The tram, and why it matters
Nantes scrapped its old trams in 1958 like every other French city, then in 1985 became the first to build a modern one. Nearly every French tram network you have ridden exists because this one worked.
Three lines cross at Commerce in the middle of town and reach the station, the island, the university and the western quays.
You validate before boarding, not on board. Inspections are routine.
The river shuttle is public transport
The Navibus across the Loire to Trentemoult is part of the network and runs on the ordinary ticket. Most visitors pay for a boat trip without realising the crossing is a bus that floats.
On foot
The centre is small and flat, and the walk along the Erdre out of the city is the standard Nantais Sunday. The western quarters are genuinely steep.
The Tramway
The Erdre
Trentemoult