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Good to know
- Nearest airport
- Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)
- To city centre
- 8 km
- Parking in the centre
- Paid zones
- Main roads
- N844, N165, A11, A83
- Region
- Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 327,734
- City IATA code
- NTE
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris
- Currency
- EUR
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Rental offices
- 27
- Rental companies
- 6
Compare car rental in Nantes
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Where to pick up a car in Nantes
Rental desks by area, with the distance from the city centre.
Train stations
Offices 10City centre
Offices 3Further from the centre
Offices 14Malakoff
La Haluchère
Preux
Solvardière
La Bugallière
Le Bois Raguenet
Bourg Centre
Ragon
Other areas
Nantes by car
Nantes stands where the Loire widens towards its estuary, close enough to the ocean for the weather to arrive from it. The place counts itself Breton by history even though the administrative map now files it elsewhere.
Driving in Nantes
Nantes is reached by N844, N165, A11 and A83. Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone. Driving through the centre is restricted, so most drivers park on the edge.
Arriving by road
North of Nantes towards Rennes the road is the RN137, a free highway, while the A83 takes over to the south, and together they form a ring road around the city, the second longest in France after the Bordeaux ring. Traffic from the Channel ports follows the A28 to join the A11 at Le Mans.
From the airport without a car
The Navette Aéroport shuttle bus leaves from outside Arrivals for the south entrance of the railway station, Lieu Unique and Place de Commerce. Bus 38 runs to Pirmil, where passengers change for Tram 3 into town, since the tram does not reach the airport. Bus 98 stops at the Lindbergh roundabout on its way to Neustrie, the Tram 3 terminus.
Popular searches in Nantes
One click to the results with the filter already set.
Day trips from Nantes
- Saint-Nazaire48 km
- Angers80 km
- Rennes100 km
Rules of the road in France
- Speed limits
- 50 / 80 / 130 km/h
- Alcohol limit
- 0.5 ‰
- Motorway tolls
- motorway tolls paid at the barrier
- Must carry
- a reflective vest and a warning triangle
What kind of car do you need?
Typical capacity for the category — the exact model is confirmed by the rental company at booking.
Frequently asked questions
France: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the right. Speed limits are posted at the roadside and differ between towns, open roads and motorways.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in EUR. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Often yes within the EU, but never assume it. Crossing a border has to be allowed by the rental company and usually costs extra, so check the terms before you book.
Where do I park in the centre of Nantes?
Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone.
What are the speed limits in France?
50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on open roads, 130 km/h on motorways.
Are the motorways tolled?
Motorways charge at the barrier. Payment is by cash, card or an electronic tag.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Nantes?
At Nantes: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, 2 other companies and 2 independent offices. At Chantenay: Europcar. In the city centre: Europcar, Rent A Car and an independent office. In Malakoff: CarGo. In La Haluchère: Europcar. In La Berthelotière: 2 independent offices. Elsewhere in the city: Avis, CarGo, Europcar, France Cars and 6 independent offices. More rental desks are at Nantes Atlantique Airport.