Summer 2025 in Nantes: What to Do? Activities and Events
Summer 2025 promises to be full of events in Nantes, a dynamic city in the northwest of France, at the heart of the Brittany region. Each year, the Nantes metropolis attracts a diverse public thanks to its unique cultural offerings, festivals, contemporary art spaces, and activities across all districts. Here is a complete guide to make sure you don’t miss anything from this new summer edition, with all the useful info, key dates, and must-visit locations.
Le Voyage à Nantes: the open-air art trail
The famous Voyage à Nantes returns from June 28 to August 31, 2025 with a new edition that transforms the city into an open-air gallery. Follow the green line and discover artistic installations, monumental works, and reinvented urban spaces in every district. Artists such as Weintzem, Sophie Calle, Romain Froquet, and Jean Levy will create brand-new works.
Places to explore include: Place Royale, the city center, the School of Fine Arts, and the house of man and nature. The goal? To offer an immersive experience for both locals and visitors from across France.
Aux Heures d’Été: a festival of world cultures
From July 8 to August 8, the Aux Heures d’Été Festival brings life to parks and gardens across the city with a free musical and artistic program open to all. This festival highlights world music, hip-hop, jazz, dance, and literature. Concerts, video screenings, children’s shows, and readings are scheduled every week.
The event takes place in several emblematic locations in Nantes, such as Parc de la Gaudinière, École Michelet courtyard, and Jardin des Plantes. A true moment of cultural sharing for families and fans of the performing arts.
Les Rendez-vous de l’Erdre: jazz and river heritage
From August 25 to 31, 2025, Les Rendez-vous de l’Erdre combines jazz and nautical heritage along the Loire. A hundred free concerts are held along the waterfront, accompanied by a grand parade of historic boats. This popular festival gathers a large audience each year in a unique atmosphere blending music stages and river parades.
The people of Nantes take advantage of this event to discover new artists while rediscovering their city from a fresh perspective — complete with food trucks, chill zones, and musical entertainment.
Débord de Loire, Sofilm, Maker Campus… your full summer agenda
Among the other highlights in the 2025 cultural calendar:
- Débord de Loire, June 12–18: a major maritime festival between Saint-Nazaire and Nantes, with performances, concerts, and shows on the Loire river.
- Sofilm Summercamp, June 18–21: an open-air film festival focusing on “video and pop culture.”
- Nantes Maker Campus, June 6–8: an event dedicated to innovation, DIY projects, and connected devices, held at the Maison des Compagnons.
- Festival SPOT, June 6–7: a platform for emerging Nantes-based talent, featuring concerts, street art, and sporting activities in the city center.
Practical info: passes, reservations, and transport
To fully enjoy the activities, remember to book your tickets for the most popular events. Some concerts and workshops fill up quickly, and access may be limited. The Nantes Pass is an excellent option for easy access to top cultural sites.
All locations are accessible by public transport, bike, or on foot from the city center. For visitors from Brittany or elsewhere in France, the high-speed TGV line offers quick access.
Conclusion
With a rich, accessible, and original lineup, summer 2025 in Nantes promises to be unforgettable. With culture, art, music, gatherings, and celebrations, every week holds something new to discover. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this season is bursting with energy and creativity.
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