Le Voyage à Nantes
Summer art trail in the open air through the city of Nantes
About Le Voyage à Nantes
Created in 2012 by Jean Blaise, Le Voyage à Nantes is a unique summer art trail in France that transforms the city of Nantes into a vast open-air museum every summer. Guided by a green line drawn on the ground for over 16 kilometers, visitors discover contemporary artworks, monumental installations, architectural creations, and heritage sites scattered throughout the public space. Free and accessible to all, this multidisciplinary event combines visual arts, sculpture, street art, and heritage, attracting hundreds of thousands of curious visitors each year.
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Le Voyage à Nantes: When Contemporary Art Reinvents the City
Since 2012, Le Voyage à Nantes has established itself as one of the major cultural events of the summer in France. Born from the vision of Jean Blaise, a visionary artistic director, this summer trail transforms the Nantes metropolis into a gigantic open-air art gallery, where contemporary works and historical heritage dialogue in public spaces.
The Green Line: The Trail's Common Thread
The concept is as simple as it is brilliant: a green line painted on the ground guides visitors through the city, connecting about fifty artistic and heritage sites over more than 16 kilometers. From permanent works to ephemeral installations renewed each year, the trail invites you to rediscover Nantes from a new perspective. From the Château des ducs de Bretagne to the banks of the Loire, from the medieval streets of Bouffay to the former shipyards of the Île de Nantes, every corner of the city becomes a canvas for creation.
A Multidisciplinary and Free Event
Each summer, for two months, a dozen French and international artists are invited to create new works specifically designed for the locations they inhabit. Monumental sculptures, immersive installations, architectural interventions, landscape creations: the artistic forms are as varied as they are surprising. Alongside the outdoor trail, major exhibitions are presented in the city's cultural institutions, notably at the Château des ducs de Bretagne, the HAB Galerie, and the Musée d'arts de Nantes.
Access to the urban trail is completely free, in line with the event's founding philosophy: to make contemporary art accessible to all, in public spaces, without barriers or entrance fees.
A Lasting Artistic Legacy
Over the editions, some works have been preserved and are now an integral part of the Nantes landscape. This is the case for the famous Anneaux by Daniel Buren and Patrick Bouchain on the Quai des Antilles, the Arbre à Basket by A/LTA agency, or Roman Signer's Pendule in the Passage Sainte-Croix. These permanent works constitute the Voyage permanent, a trail accessible year-round that testifies to the artistic richness accumulated over more than a decade.
From Jean Blaise to Sophie Lévy: A New Era
After founding and directing Le Voyage à Nantes since its inception, Jean Blaise has passed the baton to Sophie Lévy, appointed general director, who is bringing a new dynamic to the event. Under her leadership, the 2026 edition inaugurates an ambitious four-year cycle dedicated to the natural elements, beginning with the theme of Earth. This renewal confirms the event's ability to reinvent itself while remaining true to its identity: making the city a playground for contemporary creation.
A Major Impact for the Region
Beyond its artistic dimension, Le Voyage à Nantes is a powerful lever for tourism and economic development for the Nantes metropolitan area. Organized by the Société Publique Locale Le Voyage à Nantes, created in 2011, the event has helped position Nantes among the most attractive cultural destinations in France, generating considerable economic benefits and strengthening the city's creative and innovative image.
Le Voyage à Nantes — edition 2026
The 15th edition of Voyage à Nantes will take place from July 4 to September 6, 2026, inaugurating a four-year cycle dedicated to natural elements with the theme of Earth. Under the direction of Sophie Lévy, fourteen new artworks by French and international artists will inhabit the city, with the cathedral crypts and the Jardin extraordinaire featured for the first time.
15th Edition – Earth
The 2026 edition of Voyage à Nantes inaugurates an ambitious four-year cycle dedicated to the natural elements, beginning with Earth. Under the direction of Sophie Lévy, this theme explores earth as a deep and silent matter, a dense cosmos, and a primordial metaphorical power, questioning the history, political, and ecological stakes of our relationship with the soil.
Fourteen New Artworks
The summer trail will feature fourteen new artworks throughout the city, created by a dozen French and international artists, including Caroline Le Méhauté and Ali Cherri. For the first time in the event's history, the cathedral crypts and the Jardin extraordinaire will host artistic creations, opening up new territories for exploration.
Major Exhibitions
Four major exhibitions will accompany the summer trail:
- INTERSTELLAR (May 23 – September 27, 2026) at the HAB Galerie, curated by Marc Donnadieu, featuring around twenty artists
- Expression(s) décoloniale(s) #4 (May 8 – November 8, 2026), presenting three major figures from the international scene
- Odyssée de l'oubli (May 22 – August 30, 2026)
- Rêves premiers (June 19 – August 30, 2026)
New Features
Among the new features for this edition: the Sorcières exhibition starting in February 2026, deconstructing historical clichés; the reopening of the Machines de l'île with late openings and free visits on Wednesdays; a behind-the-scenes tour by reservation; and the Muscadet du Voyage, an organic blended wine created specifically for the occasion.
Programme Le Voyage à Nantes 2026
2026 Program
- February 7: Opening of the Sorcières exhibition
- February 7: Reopening of the Machines de l'île with late openings
- May 8: Opening of Expression(s) décoloniale(s) #4
- May 22: Opening of Odyssée de l'oubli
- May 23: Opening of INTERSTELLAR at the HAB Galerie
- June 19: Opening of Rêves premiers
- July 4: Launch of the summer trail – 14 new artworks
- July 4: Nuit du VAN – Bottling of the Muscadet du Voyage
- September 6: Closing of the summer trail
Invited artists: Caroline Le Méhauté, Ali Cherri, and about ten other French and international artists. Detailed program available in May 2026.
Highlights Le Voyage à Nantes 2026
To Remember for 2026
- Dates: July 4 to September 6, 2026
- Theme: Earth – the first part of a four-year cycle on the elements
- 15th edition under the direction of Sophie Lévy
- 14 new artworks in public spaces
- New locations: cathedral crypts and Jardin extraordinaire
- 4 major exhibitions including INTERSTELLAR at the HAB Galerie
- Free access to the open-air trail
Prices Le Voyage à Nantes 2026
Practical information — Le Voyage à Nantes
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By train: Nantes station is served by TGV from Paris-Montparnasse (approx. 2h15), Lyon, Lille, Strasbourg, and many other French cities. The station is located very close to the start of the trail.
By car: Nantes is accessible via the A11 motorway (from Paris), the A83 (from Bordeaux/Niort), the A84/N137 (from Rennes). Several park-and-ride facilities (P+R) connected to the tram network allow easy access to the city center.
By plane: Nantes Atlantique Airport is located 10 km from the city center, with a regular shuttle service to the station and the city center.
Getting Around the Trail
The green line trail is mainly done on foot. It is also possible to follow it by bike thanks to the Bicloo service (self-service bikes). The TAN network (tram and bus) serves all the stages of the trail. A map of the trail is available free of charge at the Tourist Office and for download on the official website.
Prices
Access to the outdoor trail and the artworks in public spaces is completely free. Some exhibitions in partner museums and cultural venues may be subject to a charge. The Nantes Pass offers reduced rates for many sites and exhibitions.
Accessibility
The trail is largely accessible to people with reduced mobility. Detailed information on the accessibility of each stage is available on the official website and at the Tourist Office.
Practical Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes to walk the 16 km of the green line.
- Download the Le Voyage à Nantes mobile app for interactive guidance.
- Cultural mediators present on the trail offer insights into the artworks.
- La Cantine du Voyage, an ephemeral dining area, welcomes visitors all summer long.
- Remember sunscreen and water: the trail is mostly outdoors.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Le Voyage à Nantes at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Le Voyage à Nantes
Centre-ville de Nantes et métropole nantaise
1-3 rue de Crucy, 44000 Nantes