One of France’s most unique cities, Nantes is situated in the north-western part of the country along the banks of the River Loire, having once served as one of the most important port cities in the region as well. A former shipbuilding and trade centre, and a regional platform for arts and culture in the contemporary era, Nantes diversity is evident in its exquisite range of amusements and attractions. The proximity of Nantes to the Atlantic lends it a substantially oceanic climate with mild weather conditions almost all year long, giving tourists the luxury to choose between a wide range of months for planning a trip. Read on to know more about some of the best times to visit Nantes.

Like most coastal cities in France, summers are the most enjoyable time to visit Nantes; except if you hate crowds. The city is packed with tourists during this season who visit to make the most out of this pleasantly warm and dry season and explore the many outdoor activities on offer here. The range of temperature varies between 15⁰C to 27⁰C, with July being the hottest month of the year. Since it is peak season, expect higher rates in hotels and other commercial establishments.

Travelling to Nantes during September can be a good option for tourists looking for the quintessential Nantais experience without the peak-season crowds and exorbitant rental rates. The temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy sightseeing and outdoor activities; as the season progresses the climate becomes cooler and temperatures dip to lower double-digit figures.

Winters in Nantes get quite chilly and receive the most amount of annual rainfall as well, which is one of the main things to keep in mind if planning a trip during this season. The temperatures range between 5⁰C-10⁰C and occasional frosts may also occur. Nantes’ annual classical music festival known as La Folle Journee is the largest festival of its kind in France and is held in winters as well, contributing largely to the influx of tourists during this month.

Springtime serves as mostly a shoulder season that happens to be a reasonably good time to plan a trip. Temperature generally remains cool throughout, gradually growing warmer as summers approach. The only catch with visiting Nantes during this season is the unpredictability of the weather; it can go from a warm sunny afternoon to sudden heavy rain and vice versa in a short period, which can prove to be quite unfortunate for outdoor plans.