Living in Nantes also means knowing how to quickly escape the density of the city center. Cycling remains the most effective way to discover the green lungs of the metropolitan area. Here is a selection of accessible routes and parks, tested and approved by locals for their environmental quality and bike-friendly paths.
Bords de l'Erdre
Bords de l'Erdre Address: rue du 44300, 111 Rue du Port Boyer, 44300 Nantes Google rating: 4.5/5 (280 reviews) View on Maps Website: https://patrimonia.nantes.fr/home/decouvrir/themes-et-quartiers/erdre.html Hours: Monday: Open 24 hours · Tuesday: Open 24 hours · Wednesday: Open 24 hours…
Bords de l'Erdre is one of the most beautiful walking and cycling routes in the metropolitan area. Starting from Port Boyer, you can enjoy a wide, well-maintained path that follows the water at a peaceful pace. It is the perfect spot for a morning ride before the crowds reach the more central quays.
la voie verte
la voie verte Address: Rue Atalante, 44470 Carquefou Google rating: 4.2/5 (20 reviews) View on Maps Website: https://www.ma-voie-verte.fr/carte-voies-vertes-pistes-cyclables/voie-verte-carquefou-st-mars-la-jaille-loire-atlantique/
This section of la voie verte linking Carquefou is perfect for families or cyclists looking for zero car traffic. The layout feels safe and is separated from departmental roads. You ride through nature with very little elevation change, making it a gentle route that residents of the northern outskirts especially appreciate.
Passerelle de l'étang Hervé
Passerelle de l'étang Hervé Address: 15 All. Jean Rostand, 44470 Carquefou Google rating: 4.8/5 (4 reviews) View on Maps Hours: Monday: Open 24 hours · Tuesday: Open 24 hours · Wednesday: Open 24 hours…
The footbridge lets you cross étang Hervé with a sweeping view of the surrounding vegetation. It is a strategic crossing point if you combine your bike ride with a walk in the nearby woods. The infrastructure is recent and sturdy, offering full safety for two-wheelers.
Sentier de l'Erdre
Sentier de l'Erdre Address: Nantes Erdre, 44300 Nantes Google rating: 4.9/5 (37 reviews) View on Maps Hours: Monday: Open 24 hours · Tuesday: Open 24 hours · Wednesday: Open 24 hours…
With an outstanding 4.9/5 rating, Sentier de l'Erdre is often described as Nantes' green gem. It winds through the trees, creating an almost wild atmosphere despite the nearby urban setting. Cyclists will find a pleasant surface and welcome shade on summer days.
Parc naturel de Beaulieu
Parc naturel de Beaulieu Address: Rue du Pré Salé, 44200 Nantes Google rating: 4.2/5 (1723 reviews) View on Maps Hours: Monday: Open 24 hours · Tuesday: Open 24 hours · Wednesday: Open 24 hours…
Located near the CHU, this park offers a wide variety of atmospheres. It is easy to reach by bike from the city center via the cycle paths along Ile de Nantes. The main paths are wide and easy to use, although some pedestrian areas require caution. It is a major relaxation spot for students and healthcare workers.
Parc de la Chantrerie
Parc de la Chantrerie Address: Rte de Gachet, 44300 Nantes Google rating: 4.5/5 (1606 reviews) View on Maps Website: https://metropole.nantes.fr/ Hours: Monday: Open 24 hours · Tuesday: Open 24 hours · Wednesday: Open 24 hours…
Parc de la Chantrerie is a vast green space in northern Nantes. Although the heart of the park is reserved for pedestrians, the surrounding avenues and access roads make it comfortable to reach by bike. It is the perfect place for a picnic after a long ride, with shaded areas beneath century-old trees.
Parc des Oblates
Parc des Oblates Address: Rue Philippe de Broca, 44100 Nantes Google rating: 4.4/5 (1157 reviews) View on Maps Website: https://metropole.nantes.fr/lieu/parc-des-oblates Hours: Monday: 08:30 – 22:00 · Tuesday: 08:30 – 22:00 · Wednesday: 08:30 – 22:00…
This residential park in the Dervallières - Zola district is highly valued for its tranquility. Opening hours until 22:00 make it possible to enjoy early-evening walks. Bike access is easy from the adjacent streets, and the park offers plenty of benches for resting. It is a peaceful oasis in a dense area.
Parc Floral de la Beaujoire
Parc Floral de la Beaujoire Address: 344 Rte de Saint-Joseph, 44300 Nantes Google rating: 4.6/5 (2459 reviews) View on Maps Website: https://metropole.nantes.fr/lieu/parc-floral-de-la-beaujoire-roseraie#schedule Hours: Monday: 08:30 – 22:30 · Tuesday: 08:30 – 22:30 · Wednesday: 08:30 – 22:30…
Parc Floral de la Beaujoire is a must for lovers of flowers and landscaped spaces. Located next to the stadium, it is easy to reach via the major cycling routes in northern Nantes. The rose garden is especially beautiful in spring. The paved paths allow bikes to move smoothly up to the main entrances.
Practical Tips
For these rides, use public transport to reach the starting points if you are coming from farther away, especially tram line 1 for Beaujoire or the bus routes serving Carquefou. Park hours vary: Beaulieu and Chantrerie are open 24 hours a day, while Oblates closes at 22:00 and Beaujoire at 22:30. My local tip: avoid rush hour (8:00-9:00 and 17:00-18:00) on cycle paths shared with cars, and choose greenways like the one in Carquefou for maximum safety.