Gien - Photo 7Gien - Photo 8Gien - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Castle-Museum of Hunting.
2
Bridge.
3
Earthenware factory (factory store).
🎯

Activities

→
Loire.
→
Saturday market.
→
Earthenware route.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 13.4 km
Travel time: 27min
13
Day

Briare

canal bridge industrial heritage

Briare - Photo 1Briare - Photo 2Briare - Photo 3Briare - Photo 4Briare - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Canal bridge (Eiffel).
2
Museum of Two Navies.
3
Church.
🎯

Activities

→
Navigation on the lateral canal to the Loire.
→
Locks.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 52.4 km
Travel time: 52min
14
Day

Montargis

canal town water village

Montargis - Photo 1Montargis - Photo 2Montargis - Photo 3Montargis - Photo 4Montargis - Photo 5Montargis - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
"Venice of Gâtinais".
2
Bridges and canals.
3
Girodet Museum.
4
Castle (ruins).
🎯

Activities

→
Montargis pralines.
→
Saturday market.
→
Electric boats.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 13.7 km
Travel time: 27min
15
Day

Ferrieres En Gatinais

forest village historic gateway

Ferrieres En Gatinais - Photo 1Ferrieres En Gatinais - Photo 2Ferrieres En Gatinais - Photo 3Ferrieres En Gatinais - Photo 4Ferrieres En Gatinais - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Royal abbey.
2
Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Church.
🎯

Activities

→
Ferrières Forest.
→
Hiking.
→
Monastic heritage.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 63.9 km
Travel time: 1h04
16
Day

Chateauneuf Sur Loire

river château medieval tower

Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 1Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 2Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 3Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 4Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 5Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 6Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 7Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 8Chateauneuf Sur Loire - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Loire Maritime Museum.
2
Castle park.
3
Rhododendrons.
🎯

Activities

→
Rhododendron Festival (May-June).
→
Banks of the Loire.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 14 and 20 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.