France · 2026 itinerary
Nanterre 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Nanterre: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
A modern concrete cathedral built in the 1960s, with striking stained glass and an unusual spire.
🕐 Daily 8am–7pm
Free entry💡 The crypt is open Wednesday afternoons only. Free, but donations for upkeep welcome.
Hotels near Cathédrale Sainte-Geneviève →A large public park with a lake, playgrounds, and walking paths. Good for picnics and jogging.
🕐 Open daily 7am–9pm
Free entry💡 The rose garden near the lake is quiet on weekday mornings. No entry fee, parking is free on the street.
Hotels near Parc André Malraux →Pizzeria Palma d'Oro · ££
oumuni · ££
Deeper Into Nanterre
Ruins of a medieval abbey with an outdoor sculpture garden and peaceful cloister. No admission fee for the grounds.
🕐 Grounds open daily 9am–6pm; chapel limited hours
💡 Entry to the chapel is free on the first Sunday of each month. The garden is a good spot for a quiet lunch.
A memorial and museum on the site of a WWII execution ground. The museum covers local resistance history.
🕐 Wed–Sun 10am–12:30pm, 2pm–5pm
💡 Free guided tours in French on weekends; English audio guides available. Bring ID for entry. Closed Mondays.
Pizzeria Torino
Atelier Bey
Final Favourites & Departure
A riverside park along the Seine with cycling paths, birdwatching spots, and a small beach in summer.
💡 Best visited early morning for dawn light on the river. Bring a bike – rentals are cheap from the Vélib' station at the entrance.
Buffalo Grill
Le Sancerre
Getting Around Nanterre
Take the CDG Val shuttle to Terminal 2 TGV station, then RER B to Châtelet–Les Halles, switch to RER A towards Cergy or Poissy, alight at Nanterre-Préfecture. The hotel is a 10-minute walk east along Rue de Seine.
Good if you're already in central Paris for sightseeing. At La Défense, take the step-free exit near the Grande Arche. Bus 272 runs closer to the hotel than the RER.
Faster than bus 272 and runs late. From Pont de Neuilly, it's a 5-minute walk to the tram stop. Alight at 'Ancienne Mairie', then walk 3 minutes east along Rue de l'Ancienne Mairie.
Book a fixed-rate taxi from the official booth at arrivals to avoid surge pricing. From CDG, it's around €55-€65; from Orly, €50-€60.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Nanterre?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Cathédrale Sainte-Geneviève and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Nanterre?
See our full best time to visit Nanterre guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Les Estudines, CROUS, L'Imprévu. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.