Visit Saint-Nazaire

Another remarkable survivor of wartime destruction, the Simone Veil Theater stands as a fascinating blend of history and architecture. Inaugurated in 1867, shortly after the Paris–Saint-Nazaire railway line was opened, the building originally served as the city’s train station. It remained in operation Read more

If you’re looking for art in Saint-Nazaire, there’s no need to search high and low—it’s right there in the streets. For several years now, artists from around the world have been invited to bring color and creativity to the city’s public spaces. As you wander through town, you’ll come across stunning Read more

Keep going straight and you might start to feel like you're heading straight into a wall—a concrete one, no less. And you wouldn’t be wrong. But don’t worry... what’s ahead is well worth the approach! Right across from the submarine base, the fortified lock stands as another striking witness to Saint- Read more

A true treasure of Saint-Nazaire, the Espadon submarine is the last of its kind—a proud representative of the Narval class, a series of French-built missile-launching submarines from the 1950s. For 25 years, the Espadon served on observation missions and helped train generations of submariners. Read more

Let’s be honest—the first impression of Saint-Nazaire’s submarine base and fortified lock isn’t exactly cheerful. These massive concrete structures look more like giant safes than scenic landmarks, weathered daily by water infiltration and time. But don’t be fooled—these two “old ladies” actually offer Read more

Located right on the edge of the Loire estuary, the ecomuseum couldn't be better situated to tell the complete story of Saint-Nazaire, its port, and its major industries. Opened in 1988 under the town council's initiative, this cultural destination invites us on a journey through time, featuring both Read more

Constantly exposed to sea spray and ocean winds—which, over time, leave their mark—this memorial isn’t the easiest to interpret at first glance. But take a moment, look a little closer, and with a bit of context, its message becomes strikingly clear. Let’s start with a question: do you know what Read more

From a distance—or even up close—you might say Saint-Nazaire is all about cranes and gantries, dancing across the skyline. And you’d be right. But what if you looked a little closer? Because behind those towering structures is something far more impressive: a vast industrial and port complex Read more

How about leaving dry land behind for a change, and diving—figuratively, of course—into the fascinating world of ocean liners? It's a unique experience, and yes, it does come with an entrance fee, but it’s well worth it. Saint-Nazaire and ocean liners go hand in hand. From 1862 until the eve Read more

Towering over the Saint-Nazaire landscape, the submarine base is one of the city’s most striking landmarks—both in scale and in symbolism. Its story begins in 1941, when Nazi Germany built five massive submarine bases along the Atlantic coast to shield its U-Boats from British air attacks. Read more

“Billions of blue blistering barnacles!”—what on earth is Tintin doing in Saint-Nazaire? If you’re a fan of the famous quiff-haired reporter, you might remember that in The Seven Crystal Balls, Tintin, along with his loyal dog Snowy and the ever-exasperated Captain Haddock, travels to Saint-Nazaire Read more

All around Saint-Nazaire, the echoes of World War II still linger. You’ll see them in the sturdy wartime buildings, now part of the town’s heritage. You’ll also sense them in quieter moments—at the many memorials honoring the brave souls who stood against Nazi Germany. One memorial in Read more

It’s here, at the edge of this rocky outcrop, that your walk might suddenly come to an end—but not in a bad way, especially if you’ve made it all the way to the tip. At the foot of the Vieux Môle lighthouse—the city’s very first port structure, built back in 1835—you’ll find a kind of balcony with a Read more

Across France, the scars of the Second World War are still visible. While the memories remain vivid for older generations, some cities were marked forever—devastated by bombings and forced to rebuild from the ground up. Saint-Nazaire is one of them. It’s said that 85% of the city was Read more

Staring out at the horizon—it’s something we all instinctively do when we’re by the sea, as if waiting for something to appear in the distance. Here, facing the main beach of Saint-Nazaire, something does catch your eye. Rising unexpectedly from the sand in Read more

Place du Commando is perfectly positioned facing the Loire estuary—and it’s become the city’s new go-to spot for fun, relaxation, and good times. New? Yes, because this welcoming meeting place, popular with both longtime locals and curious visitors, was only officially opened in July 2018. It’s Read more

You’ve probably already figured out that you’re walking along Saint-Nazaire’s seafront—but what you might not know is that this very path is actually part of the famous GR34, also known as the Customs Officers’ Path. Behind that slightly technical name lies one of France’s most iconic hiking trails. Read more

Whether you're sitting, walking, running, cycling, or even swimming, the Saint-Nazaire seafront offers countless ways to relax and take in the ocean views. That same ocean, just over a century ago, brought thousands of American troops to French shores to join the fight against Germany. Because Read more

Saint-Nazaire may not immediately strike visitors with its architecture—after all, more than 80% of the city was destroyed during the war. What it offers instead is a strong maritime identity. But just when you start to think of the city only in terms of ships and shipyards, you stumble upon a hidden Read more

After the sea, it’s time to reconnect with the land. In Saint-Nazaire, it almost feels like you're exploring all five elements at once. Created in 1884 at the city's request, the botanical garden is a peaceful oasis overlooking the seafront—a perfect place to slow down and catch your breath. Originally laid out Read more