Car Rental in Nantes
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Nantes Train Station
Compact Commercial Van/Truck
Renault Kangoo
or similar
$23.73
per day
Nantes Train Station
Economy
Renault Twingo
or similar
$27.36
per day
Nantes Airport
Mini
Renault Twingo
or similar
$34.67
per day
Nantes Train Station
Special SUV
Ford Kuga
or similar
$40.95
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Nantes Saint-Herblain
Intermediate
Peugeot 408
or similar
$46.81
per day
Nantes Saint-Herblain
Standard SUV
Nissan X-Trail
or similar
$59.19
per day
Nantes Airport
Full-size
BMW 3 Series
or similar
$69.07
per day
Nantes Airport
Compact Elite
Mercedes Benz A Class
or similar
$84.50
per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 9:08 AM on 12/14/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information
Languages
French
Currency
EUR
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+33
Average car rental price
$48 per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
50 km/h or 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
80 - 130 km/h or 50 - 81 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Average gas price
$1.85 per liter or $6.99 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.78 per liter or $6.76 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.98 per liter or $7.51 per gallon
Why rent a car in Nantes?
Nantes is a great place to rent a car. Its historic center has many impressive buildings from different historical periods while just outside the city borders there are nice green areas for relaxation. Near both the Gulf of Morbihan and large cities like Paris and Bordeaux, Nantes can also serve as a great base from which to explore the rest of France.
One-Way Car Rentals in Nantes
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Nantes and drop off in another city include:
- From Nantes to Rennes - 127 offers from $40.63 per day
- From Nantes to Paris - 128 offers from $41.61 per day
- From Nantes to Bordeaux - 79 offers from $43.90 per day
- From Nantes to Toulouse - 56 offers from $43.90 per day
Top ways to enter Nantes
- Nantes Atlantique Airport: Handling more than 6 million travelers every year, Nantes Airport is served by more than 25 different airlines, including some low-cost carriers. Located in the nearby town of Bouguenais, the airport is just 8km (5 miles) southwest of the city center.
- Rennes-Saint-Jacques Airport: Small and cozy, Rennes Airport offers a number of domestic flights, as well as air connections to the Netherlands, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, and other countries. Also known as Rennes Bretagne Airport, it is about 104km (64 miles) north of Nantes.
- La Rochelle Airport: Located in the nearby Charente-Maritime Region, La Rochelle Airport serves only 240,000 travelers per year, but the airport is quite active during the summer months when it hosts the international flights of six different airlines. About 137km (85 miles) south of Nantes, the airport can be reached in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: Serving the French capital, CDG is the second-busiest airport in Europe and in the top 10 in the world. The airport offers flights to and from countless destinations in all parts of the world. About 410km (255 miles) northeast of Nantes, the distance between the two can be covered in four to five hours.
- By rail: If you’re arriving in Nantes by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Nantes Railway Station.
City facts
- Located near the Gulf of Morbihan (which is South of Brittany), Nantes has a Western European oceanic climate with moderate to warm summers and mild winters. The average temperature is 19.6°C (67.3°F) in June and July, the warmest months, and 6.1°C (43°F) in January, the coldest month. Precipitation is at highest from October to January.
- Nantes has more than 100 public parks, gardens, and other green areas. The oldest and the most famous of them is the Jardin des Plantes, a botanical garden that is home to both native and exotic, tropical species. The combination of relatively warm weather and high precipitation means Nantes is a great place for rich and varied plant life. Nantes City Council has also created three special eco-districts that aim to provide affordable, ecological housing.
Top sights and activities
- Les Machines de l’Île. This project has become the number one attraction in Nantes. While rehabilitating the former docks of the port of Nantes, Les Machines de l’Île pay tribute to Jules Verne’s “Invented Worlds.” Enter the Galerie, the living space showcasing a veritable bestiary of machines, embark on the Grand Elephant’s back for a unique journey or plunge into the imaginary universe of an incredible mechanical aquarium, the Carrousel des mondes marins.
- Place du Bouffay. A large square in the central part of the city, Place du Bouffay (and the neighborhood around it) is home to some of the most famous attractions in Nantes, such as the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the building of the former Palais de la Bourse, and the medieval Nantes Vieux quartier.
- Nantes Cathedral. Also known as the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes, it is arguably the most famous building in the city (along with the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, which is close by). With foundations laid in the 15th century, it took more than 400 years to finish it. The epic result is a mixture of Romanesque and Late Gothic styles that was worth the long wait.
- The Jules Verne Museum. Dedicated to the famous French fantasy and science fiction author who was born in Nantes, this museum has been recently renovated. Here you’ll find many objects, artifacts, and other memorabilia relating to Verne’s fantastical books such as The Mysterious Island, Around the World in Eighty Days, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. On top of that, the museum’s building also provides an impressive view of the nearby Nantes Port.
- Botanical Garden of Nantes. Nantes is surrounded by a lot of beautiful nature and bucolic countryside, but it is also possible to enjoy some greenery without leaving the city boundaries. One of the best places for that is Jardin des Plantes, the lovely and centrally located botanical garden that provides home to over 10,000 species of flora and is especially well known for its Palm House where exotic plants such as African and Asian orchids can be found.
Traffic and parking
- The speed limit in cities is 50km/h, although a major part of Nantes is limited at 30km/h. Unlike for inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by weather.
- Outside cities and as of May 2019, the speed limit depends on the type of the road. Highways are limited to 130km/h, 4-lane expressways to 110 km/h, and 2 or 3-lane roads to 90km/h. When it is raining, the limits are respectively lowered to 110km/h, 100km/h, and 80km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50km/h during periods of heavy fog or other times of impaired visibility.
- Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- When you are driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
- As of 2015, mobile phone use while driving is strictly regulated. Holding a mobile phone in hand while driving is prohibited, as well as wearing any device in one’s ear (except a medical device). Fines are hefty. If you are involved in a car accident without respecting the above restrictions, you may face the suspension of your driver's license.
- The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
- The emergency number is 112.
Toll roads
Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with a letter A and you can recognize them by their blue sign. The fee for using a toll road depends on the specific route, distance traveled, as well as the type of vehicle - trailer cars and caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by credit card or in cash. You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.
Some rental cars are equipped with toll road transponders that can be used at the automatic toll road payment booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car provider to find out if they offer cars with toll road transponders.
See the official French toll road website for more information. Use the website's toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.
Ideas for day trips
- Guérande. Known as Gwenrann in the Breton language in which it means the “White land,” Guérande is a medieval town that is still populated but has been kept in its original state. A fortified settlement once frequented by dukes of Brittany, walking past its wooden and stone buildings feels like a journey back in time. On the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Guérande is 79km (49 miles) west of Nantes and can be reached in a little more than one hour.
- Marais Poitevin. Often called the Green Venice, Marais Poitevin is a large wetland area near the seashore about 135km (84 miles) south of Nantes. A regional natural park made up of countless streams and canals, it has some human settlements like small villages and standalone houses, but is also rich with plant, animal, bird, and fish life. A lot of the territory is only navigable by boat.
- Rennes. Capital of the Brittany region, Rennes might not have a lot of famous landmarks, but there are many delights to be found. Places like the Rue du Chapitre, the medieval Portes Mordelaises, and Le marché des Lices where you can buy local delicacies like seafood and shellfish, charcuterie, cheese and butter, ciders, and of course galettes-saucisses, create a special atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else in France. About 115km (71 miles) north of Nantes, Rennes can be reached in less than two hours.
- Angers. The city of Angers is famous for its castle — known for its characteristic towers (of which there are 17), it is perhaps the most impressive medieval building in this part of the country. The castle is also where the Apocalypse Tapestry is located. Other reasons to visit Angers include a number of art museums and a rich historical atmosphere. The drive from Nantes takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Saint-Nazaire. The small coastal town of Saint-Nazaire is known for its transportation connections – not only does it boast a sizable port, but it is a home to a submarine base, as well as an Airbus plant, the latter of which can be visited on a tour. Visitors with a rental car could also do worse than drive over the Mindin Bridge, one of the most beautiful in this part of the country, as well as explore the Atlantic beaches to the southwest of the town. The drive from Nantes to Saint-Nazaire takes about an hour.
Most popular cars
The most popular rental car in Nantes is the Renault Twingo. Many travelers also go with the Opel Corsa and the Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are mini, economy, and compact.
Further destinations
- Mont Saint-Michel. An island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most interesting attractions in the Lower Normandy region. Known for its spectacular abbey, the island is only accessible on foot, though there is a parking lot for those arriving with a vehicle. The only safe way to reach Mont Saint-Michel is over the designated bridge that connects it to the mainland — even when the tide is low, it is very easy to get stuck in the quicksand if you try to just drive over land. The drive from Nantes to Mont Saint-Michel takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Brittany. Famous for its long rugged beaches, megalithic prehistoric sites, and Celtic heritage, the peninsula of Brittany is one of the unique regions of France in terms of landscape and culture. With plenty of fishing villages, inland hiking paths, and protected natural areas, Brittany is best enjoyed at a slow pace. Brest, the westernmost city of France at the edge of Brittany, is a bit more than a three-hour drive from Nantes.
- Paris. It would be impossible to list even one-tenth of the world-famous landmarks that the French capital has to offer. Coming here is an experience of a lifetime that won’t be lessened by the large crowds of other travelers. About 385km (239 miles) northeast of Nantes, it can be reached by car in four hours.
- French Basque Country. The southwestern part of France is famous for its picturesque coastal towns, unique Basque culture, and, above all, the amazing water sports opportunities it offers. Biarritz, one of the European capitals of surfing, is about a five-hour drive south of Nantes.
Car rental prices in Nantes
- Convertibles - from $87 per day
- Station wagons - from $42 per day
- Large cars - from $42 per day
- Medium cars - from $24 per day
- Vans - from $67 per day
- Premium cars - from $61 per day
- Small cars - from $27 per day
- SUVs - from $40 per day
Money-saving and other tips
Try these tricks to land a cheap rental car in Nantes:
- Compare the rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Nantes is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 32% cheaper than the yearly average and about 48% cheaper than renting a car in July.
Fact checked by
Emilie and Florianne
This article was reviewed and updated by Emilie and Florianne from Parents-voyageurs (parents and travelers), a French website created in 2015 by Emilie and Florianne to facilitate and encourage traveling with children. Emilie has been living in Madrid with her family for more than five years. And Florianne, after living in Belgium for nine years, has now settled close to Nantes, in France. Together, they intend to inspire every kind of family travel by sharing their travel experiences with their children. Go and see, they have many kid-friendly destinations for you to discover, as well as practical advice and tips for traveling with your kids. Their philosophy is that there is no short trip, each moment outside of your house is already a journey!
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Top 20 locations near Nantes
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Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Nantes?
Car rental prices in Nantes vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Nantes
The cheapest month to rent a car in Nantes is January (when prices average $37.01 per day). This is 17% cheaper than the yearly average and 37% cheaper than renting in July (when prices average $58.73).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What’s the usual rental length in Nantes?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in June, the average renter keeps their car for 7 days, and in February, they keep their car for 4 days.
Average number of rental days in Nantes
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Nantes?
Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Nantes is August, and the least popular is March.
Monthly searches in Nantes by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Car rental locations | 7 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | RentScape, Europcar, Alamo, Budget, Sicily By Car |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Large cars |
| Lowest price | $24 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Enterprise |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RentScape | Peugeot 208 | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| RentScape | Peugeot 2008 | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| RentScape | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Peugeot 208 | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Volkswagen Golf | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| RentScape | Peugeot 3008 | 5 | 3 | Large cars |
| Alamo | Renault Twingo | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Renault Clio | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Sicily By Car | Opel Corsa | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
Our customers' reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.
KD
United Kingdom
Peugeot 208
12/17/23
Cold wet and miserable.
CT
Ireland
Volkswagen T-Cross
9/19/23
Visits to 3 chateaux , and vineyards in Loire valley . Super trip and so much easier with our own transport
AA
Ireland
Fiat 500
8/12/22
You definitely require a car to get out and explore surrounding areas on Nantes, the Hertz staff at train station are class
JH
Ireland
Renault Twingo
9/16/18
Did not encounter any problems, stress free thanks to a very friendly team.
Car Rental Statistics
Highest-rated company
Europcar
8.9 / 10
Lowest-rated company
RentScape
7.2 / 10
Total number of reviews
13
Total rental companies
14
Average daily price
$48.29
Lowest daily price
$23.73
Total cars available
758
Top 14 suppliers in Nantes in 2024
Europcar
6 locations
$43 - $162
SIXT
3 locations
$44 - $288
Thrifty
2 locations
$37 - $84
Alamo
2 locations
$35 - $113
Avis
4 locations
$54 - $163
Enterprise
2 locations
$24 - $118
Budget
3 locations
$52 - $163
Flizzr
3 locations
$39 - $93
Hertz
2 locations
$42 - $98
Dollar
2 locations
$35 - $57
Sicily By Car
3 locations
$27 - $105
Keddy
2 locations
$27 - $105
National
2 locations
$41 - $113
RentScape
2 locations
$51 - $149
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
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Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
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SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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