
Escal’Atlantic – Saint-Nazaire
Saint-Nazaire, nicknamed the ‘city by the sea’, is on the Loire Estuary and the Atlantic Coast.
Saint-Nazaire, "City by the sea"
It is a lively place with plenty to do all year round ! It has a rich industrial heritage and is a great place for industrial tourism. Visit the Chantiers Navals shipyards to see how the finest ocean liners in the world are built and hear a few interesting stories too. After the sea, the air ! The Airbus factory to be exact ! Here you can tour the different workshops with a guide to see how aircraft are constructed.
A new attraction opened in 2018 : EOL is a discovery centre dedicated to wind turbines, the other giants of the seas.
The city is undergoing radical transformation and turning more and more towards the sea with shops, restaurants and seaside activities. The sea front is a great place to walk, cycle or roller-skate. Cycle paths have been widened and street furniture renewed. For evening entertainment, there is an evening producers’ market plus a good choice of shows and other events. Take your choice !
Saint-Nazaire has more than 20 beaches and coves, the longest bridge in France and the coastal footpath. What’s more Tintin, the famous comic strip character, came to Saint-Nazaire ! Strange as it may sound, an episode from the book « The Seven Crystal Balls » takes place in the city.
Drop anchor in Loire-Atlantique to explore the charming « city by the sea » !
Escal’Atlantic

To know more about the history of ocean liners, climb aboard for Escal'Atlantic !
This unique discovery experience traces the story of life aboard the grand transatlantic liners of the 20th century. As you enter the building, you get the impression you are boarding a real ship. Next comes the tour of a liner, its cabins, lounges, bridge and galleys with archive footage. More than 200 collector’s items from legendary liners are on show including an elegant chandelier from the S.S. France (1962) and cutlery from S.S Normandie (1935). A magnificent voyage and a wonderful experience !
The best thing about Escal’Atlantic is its realistic set design. As you board the ship, go inside the cabins, up on deck and into the wheelhouse you really feel that you’re on board a liner. Escal’Atlantic also gives lots of fascinating, interactive information using digital tablets, a marvellous way to watch period footage, see how liners operated and study the items from unique collections with all the family !
Make a date at Escal’Atlantic – don’t miss the boat !
How to get to Saint-Nazaire ?
Saint-Nazaire is less than an hour’s drive westward from the centre of Nantes. If you would rather go by train the journey takes 40 minutes. The city is 1¾ hours by car from Rennes and 1¼ hours from Vannes and the Gulf of Morbihan through the Brière Regional Natural Park."
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Villa Myriam
in SAINT-BREVIN-L'OCEAN - Loire-Atlantique
Our new accommodations
Insolite
Les Insolites de Prigny 2
in LES MOUTIERS-EN-RETZ - Loire-Atlantique