Run Nantes with a local

The must-run routes

• The Erdre banks — flat, shaded paths heading north, the star route of Nantes runners.
• Île de Nantes & the Loire banks — revamped quays, the Machines de l’île and the river, flat and lively.
• Parc de Procé — a wooded valley crossed by a stream, green loops west of the centre.
• Île de Versailles & the Japanese garden — a peaceful little island on the Erdre, a nature stop in the middle of town.
• The Sèvre (Trentemoult, Vertou) — a towpath to the south, a bucolic ribbon of water to stretch your stride.

Run like a local

Your guide is a Nantais who loves to run and knows the Erdre, the Loire and the Sèvre inside out. Since Nantes is fairly flat, they play with distance and scenery — the banks, Île de Nantes, Parc de Procé. Many of our guides here are running-club members and Nantes University students who know every training loop.

Self-guided routes

Public, well-known routes you can run on your own — a solid plan B to get moving right away. But the best of TourMyRun is still discovering them with a local who takes you, at your pace.

• 1

  The Erdre banks (left bank)

  The star route of Nantes runners

  ≈ 11 kmDistance~1 h 05DurationEasyDifficultyOut & backRoute

  

  Start : Quai de Versailles / Île de Versailles

  Flat, shaded paths along the Erdre heading north, with a wooden boardwalk on stilts near Port-Boyer. One of France's loveliest riverside runs.

  What you'll see

  1. 1Île de Versailles & Japanese garden — the Japanese-inspired garden island on the Erdre.
  2. 2Le Petit Port — the riverside stop, mid-route, opposite the university.
  3. 3The Port-Boyer boardwalk on stilts — the wooden walkway right on the water, signature of the run.

  Getting there

  Tram 2 Saint-Mihiel or Motte Rouge, by the Erdre.

  Best time

  Early morning, when the banks are cool and empty.

  Water

  Water points at Petit Port and in the riverside squares.

  Finish café

  Cafés on Quai de Versailles or Motte Rouge on the way back.

  Want to run it with someone local? Find your run →
• 2

  The Île de Nantes loop

  Quays, walkways and street art, all flat

  ≈ 10 kmDistance~1 hDurationEasyDifficultyLoopRoute

  

  Start : Les Machines de l'île / Quai des Antilles

  Cobbled quays and walkways all around the island, moored barges, street art and former shipyards. Completely flat.

  What you'll see

  1. 1Les Machines de l'île & the Great Elephant — the giant mechanical elephant roaming the old shipyard.
  2. 2The Buren Rings — the 18 lit rings lined up on Quai des Antilles.
  3. 3Le Hangar à bananes — the old warehouse turned bars and terraces, western tip.

  Getting there

  Tram 1 Chantiers Navals, in the heart of the island.

  Best time

  Early morning, before the quays get busy.

  Water

  Water points along the landscaped quays.

  Finish café

  Cafés and open-air bars at the Hangar à bananes at the finish.

  Want to run it with someone local? Find your run →
• 3

  Parc de Procé

  A green valley to break up the flat

  ≈ 2 km (green loops)Distance~15 minDurationEasyDifficultyLoopRoute

  

  Start : Bd des Anglais entrance (Procé)

  A wooded valley crossed by a stream, a pleasant bit of relief west of the centre to break up the flat.

  What you'll see

  1. 1The Cens valley — the small wooded relief crossed by the stream.
  2. 2The bridge & stream — the footbridge over the Cens, heart of the park.
  3. 3The rose garden & Procé manor — rose beds in front of the 18th-century house.

  Getting there

  Tram 1 / bus to the Procé area, west of the centre.

  Best time

  Morning, in the shade of the valley.

  Water

  Water points in the park.

  Finish café

  Cafés in the Procé neighbourhood at the exit.

  Want to run it with someone local? Find your run →

How it works

1. 1Search for a run in Nantes and pick a slot (pace, duration, neighbourhood).
2. 2Book in seconds — booking, chat, GPX track and payment handled in the app.
3. 3Meet your guide at the meeting point and run. Zero logistics — lace up, we handle the rest.

Upcoming runs in Nantes

• 
  Nantes : boucle de 6 km

  📍 marina, Nantes · 34 min

• 
  Nantes : parcours de 9 km

  📍 old town gate, Nantes · 69 min

• 
  Aller-retour de 26 km à Nantes

  📍 old town gate, Nantes · 171 min

• 
  7 km parcours · Nantes

  📍 stadium car park, Nantes · 43 min

FAQ — Running in Nantes