mamacat

Hi, I will be traveling in France in July with my husband and our 13-year old son. We have an opportunity to stay for a week in either Rennes, Nantes or Orleans (from June 30-July 7.) All three places look lovely and have wonderful attributes. We are very interested in history, medieval in particular, and castles are a big deal to my son! I'm trying to decide which place to go. Rennes is appealing because we could do day trips to St. Malo, Dinan and Mont St. Michael. But Nantes and Orleans also look great and seem to offer nearby trips to castles. We'll probably be using public transportation -- buses and trains. Any advice? Thanks! Beth

StCirq

Rennes, without hesitation.

StuDudley

Rennes, without question.

It is one of our 5 favorite cities in France. We visited Nantes a few years ago - staying for 2 nights. We were a little under-whelmed. Never visited Orleans.

Stu Dudley

PalenQ

I have stayed for a few months a year in Orleans for decades and it would be dead last on my list not just for those other cities but most any large city in France. Unfortunately blitzed in WW2 - not to say it does not have its pluses but if wanting to do the Loire I'd base in Amboise, a lovely city on The Loire that is really close to many castles - Orelans is not well situated for most of the famous Loire Castles except Chambord and Blois.

Nantes is near some really nice beaches you kid may love, like La Boule, one of the most famous and nicest in France.

Padraig

Another vote for Rennes. Nantes second, but a long way behind. Orléans not a contender.

Rennes has a great buzz about it, some good medieval buildings, a decent built heritage overall, and good shopping and dining options.

The neighbouring towns of Fougères and Vitré are worth some of your time.

FoFoBT

Well I vote for Nantes, also without ANY hesitation. It has changed a LOT in the past few years. And the French themselves regularly vote Nantes as their favourite city. The newly renovated chateau is a delight to tour. And yes, you are close to the coastal resort of La Baule (not La Boule), one of my favourite beach towns in Europe. The latest edition of Cote Ouest magazine has a multi-page feature spread about the charms of Nantes.

You are also an easy train ride from Angers, with its chateau and parks and medieval quarter, all an easy walk from the train station.

FrenchMystiqueTours

I would also choose Rennes. Rennes is the transport hub in that area so if you want to get to Dinan, St. Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel those places can be reached without much difficulty by public transport from Rennes. If you just want to see these places and then spend the rest of your time in Rennes then you probably don't need a car.

However, if you want to explore the countryside and get to off the beaten path places then I would urge you to rent a car. Most of these places can only be reached (without difficulty/inconvenience) by car. Or maybe at least consider renting a car for 2 or 3 days.