Nantes Travel Forum

Am lloking at travel options to nantes from Bristol, which isn't easy when trying to get my brother back to teach for the Monday 10/09/07, & negotiating the k-o time aswell. At the moment Plan A is to get a flight to Paris from Heathrow Friday evening, then train from Paris to Nante Sunday morning, then the only manageable flight back to London appears to be to Gatwick, which means an 80 min trip to Heathrow to collect the car!

Am now looking at Plan B, but some of the ferry times from St Malo to Poole look a little early at 20:10 - Does anyone know how long it should take from Nantes to St Malo on a sunday afternnon, & the respective mileage? Also, any tips for quaint 'real French' type hotels, B&B's/chateaus etc to saty in on the Saturday night would be great,as it appears Nantes is already booked out for this weekend!

P.s. Go easy on me this is my 1st time.

For journey times I always consult www.viamichelin.co.uk
Nantes to St Malo is listed at just over 2 hours (about 115 miles). If you don't know the area I'd allow an extra half hour to (a) take a wrong turn, and (b) find your way back to the correct route. That said, it is nearly all motorway, and the St Malo end will be simplicity itself. Nantes less so (big city), so make sure you have a decent map.

Accommodation-wise, there's simply loads. Logis de France are often traditional hotels, and for other characterful stuff try:
www.guidesdecharme.com
www.likhom.com
www.sawdays.co.uk
www.chateauxhotels.com

Around St Malo, Dinan is a lovely little place to stay for a night - though I am sure there are lots of other attractive places between there and Nantes.

Thanks Dunx - yes found michelin site very good in past, but wasn't sure how realistic 2 hours was, as will probably have 4 hours max to negotiate nantes & get back to st malo.

Any other suggestions of nice towns to stay at on route between st malo & nantes would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone recommend Rennes?

Cheers, Phil.