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Add a hire car to your Nantes holiday and you can transform your city break into a full-blown road trip. Nantes is not only the gateway to the breathtaking Loire Valley, it’s also your starting point to experience the crème de la crème of western France.
Cruise through rolling vineyards, visit grand châteaux or zip over to the Atlantic Coast for seafood feasts in seaside towns like La Baule with the total freedom and convenience a hire car affords you.
Nantes city centre pick-up
Car hire companies in Nantes city centre are primarily located around Gare de Nantes, which is handy if you’re arriving by train.
Europcar (+33 240 471 938) and Hertz (+33 820 031 800) can both be found here. They’re also just a short walk from the historic downtown square, Place du Bouffay, and the stunning Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
Other city centre car rental options in Nantes include:
- Enterprise: +33 240 082 837
- Sixt: +33 170 976 111
- Rentscape: +33 228 496 156
Driving in Nantes
While driving around Nantes is fairly easy, navigating the city centre can be challenging, especially around Gare de Nantes. Historic areas like the Bouffay district have pedestrianised areas and Nantes also has a Zone à Trafic Limité (Limited Traffic Zone) in the centre, which restricts access to certain vehicles.
For street parking, Nantes uses colour-coded zones with different regulations and time limits. This information can be found on parking meters. You can use park-and-ride options further out, too.
Speed limits in France are in km/h and not mph. In urban areas, the speed limit is typically 50km/h (approximately 31 mph), while on motorways it's 130km/h (approximately 81 mph). This drops to 110km/h (approximately 68 mph) when it rains or snows.
The A83 and A11 motorways around Nantes are toll roads. You can pay by cash or card at the booths.
In France, drivers follow a ‘priority to the right’ rule, which means giving way to traffic coming from the right at intersections. And if you’re heading to the Loire Valley, expect to come across narrow rural roads.
Fast facts
- Min. age required to hire a car: Usually 21
- Which side of the road: Right
- Credit card requirements: Most companies require a credit card but some may accept a debit card
- Any additional requirements: Check that your hire car has a warning triangle and a reflective jacket before you set off
