Where to Find Me in Nantes on a Rainy Day

Fortunately, I've gotten pretty good at it.

As much as I love a sunny afternoon along the Loire or a bike ride through the vineyards, there's something about a gray, drizzly day in Nantes that I actually really enjoy. Maybe it's because I have a whole collection of little rituals and favorite places that make staying local feel like an occasion.

And while there are plenty of traditional rainy-day activities in Nantes (museums, galleries, the Passage Pommeraye, etc.), this isn't really that kind of guide.

These are the places where you'll actually find me on a rainy Saturday or Sunday. Some are well-known, some are seriously underrated, and a few I probably shouldn't be sharing at all.

If it's raining and you can't find me, there's a very good chance I'm at Gigg's Irish Pub by the cathedral.

In my extremely biased opinion, Gigg's has the best Guinness and the best proper pub atmosphere in Nantes. Hands down.

My fiancé and I have developed a little tradition: we grab a couple of Maxi Mots Croisés scratch-off tickets and settle in for a pint or two. There's something deeply satisfying about doing French crossword scratch-offs over a perfectly poured Guinness while it's miserable outside.

They also have some good fried pub-food options if you're hungry. And when the kitchen isn't open, we've occasionally brought snacks from elsewhere (with the staff's okay). There's a little traiteur nearby that sells delicious hummus, yogurt-based dips, and other things that go perfectly with a pint.

It's cozy, unpretentious, and one of my favorite places to spend a rainy afternoon doing absolutely nothing productive.

A rainy day is also an excellent excuse to spend a few hours hunting for secondhand clothes you absolutely do not need.

My ideal afternoon starts with a drink from TikTak Bubble Tea. I know they have a huge menu, but I am very loyal to their caramel macchiato with tapioca boba. It's so good.

Drink secured, it's time to go thrifting.

A few of my favorite secondhand spots in Nantes are:

Bain de Midi: One of my go-to spots for a good vintage find.

Ronin Friperie: Always worth stopping by to see what's on the racks.

Wattignies: A little different from the classic vintage-shop experience, and part of a much bigger creative space.

The best thing about thrifting is that you never know what you'll find. Sometimes I leave with nothing, sometimes I find something amazing, and sometimes I just enjoy browsing while avoiding the rain.

Honestly, a pretty solid afternoon either way.

Speaking of Wattignies, this place deserves its own mention.

Wattignies is one of those spaces that makes me appreciate the cultural scene in Nantes. It's not just somewhere to grab a drink. It's a creative, slightly alternative space where there's usually something interesting going on.

Think secondhand markets, concerts, DJ sets, drag performances, burlesque shows, and all sorts of other events.

I love that you can show up for one thing and end up discovering something completely different.

It's also exactly the sort of place that gives Nantes its personality. A little quirky, a little unconventional, and much more interesting than another generic bar.

Definitely check their event calendar before going. You might stumble upon something really fun.

This is one I genuinely considered girl-boss gatekeeping. Oh well, no ragrets (it's a ref).

Cinéma Bonne Garde in Nantes Sud is one of the most underrated places in the city.

First of all, a full-price ticket is only €6. SIX EUROS.

Second, it's a small, independent, volunteer-run cinema with a really interesting selection of films.

Sometimes you'll find a major release playing a little later than at the big commercial cinemas. Other times, it's an international independent film, an arthouse discovery, or an old classic.

It's the kind of place where I can show up, settle into my seat with a snack, and enjoy a film without the chaos of a big multiplex.

Most of the times I've been, there have been hardly any queues or crowds. Just a quiet, comfortable little cinema.

And because I live in Nantes Sud, it's particularly convenient for me.

I genuinely don't understand why more people don't talk about this place. But also, maybe that's for the best?

There are plenty of coffee shops in Nantes, but Tumbleweed is one of my absolute favorites.

The coffee is great, the matcha is delicious, and they also have CBD teas, cookies, and other little treats that make it an excellent place to hide from the rain for an hour or two. Also, they double as a CBD and more shop.

But what makes Tumbleweed special to me is the people.

I've gotten to know Pierre and Katarina, the lovely owners, and they're genuinely some of the nicest and most welcoming people. It's one of those places where you don't feel like you're just another customer walking through the door.

There's also an adorable dog who hangs out there, which is obviously a major selling point.

I love small businesses like this, where you start coming for the coffee and keep coming back because of the people.

If you're in the Graslin area and need a cozy little escape from the weather, go give them some love.

Sometimes you don't want a whole sit-down meal. You're hungry, but not that hungry, and you just want something really satisfying.

Enter Bao Dao.

This Taiwanese street-food spot makes one of my favorite quick bites in Nantes: their tofu gua bao.

It's soft, fluffy, flavorful, and exactly the right size when you want something more substantial than a snack without committing to an entire meal.

I'm a huge fan of Taiwanese food, and this is one of those little stops that never disappoints.

Perfect for refueling between shops, before a movie, or when you just need something warm and comforting on a cold, rainy day.

If it's Saturday and I'm in the mood for something a little more indulgent, oysters and a glass of Muscadet are very high on my list.

La Muscadothèque has a fantastic selection of Muscadet, including bottles that really show how interesting and varied this local wine can be.

And when there are oysters available, even better.

If you've read anything else I've written about the Nantes region, you can probably tell that I'm a big fan of Muscadet. Especially when paired with oysters.

It's one of my favorite simple pleasures of living in this part of France: good local wine, fresh seafood, and absolutely no need to make the occasion fancy.

f it's Saturday or Sunday morning, another one of my favorite things to do is head to Marché de Talensac.

This is one of the best food markets in Nantes, and on weekend mornings it's full of life.

You'll find fresh seafood, cheeses, charcuterie, bread, olives, dips, prepared dishes, and plenty of other delicious things.

But for me, the real attraction is the oysters.

I've found deals of 13 oysters for €6 or even less, with around €1 extra to have them opened. Obviously, prices depend on the vendor, size, and season, but it's an incredible little treat when you find a bargain like that.

The best part? There are bars just across from the market where you can buy a drink and enjoy food you've picked up at the market.

So you can assemble your own little feast: oysters, fresh bread, cheese, maybe some olives, and a glass of white wine.

And if it's raining, you can settle in inside instead of having to sit out on the terrace.

It's one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend morning in Nantes. Simple, delicious, and surprisingly affordable.

If you have a car (or don't mind making the journey out to Saint-Herblain), Calicéo is such a good rainy-day option.

For €22, you can get a two-hour pass to the baths, which include heated indoor and outdoor pools, bubbling baths, saunas, hammams, and relaxation areas.

And honestly, sitting in a warm outdoor pool while it's cold and rainy outside is pretty hard to beat.

They also have aquabike classes if you're feeling more energetic. Don't be fooled by the fact that you're exercising in water: it's a genuinely good workout.

It's a nice option when you want to get out of the apartment but don't necessarily want to go shopping, eating, or drinking.

Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is just two hours of warm water and doing nothing.

Finally, if you're not afraid of a little rain, I highly recommend grabbing an umbrella and walking along the ramparts of the Château des Ducs de Bretagne.

I actually think the château looks particularly beautiful on gray, gloomy days.

There's something about the old stone walls, the dark sky, and the wet streets that makes the whole place feel wonderfully dramatic. Very medieval. Very moody. Very Nantes.

And the best part is that walking the ramparts and exploring the courtyard is free.

If the weather gets too unpleasant, you can also head inside to visit the Nantes History Museum. Standard admission is currently €9, and it's genuinely worth exploring if you're interested in the city's complicated and fascinating past.

I think one of the things I've learned from living here is that you don't need perfect weather to have a really good day.

Sometimes the rain is just an excuse to slow down a little.

To settle into a pub with a pint and a crossword. To browse vintage clothes without a particular mission. To watch a film in a tiny neighborhood cinema, discover a new wine, or spend an hour catching up with familiar faces over coffee.

And maybe that's one of the things I've come to appreciate most about Nantes.

It's not always sunshine and riverside picnics. But there's a lot to love about the city when the skies are gray, too.

You just need to know where to go.