Parc du Grand Blottereau

If you think Nantes parks are all manicured lawns and benches, the Grand Blottereau will change your mind. This is the city's largest park at 22 hectares, and it's less a park than a world tour through plants. The tropical greenhouses — built in 1902 for the colonial agriculture section of Nantes' commerce school — hold a collection of exotic species that's apparently unique in France. You'll wander past palm trees, banana plants, and species from across the Mediterranean and tropics, all laid out across themed gardens that make you forget you're in western France.

The standout for most visitors is the Jardin coréen — the "Colline de Suncheon" — a Korean-style garden with a pavilion, lotus pond, and carefully composed landscapes that feel transported straight from East Asia. It's genuinely surprising in the best way. Elsewhere, the 18th-century château (built in 1738 as a "folie" for shipowner Gabriel Michel) anchors French-style parterres, while a Mediterranean rockery adds another layer of botanical variety. The property once belonged to Thomas Dobrée, a wealthy Nantes merchant, before entering the public domain in 1905.

Be warned: this park is big enough that you genuinely can't see everything in one afternoon, as multiple reviewers note. Families rave about it — the space alone makes it worth the trip east. Plan for at least a half-day, wear comfortable shoes, and don't expect to rush. The greenhouses have limited opening hours, so check ahead if they're a priority. With a 4.6 rating across nearly 4,000 reviews, this is clearly one of Nantes' most beloved green spaces — and for good reason.