Souvenir shop in Nantes: top 10 best addresses & VAT refund guide
Visiting Nantes and wondering how to find a great souvenir shop among all those scattered throughout the city center?
Between the historic district around Saint-Pierre, local craftsmanship, and gourmet specialties, it’s not always easy to know where to find authentic gifts that truly reflect Nantes’ identity.
In this article, we’ve selected the 10 best souvenir shops in Nantes — places that best embody the city’s gourmet, artisanal, and cultural heritage. You’ll also find typical gift ideas and a simple guide to reclaim VAT if you live outside the European Union.
Bringing back a souvenir from Nantes means taking a piece of the city home with you. And thanks to Zapptax, you can do it while saving on VAT.
Before you start, estimate your potential VAT refund using our Zapptax VAT refund calculator.
In short
- Nantes offers a unique souvenir scene: traditional confectionery, designer creations, books, premium objects, local crafts, and gourmet specialties.
- We’ve selected 10 must-visit shops, each representing a different facet of Nantes’ heritage.
- Among the best souvenirs: Rigolettes, biscuits, local wines, designer objects, handcrafted accessories, and elegant stationery.
- Non-EU travelers: you can reclaim VAT on your purchases in just a few clicks with Zapptax, in all shops across Nantes.
Top 10 best souvenir shops in Nantes
Here is a selection of Nantes’ most iconic shops, perfect for bringing back an authentic, design-driven, or gourmet souvenir.
1. Le Bazar Officiel du Voyage à Nantes
This is the official shop of the city’s Tourist Office. A small boutique showcasing the craftsmanship of regional artists through artistic posters, objects inspired by urban artworks, graphic stationery, and more.
It’s a concentrated showcase of Nantes creativity and design. Every object tells a story about the city.
📍9 Rue des États, 44000 Nantes
2. Les Rigolettes Nantaises
A fine confectionery since 1902, les Rigolettes are one of Nantes’ most iconic sweets: delicate sugar shells filled with a soft fruit center. Traditionally sold in the city’s gourmet shops, they remain a symbol of Nantes’ sweet heritage.
📍18 Rue de Verdun, 44000 Nantes
3. Les Galeries Lafayette Nantes
A landmark of French shopping, Galeries Lafayette is an ideal address for finding a premium souvenir, a beautiful decorative item, a fragrance, gourmet specialties, or an elegant gift.
You’ll find:
- elegant stationery & lifestyle objects,
- local gourmet products and gift boxes,
- fashion accessories,
- perfumes, cosmetics, tableware.
Located just steps from Saint-Pierre Cathedral, the store is spacious, bright, and well organized, with a particularly popular Home & Gourmet section for gift shopping.
📍 2–20 Rue de la Marne, 44000 Nantes
4. Cigoire Nantes
An elegant concept store highlighting carefully selected French and European designers.
Decorative objects, artisanal cosmetics, candles, jewelry, stationery, and gift ideas — Cigoire is the perfect place to discover emerging creators and offer a refined, aesthetic, and sustainable gift.
📍 3 Rue Scribe, 44000 Nantes
5. Maison Lemaitre
Maison Lemaitre is a Nantes institution dedicated to gourmet pleasures. This delicatessen beautifully showcases local terroir through a refined selection of artisanal sweets, regional products, and elegant gift boxes.
You’ll find:
- artisanal butter biscuits,
- premium chocolates and confectionery,
- teas, coffees, and refined grocery items,
- local jams and delicacies,
- gourmet gift baskets.
It’s the ideal address if you’re looking for a gourmet, elegant, and easy-to-gift souvenir, perfectly representative of Nantes gastronomy.
📍 2 Rue Mathelin Rodier, 44000 Nantes
6. Very Good
Very Good is a wine shop renowned for the exceptional quality of its selection.
Whether you’re looking to bring back a bottle representative of the Nantes region or a gourmet gift basket, this is a top address.
You’ll find wines from the Pays Nantais, including the famous Muscadet, as well as premium spirits, local beers, and gourmet products such as terrines, artisanal chocolates, and regional sauces.
📍20 Rue Jean Jaurès, 44000 Nantes
7. Vincent Guerlais Chocolaterie
Impossible to talk about gourmet souvenirs in Nantes without mentioning Vincent Guerlais, a true Nantes institution and a leading figure in French chocolaterie.
In his city-center boutique, you’ll discover a refined universe where every product reflects the passion of the master chocolatier: fine chocolates with perfectly balanced textures, delicate yet intense macarons, smooth caramels, reinvented confectionery, and impeccably designed gift boxes.
Gourmet, elegant, and decidedly high-end, Guerlais creations are among the most appreciated souvenirs by visitors.
📍11 Rue Franklin, 44000 Nantes
8. Librairie Coiffard
Coiffard is the oldest independent bookstore in Nantes and one of its most iconic cultural institutions. Its cozy rooms and carefully curated literary selection make it a historic place loved by both locals and visitors.
A must-visit for lovers of beautiful books and cultural objects.
In addition to its extensive book selection, Coiffard offers elegant stationery, bound notebooks, illustrated posters, and local creations that make excellent souvenirs.
📍 7–8 Rue de la Fosse, 44000 Nantes
9. La Trinitaine
La Trinitaine is a must-visit address for discovering Nantes’ traditional flavors. Its shops offer a wide selection of butter biscuits, caramels, berlingots, and other regional sweets in a warm and authentic setting.
It’s the perfect place to find a gourmet souvenir that’s easy to transport and always appreciated. Elegant gift boxes allow you to offer a taste of Nantes’ culinary heritage to your loved ones.
📍 4 Place SAint-Pierre, 44000 Nantes
10. Coquerico
Coquerico highlights French and local creations with a modern and playful style. The shop brings together graphic objects, textiles, and accessories inspired by Nantes’ identity, designed to offer an original and characterful souvenir.
It’s easy to find a trendy, fun gift that reflects the city’s creative energy — perfect for those looking for a light, contemporary souvenir deeply rooted in Nantes’ spirit.
📍 2 Rue de Budapest, 44000 Nantes
Typical souvenir ideas to bring back from Nantes
Nantes is full of small treasures to slip into your suitcase. Here’s our expanded selection to inspire you:
Gourmet souvenirs
- Rigolettes,
- butter biscuits,
- berlingots,
- local terrines and spreads,
- wines from the Pays Nantais (including Muscadet),
- artisanal chocolate.
Craftsmanship & know-how
- leather goods from Maison Lemaitre,
- artisan jewelry,
- ceramics,
- screen-printed textiles.
Cultural souvenirs
- books on Nantes history,
- art books,
- notebooks and fine stationery.
- FC Nantes souvenirs
How to reclaim VAT on your souvenir purchases in Nantes (non-EU travelers)
If you are a non-EU resident, you can reclaim VAT on your purchases made in France.
Why use Zapptax?
Zapptax simplifies the entire VAT refund process in France:
- Works in all shops in Nantes, including online purchases delivered in France.
- Centralizes all your invoices to reach the €100 minimum threshold.
- Generates a digital tax-free form.
- Multilingual personalized support.
- Secure refund after validation.
How to reclaim VAT with Zapptax
- Download the Zapptax app.
- At the time of purchase, ask the retailer for an invoice issued in the name of Zapptax.
- Import all your invoices by taking photos.
- The app groups your purchases and generates your tax-free forms.
- At your EU exit point (airport, train station, etc.), validate your form at a PABLO kiosk or with a customs officer.
- Once validated, the refund process is triggered and you’ll receive your refund within a few weeks.
Conclusion
Choosing a souvenir from Nantes isn’t just about buying an object: it’s about taking home a piece of the city’s creativity, craftsmanship, and culture.
From design and artisan goods to gourmet specialties and local creations, Nantes offers gift ideas for every taste.
And if you’re a non-EU resident, don’t forget that your purchases can be easily VAT-refunded with Zapptax — a simple, modern, and cost-effective way to make the most of your stay while saving money.
FAQ
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What souvenirs should you bring back from Nantes?
Visitors particularly appreciate iconic sweets like Rigolettes, butter biscuits, wines from the Pays Nantais, and chocolates. Designer objects, local posters, and accessories from independent creators are also very popular.
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What are the typical gastronomic products from Nantes?
The most famous specialties include gâteau nantais with rum, butter biscuits, salted butter caramels, berlingots, and emblematic sweets such as Rigolettes. Wines from the Nantes vineyards, especially Muscadet, are also highly appreciated.
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What makes Nantes famous for shopping?
Nantes stands out for its unique mix of historic shops, contemporary concept stores, local designers, and gourmet food shops. The city has a strong identity reflected in its retail offering, often marked by creativity, quality, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship.
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Where should you go shopping in Nantes?
Most of the most interesting shops are located in the city center, around Commerce and the Bouffay district. Streets such as Crébillon, Scribe, Jean-Jaurès, and Rue de la Fosse offer a wide variety of stores, from major brands to independent creators, bookstores, and gourmet addresses. Passage Pommeraye and its surroundings are also among the most popular shopping areas.
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What is the main shopping street in Nantes?
Rue Crébillon, often referred to as “Crébillon Street,” is the most iconic shopping street in Nantes, connecting Commerce to Place Graslin.
