CityPass, 24 Hours To 7 Days

The Nantes CityPass covers museums, cruises, tours and the tram network in one purchase, for 24 hours up to seven days. Rated 4.3 across 375 reviews, with the from-price set by the 24-hour option.

Overview

The Nantes CityPass is a single card that covers admission to more than 50 attractions, museums and monuments across the city and its surroundings, plus unlimited public transport on buses, trams and shuttle boats, including the airport shuttle. It comes in versions valid for 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours or 7 consecutive days, and the clock starts only when it is first used at a partner location, not when you buy it.

What that means in practice is a fairly packed menu of options. The pass opens the door to the Château des ducs de Bretagne history museum, Les Machines de l'île with the Carrousel des Mondes Marins and its gallery, the Art Museum, the Jules Verne Museum, the Musée Dobrée and the Planétarium, among others. River cruises on the Erdre and the Loire, guided tours and audio-guided routes in English, French and Spanish are also included. From April to October the list grows further, adding the tourist train, bike rental, kayak and boat rentals, and sites as far afield as the Espadon submarine and Saint-Nazaire Heritage Museum. Outside that season, the pass instead covers free drinks at a handful of spots including Little Atlantique Brewery and La Cigale Brasserie.

This suits independent travellers who like building their own itinerary and want transport bundled in. Reviewers who bought the 48-hour and 72-hour versions described it as good value, and one recommended it specifically for a weekend trip. It is aimed at individuals rather than groups, with reduced rates for children and students.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Collect or activate the passAfter booking, contact the Le Voyage à Nantes customer relations centre to receive the city card as an e-ticket, following the instructions on the booking confirmation.
2. Activate at first useThe pass switches on the first time it is used at a partner location, then runs for the duration purchased.
3. Museums and monumentsUse it for entry to sites such as the Château des ducs de Bretagne history museum, Les Machines de l'île, the Art Museum, the Musée Dobrée and the Jules Verne Museum.
4. Cruises and guided toursErdre and Loire river cruises, guided tours and audio-guided routes are covered, though some of these require booking ahead with the activity provider.
5. Seasonal extras, April to OctoberThe tourist train, Détours de Loire bike rental, kayak and boat rentals, a free drink at La Cantine du Voyage, and more distant sites such as the Espadon submarine fall under the pass in this window.
6. Seasonal extras, October to MarchOutside the warm months the pass instead includes a free drink at places like Little Atlantique Brewery, La Cigale Brasserie and Café du Musée d'Arts.
7. Getting aroundUnlimited bus, tram and shuttle boat transport, plus the airport shuttle, is included. The e-pass must be linked to the Pass Nantes mobile app to use the airport shuttle.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of the pass before you arrive.

• Link the app early. The e-pass has to be connected to the Pass Nantes mobile application before you can use the airport shuttle. Do this before travel so the first day is not spent troubleshooting.
• Book the popular extras. River cruises and guided tours are included but subject to availability, and some require contacting the provider in advance. One traveller called the boat ride on the Erdre magnificent, so it is worth reserving early.
• Use the transport fully. One reviewer found the buses and trams really easy. Another described experiencing the city by walking, tram, bus, boat and ferry on a single pass, so plan routes that mix them rather than staying on foot.
• Pick the right length. Travellers who chose the 48-hour and 72-hour versions both felt they got their money's worth. The pass is valid for 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours or 7 consecutive days, so pick the length that matches the time available.
• Check seasonal coverage. What the pass includes changes with the calendar. Bike and kayak rentals and the tourist train run April to October, while the free-drink partners apply October to March, so match expectations to the time of year.
• Plan around weekends. Public transport and park-and-ride are free for everyone on Saturdays and Sundays, which changes the maths for a weekend visit. One traveller noted part of their trip fell on a weekend and still found the pass worthwhile.

Common issues. The pass is built for individual visitors and is not adapted to groups. Some travellers reported that clearer, more current information in the app on opening days and exactly what the pass covers would help, so it pays to confirm opening times before setting out. Access to sites and activities depends on availability, and cruises or guided tours may need advance booking with the provider. There is no public transport on 1st May, which limits the transport benefit on that date.

Common Questions