Nantes rewards families with hands-on science museums, leafy parks built for running around, and an easy day trip to see lions and giraffes just outside town. Many stops are indoors and weatherproof, which helps on the citys frequently grey days, and public transport makes reaching them simple even with a stroller in tow.
Planète Sauvage
About thirty minutes south of central Nantes, this drive-through and walk-through safari park is the citys classic full-day family excursion. Families can drive their own car slowly through enclosures where zebras, giraffes, and even lions roam close to the road, then park and walk through areas with monkeys, bears, and a large lake with dolphin presentations. Its designed with young children in mind, with a play area, a small train, and picnic spots scattered throughout the grounds. Plan on a full day, arriving early to catch animal feedings and avoid midday queues at the entrance gate. A car is the easiest way to get there, though the park does run limited shuttle options during peak season. Its more expensive than the citys indoor museums, but for kids who love animals its usually the highlight of the whole trip.
Planétarium de Nantes
On the Butte Sainte-Anne near the Jules Verne museum, this small planetarium runs family-friendly shows projected onto a domed ceiling that reliably draws gasps from young kids. Sessions cover the solar system, stars, and space exploration, with some screenings adapted specifically for younger audiences using simple narration and bright visuals rather than dense science. The theater only seats around sixty people, so it never feels overwhelming, and reclining seats let children lie back comfortably to watch the sky unfold above them. Shows run about forty-five minutes, a manageable stretch even for shorter attention spans, and staff are used to fielding kids questions afterward. Its a good option to slot in on a rainy afternoon or to break up a day of walking, and booking ahead is wise since popular weekend and school-holiday slots fill quickly.
Jardin du Grand Blottereau
This spacious park east of the city center around an eighteenth-century château is a favorite with local families for its free playgrounds, open lawns, and a small petting-zoo style farm with goats, sheep, and rabbits that kids can get close to. Greenhouses on site hold tropical and exotic plants, offering a warm, sheltered detour on cooler days, while the grounds themselves are large enough for a proper run-around without feeling crowded. Paths are flat and stroller-friendly, and there are picnic tables scattered under mature trees for a packed lunch. Its far less touristy than the citys central sights, which makes it a relaxed spot to let kids burn off energy between museum visits. Its reachable by tram followed by a short walk, and unlike most paid attractions in Nantes, a visit here costs nothing.
Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Nantes
Closed for renovation since 3 November 2025; reopening is planned for 2029. The natural history museum, housed in a nineteenth-century building near the Jardin des Plantes, is not open to visitors in the meantime. Check the museum's site for any events or temporary exhibitions elsewhere in the city.
Tips for With Kids
- Combine the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle and Planétarium in one visit since theyre next door to each other, and book planetarium tickets ahead for weekends and school holidays.
- A car is the most practical way to reach Planète Sauvage; check for shuttle bus options if traveling without one.
- Most museums offer reduced or free entry for young children, so bring ID confirming their age to skip any confusion at the ticket counter.
- Pack a picnic for the Jardin du Grand Blottereau, its free entry and shaded lawns make it an easy budget stop between paid activities.