Nantes: Pour L'Amour du Fil May 2027
Pour l'Amour du Fil is an unmissable show for people who love all things thread!
The title translates to 'for the love of thread' and this annual show is a fabulous celebration of textiles of all kinds, from patchwork and sewing to embroidery and knitting, created by fibre artists from all over the world.
With two - or even three - full days at the show, our programme allows you plenty of time to see the exhibitions, browse the 80+ stalls and take part in the array of talks, practical workshops and demonstrations. Inspiration is guaranteed!
What We Love
Experiences you will treasure
What people say
Wonderful! We enjoyed every aspect of the tour and the tour manager was fantastic; she had so much information to share and looked after us so well. We felt safe at all times, and were confident that her arrangements and recommendations would result in wonderful experiences.
A previous traveller
How much is it?
What's included
Itinerary
Where you will stay
Flight details
Outbound flight
Day One
08:45 - depart London Gatwick North Terminal on easyJet flight EZY8445
11:10 - arrive Nantes Atlantique Airport
Flight time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Inbound flight
Day Five
10:45 -depart Nantes Atlantique Airport on easyJet flight EXY8446
11:00 - arrive London Gatwick North Terminal
Flight time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Standard Essentials Class luggage allowance:
- 1x 15kg small under seat cabin bag up to 45x36x20cm
- 1x 23kg hold bag up to 275cm combined dimensions
Additional luggage available on request, just ask!
A Deeper Dive
The capital of Brittany for hundreds of years, Nantes has a fascinating history. Here are some suggestions for your free time:
Architecture & History
Surrounded by a water-filled moat, the imposing Château des Ducs de Bretagne with its 500m of curtain wall was built in the 15th century by Francois II, one of the last rulers of Brittany, and later became the Breton residence of the French monarchy. After an extensive 15-year restoration programme, the castle now houses Nantes’ history museum, where you can learn about the city’s past as France’s largest port
The city’s other great architectural gem is the Cathedral St. Pierre. Built in the 15th century and still an active place of worship, it boasts an impressive collection of contemporary stained glass windows.
Art & Museums
The city has several museums, including the newly refurbished natural history museum and the Musée d’Arts de Nantes, home to one of the finest art collections in France. The permanent exhibition contains over 900 works ranging from the 13th to 21st centuries, so whether your taste is for Tintoretto, Rodin, Monet, Delaunay or Anish Kapoor, there is sure to be something here to delight and surprise.
Shopping
Some of the city's best shopping can be found in the Bouffay district of Nantes’ old town. As well as half-timbered houses, you will also discover some speciality food boutiques and the Galeries Lafayette department store. In the newer part of town, the spectacular 19th-century glass-roofed shopping mall, the Passage Pommeraye, is not to be missed.
Landscape
Nantes lies on one of the most beautiful estuaries in the world so we recommend that you make time for an 'Estuaire' boat trip. This 2 hour 45 minute journey is the best way to see the rich wildlife reserves, huge industrial buildings and maritime heritage sites that make up the region's unique landscape.
The Elephant
And of course, no one should miss The Grand Elephant! One of several robotic animals which roam at the Machines de Ile, this famous elephant stands 12m tall and is made from 45 tonnes of steel and wood. If you would like to take a ride, you need to book tickets here. Places go fast, so do book well ahead.
One of the most iconic restaurants in Nantes, Brasserie La Cigale has rightfully earned its classification as an historic monument. Built in 1895 on Place Graslin, it epitomises the elegance of 19th century French brasseries with its striking Art Nouveau design, adorned with ceramics, paintings and ornate mirrors.
Since its opening, it has been a favourite haunt of artists and locals alike, partly due to its prime location opposite Théâtre Graslin. Over the years, it has welcomed luminaries such as the poet and screenwriter, Jacques Prévert and André Breton, the author and co-founder of surrealism. You may also recognise the interior from films such as Lola by Jacques Demy or Jacquot de Nantes by Agnès Varda.
La Cigale’s story is also one of resilience: rescued from being a fast-food restaurant and later abandoned, the brasserie was lovingly restored to its former glory in 1982. Today, it stands as testament to Nantes’ dedication to preserving its cultural treasures. With a menu that celebrates local producers and French culinary classics – including the renowned, rum-soaked Gâteau Nantais – it remains the place to eat in Nantes. And the décor may even inspire your next project!
Gâteau Nantais
No trip to Nantes is complete without a slice - or two - of Gâteau Nantais. Moist, buttery and flavoured with rum, this delicious cake has been a speciality of the city since the 18th century when the port was an important point of entry for goods including cane sugar, vanilla and rum arriving from the Caribbean colonies. At the time, Gâteau Nantais was an expensive treat, served by the wealthy to impress important guests, but today it can be found at every good café and restaurant in the city - including Brasserie La Cigale.
Before you book
- Please read our Booking Conditions
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This tour requires a minimum of 10 passengers to run. Please refer to point 7 in our booking conditions for more information
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This tour is suitable for most guests, but if you have any concerns or a specific mobility issue, please let us know ahead of booking
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From 12th October 2025, the EU will introduction a new Entry/Exit System (EES), changing requirements for UK nationals travelling to the Schengen area:
- UK travellers must provide biometric details (fingerprints and a photo) on arrival, potentially resulting in longer immigration queues
- No fee applies for the biometric registration
- Please refer to our Booking Conditions for more information
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For all travellers booking from outside of the UK to join this tour departing from the UK, please check if you need a ETA Visa
47.271804185389, -1.5170788764954
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