Top 5 Nantes Hotels for Wine Tasting in Pays Nantais

If you’re visiting wineries in the western Loire Valley, you’ll need a place to stay. Nantes is a great base for your wine adventure in the region. These top 5 Nantes hotels are the best options, whether you’re looking for a traditional French experience or something a little more modern. And don’t forget the food—Nantes has some of the best restaurants in France!

Of the best hotels in Nantes, France, our top pick is Sozo Hotel. It’s inside an old chapel, but with modern amenities and excellent hospitality. Plus, it’s in a walkable location across from a beautiful park.

If you prefer a countryside or chateau setting, there are some great options included in the list below.

Nantes, France

Nantes is a city on the Loire River, in western France. It’s known for its grand château restored as a residence for the Dukes of Brittany in the 15th century. The area around Nantes is renowned for its vineyards and wineries, where visitors can tour cellars or simply sample some of the local vintages.

To continue your food and wine education, Nantes has some great restaurants (some with Michelin stars) and wine bars as well. If you love to immerse yourself in the local food and wine culture, Nantes is a great destination.

Top 5 Hotels in Nantes

The first three hotels are the best hotels in Nantes city centre. If, after a day of exploring the vineyards, you want to return to the city and be able to walk to restaurants and bars from your hotel, these are your best options. Beyond the city, there are a couple of amazing luxury hotels in restored historic buildings. If you would prefer more of a getaway in the country, those are listed below as well.

sozo nantes hotel room in a renovated chapel with stained glass windows
Sozo Hotel room

Sozo Hotel

The Sozo Hotel lobby can be found inside a renovated 19th century chapel across the street from Jardin des Plantes, the city’s beautiful botanical garden. Mixing modern details in an old chapel with stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings creates a unique space. The rooms at this Nantes hotel are minimal with clean white details to emphasize the original stone walls of the church.

Each room is unique, and the location is perfect – just a short walk to city center (10 min). Take adavantage of the spa while you’re there, with facilities including a steam room, sauna, a sensory shower and an ice room. Guests love the quiet rooms, excellent service, and the walk through the park across the street.

sozohotel.fr

budget nantes hotel with great design hanging lamps, white bed and velvet headboard
L’Hotel room

L’Hotel

L’Hotel is a boutique hotel in Nantes with 33 very stylish rooms, some with an outdoor terrace. The location is great for anyone who wants to explore Nantes. It’s close to the train station, city centre and Congress center. L’Hotel provides a view of the castle of the Dukes of Brittany or its picturesque gardens, offering tranquility in the city. If you’re on a budget and prefer a boutique hotel environment, L’Hotel is a great option.

nanteshotel.com

Another budget hotel we considered for central Nantes was was OKKO Hotels Nantes Chateau (due to lots of glowing reviews) but despite some really great qualities, the design of the bathrooms is unfortunate.

nantes france hotel room with white bed and two blue lounge chairs
Oceania Hotel

Oceania Hotel

Oceania Hotel is right in the middle of central Nantes – a great location for walking to dinner. Formerly a private home built in the 18th century, the hotel was renovated with modern rooms and quirky common space details. All rooms have walk-in showers except for the Prestige room style that have big soaking tubs in addition to a walk-in shower. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast and fitness centre as well. Guests love the central location, clean rooms, and comfortable beds.

oceaniahotels.com/en/hotel/oceania-hotel-de-france-nantes

If you would prefer to be immersed in the peacefulness of the French countryside, the below Nantes hotels are great options. They aren’t too far from central Nantes, so you’ll still be able to drive in for sightseeing or a meal.

luxury Nantes hotel with pool in a restored abbey
L’Abbaye de Villeneuve grounds

L’Abbaye de Villeneuve

Only a 15 minute drive south of Nantes, L’Abbaye de Villeneuve is a luxury hotel in a magnificent building once used by Cistercian monks in the 13th century. The hotel only has 18 rooms, an outdoor pool, and a shuttle bus to Nantes city center. The rooms and suites are tastefully decorated, and some have fireplaces and clawfoot tubs. With a focus on quality food and beverage, L’Abbaye’s two restaurants (a brasserie and a gourmet restaruant) are excellent. Continue your education on regional wine in Le Caveau, or slip into the secret cigar club after a cocktail at the bar.

abbayedevilleneuve.com

five star hotel near nantesin a restored white chateau with maximalist design
Chateau de Maubreuil

Chateau de Maubreuil

Located in Carquefou, Chateau de Maubreuil is a very nice home base for a weekend of wine tasting. Owned by an art lover, the five star hotel’s rooms are individually themed and eccentrically decorated. Take your beverage know-how to the next level with one of the onsite workshops, including oenology and mixology. The hotel boasts a gourmet restaurant, La Table du Marquis, and a very nice spa, and an outdoor pool. With less than a 20 minute drive to Nantes, you can stay at a beautiful chateau, visit wine country, and explore the city.

chateaudemaubreuil.com

Wine Tasting in Pays Nantais, Western Loire Valley

Pays Nantais is the westernmost wine growing area of the Loire Valley. The most common grape grown there is Melon de Bourgogne, used to produce Muscadet wine. Muscadet is a dry white wine that happens to pair well with the local seafood. There are four major Muscadet appellations and several unique Muscadet Crus.

Aside from Muscadet wine, the region produces wine from Folle Blanche, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Grolleau Gris, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. The western part of the valley is much cooler and wetter than the rest of the Loire wine region, since it’s so close to the Atlantic coast. There are several microclimates, and the soil composition is especially unique, with hardened lava rock in the mix.

By staying in Nantes you can also taste regional wine at any of the city’s great wine bars. Some of them include Reboot, Le Jeraboam, and Bar303.

More Things to Do in Nantes

Even if you visit Nantes for wine tasting, there are so many other great things about the city. Here are just a few to explore while in town:

  • Crêpes in Bouffay neighborhood
  • Theatre in the Graslin neighborhood
  • Lieu Unique
  • Nantes Château des Ducs de Bretagne
  • Walk Jardin des Plantes
  • Museum of Fine Arts
  • Explore local markets
  • Nantes Cathedral (might be undergoing renovations due to a fire)

How to Get to Nantes, France

Here are a few of options for transportation to hotels in Nantes, France:

  1. Fly: Nantes Atlantique Airport is right outside Nantes city centre, so if flying is the most convenient option for those traveling from afar.
  2. Train: If you are coming from Paris or another area of Loire Valley, taking a train to Nantes is easy. Trains are also a relaxing way to travel through France. The Nantes train station is conveniently located in town, and a roughly 2.5 hour ride from Paris. You can always rent a car for a day or two to explore the vineyards.
  3. Drive: If the train is not convenient or you want your car with you, there are many hotels in Nantes that offer free parking.