Visit of the port
At the heart of the estuary landscape, port facilities represent a window to the world and an economy lung for the territory. Invested for more than 20 years in economic discovery tourism, Nantes - Saint Nazaire Port has been collaborating with the local tourist offices and tourist structures to welcome nearly 30,000 visitors per year.
Visit of the port sites from Saint-Nazaire
For more than 10 years, Nantes - Saint Nazaire Port has entrusted Saint-Nazaire Agglomération Tourisme with the organisation of tourist visits to discover its downstream facilities. Nearly 2,000 visitors each year choose this visit, which is recognised by the Qualité TourismeTM brand.
The coach excursion, departing from the submarine base, is commented by a certified guide. The tour, with stopping points depending on the port activity of the moment, lasts 2 hours. You will drive around the terminals, get as close as possible to the containers, XXL industrial packages (aeronautical parts, wind turbine components, etc.) or witness the transfer of various goods to Saint-Nazaire, Montoir-de-Bretagne and Donges.
Bus tour of the sites of Saint-Nazaire, Montoir-de-Bretagne and Donges
Individuals and groups
Duration: 2 hours
For schoolchildren: visits proposed from secondary school onwards
Information and bookings: Saint-Nazaire Agglomération Tourisme
Tél. 00 33 (0)2 28 540 640 (individual visit)
Tél. 00 33 (0)2 28 540 809 (group visits)
Mail. contact@saint-nazaire-tourisme.com
For further information please visit: Saint-Nazaire Renversante
A visit with the Tourism QualityTM label
In 2015, Nantes - Saint Nazaire Port was awarded the TourismeTM Quality label for visits to the port facilities at the Montoir de Bretagne and Saint-Nazaire sites.
It became the first Grand Port Maritime to receive this distinction.
In summer: take a cruise!
The "Saint-Nazaire sur Mer" cruise
From June to September, the "Saint-Nazaire sur Mer" cruise lets you discover the town's dual identity during the day. Saint-Nazaire at seaside: a preserved coastline, with its cliffs, coves and long beaches, a very green coastline with little construction. And in the Loire estuary, the shipyard and impressive port terminals.
For further information, please visit: www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.uk/attractions-and-tours/discovery-cruises/
Individuals and groups
Duration: 2 hours
Estuary cruises between Saint-Nazaire and Nantes
Departing from Saint-Nazaire or Nantes, take a guided cruise to discover the Loire estuary, an exceptional natural site and heritage. Along the 60-kilometer stretch of the Loire estuary linking the two cities of Saint-Nazaire and Nantes, you willl enjoy unique views of the villages, flora and fauna, contemporary works of art, not to mention the various port sites.
For further information, please visit: www.marineetloire.fr
Individuals and groups
Duration: 2h30
Visit the Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm
From June to September, set sail from Saint-Nazaire to discover France's first offshore wind farm. Your guide, a specialist in industrial visits, will take you 12 km offshore to get as close as possible to the 80 wind turbines due to be commissioned in 2022. He will tell you all about this titanic project, born in Saint-Nazaire, which aims to cover 20% of the Loire-Atlantique department's electricity needs.
For further information, please visit: www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.uk/attractions-and-tours/discovery-cruises/
Individuals and groups
Duration: 3 hours
Visit of Nantes port sites
Anchored in a history deeply linked to the city, the Nantes port domain today represents 590 ha. Concentrated on approximately 300 ha on the sites of Cheviré, Cormerais and Roche-Maurice, port traffic represents approximately 2 million tonnes and nearly 600 ship calls per year.
Bus tour of the Nantes-Cheviré port site
Discover the port of today by visiting Nantes' port sites and facilities on board a coach*. Wheat, sand, wood, aeronautical parts, recycled products... the goods in transit via Nantes Cheviré are many and varied. A true multimodal logistics platform, the Nantes sites open their doors to the world.
Constituted groups only
Duration : 2 hours
Student groups accepted
To schedule a visit, please send your request as soon as possible by e-mail to com@nantes.port.fr, specifying :
- the date you wish to visit
- the number of people
- the profile of the participants (professionals, students, associations, etc.)
- for school groups: the age and course of study of the participants
- your contact details (mobile and email) so that we can get back to you
- the purpose of the visit in a few words
*Coach hire is the responsibility of the group.
Our best spots to observe port activity
- The rooftop of the submarine base, Saint-Nazaire
- The rooftop of the fortified lock, Saint-Nazaire
Panoramic rooftop opening times
- The quay of the "Jetée Est" and the "Vieux Môle", Saint-Nazaire
- The "Jardin étoilé", Paimboeuf
- Trentemoult village, Rezé
- The viewpoints of the Loire estuary
Other possibilities to discover the port activities
"EOL" offshore wind energy centre, in Saint-Nazaire
The "EOL" was the first visitor centre dedicated to offshore wind energy and is the only one of its kind in France. Discover how offshore wind electricity is generated. An immersive, playful and interactive tour which will delight young and old alike!
Plus d'infos : www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.uk/attractions-and-tours/attractions/eol-centre-eolien/
Other possibilities for visits in Pays de la Loire
Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port is a member and founding member of the association "Visit our companies in Pays de la Loire". The structure, created in 2001, offers several tourist offers for economic discovery. Within this framework, around fifty companies, including Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port, open their doors to the public.
Visitez nos entreprises en Pays de la Loire
Tél. 02 40 44 63 49
www.visiteznosentreprises.com