Experience in Asturies, France by André

How did you find living in the city of Nancy? Do you recommend it? How is the city?

Nancy welcomes almost 48, 000 students from every background, every year. It has several as well as top universities, well distributed throughout the entire city. 10% of students are Erasmus.

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How is student life in Nancy?

Being a student in Nancy is rather better than good. Everything is made here for students to live, work and feel at home.

48, 000 students out of 270, 000 inhabitants. As a result, the average age is lower and this is seen in the streets. It livens things up.

How are living costs in Nancy?

The classification of student living costs in 20 French cities:

15th, Nancy: 742, 44 euros a month.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Nancy? Have you got advice to give?

With the lowest average rent out of all the big university cities (€385 in June 2016), an average monthly cost under €400 and a varied and renovated supply; Nancy offers a supply of student accommodation amongst the most attractive in France.

How is the city's food? What are your favourite dishes?

The gastronomy

Nancy is rather stamped with 'Macaroons and Bergamots'.

For good measure, the mirabelle is also attributed to it, fruit (with all its variations in patisserie and sauces) with white alcohol.

Regarding sweets, always: the Saint Epvre (a cake made up of two meringue discs with almonds filled with a vanilla creme mixed with crushed nougatine), the Duchesse de Lorraine (a sweet), the gingerbread (especially the one from St. Nicholas), the chocolates, the Nancy cake, the Stanislas rum babas etc.

Le Saint Epvre

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Nancy and its surrounding areas are brimming with patisseries, confectioners and chocolatiers.

The most important of the 'savoury' specialities: quiche! Which they cook... without cheese!

Quiche Lorraine

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But also:

• The famous Lorraine Pate which can't be compared, with its meats marinated in white wine!
• The Bouchées à la Reine and the Cour de Stanislas's other legacies.
• The delicious Lorraine charcuterie.
• The Lorraine stew (cabbage, carrot, sausage and meat).
• The Choucroute ((Sauerkraut) which isn't exclusively Alsatian)).

Then the infinite ways of preparing game and river fish with good vegetables, mushrooms and fruits from the gardens and woods near us (visit our numerous neighbourhood markets and the central market in the heart of the Ville Neuve) first.

Regarding restaurants, there are many of them of which you can find in the neighbouring section.

Lorraine and French cuisine, world cuisine, sandwich shops (and some very reputable thanks to the students).

From chic tables to small cafes, you eat well in Nancy and its surroundings for all prices!

You also find excellent wine merchants and wine bars where everything can be found, including a Lorraine wine production; from Toul to Pays Messin, more and more remarkable, reputable cheese makers, caterers and inventive butchers.

Which places do you recommend to see in Nancy?

City of charm? With its historical centre and 18th century squares which are classified world heritage sites by UNESCO, the old town, its museums and its incomparable Art Nouveau (new art) heritage; Nancy possesses strong touristic attractive features. However, the city and its surroundings offer a supplementary dimension to the visitor or inhabitant; the shared feeling of a city where you feel good, where you find your way easily and which pleasantly surprises you by its diversity.

Art Nouveau

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Vast enough to offer the advantages of a big city but where everything remains accessible. This simultaneous geographical and psychological proximity, this simplicity of customs, the diversity of atmospheres and the charm of the quarters and villages make Nancy a very pleasant agglomeration to live in and visit... A succession of excellent surprises.

In many cases, the tourist, seduced, vows to return there for a longer stay.

And to eat in Nancy? Can you tell us your favourite places?

5 places at random:

• Berthom (LES): To drink a beer in Nancy, Apéro Resto Disco recommends going on a tour of Berthom, ideally situated in the old town.
• San Lorenza: Known all over Nancy for its delicious wood fired pizzas and its 'friendship mediator' table! It's situated around 300 metres away from the famous square...
• Jenny's: When lunch, tea and dinner become once again, a sin of gluttony in Wonderland! Very well situated on the beautiful Place Saint Epvre, in the basilica's shadow, the bar...
• L'Opé: L'Opé welcomes you into a friendly atmosphere with a rapid and efficient service. Always a bar lounge atmosphere, the chef offers a 'plat du jour' (dish of the day) every day, a plate of...
• La méduse: Night owl friends, here you have one of the city's latest must visits: awesome decoration, amazing music, quality cocktails and tapas and an atmosphere of...

Which places do you recommend to go out in Nancy?

Is there life in Nancy after 8pm until the end of the night?

The responses were: There are always people in town, in winter as well as summer, bars, theatre, music for everyone, for all tastes, an atmosphere, lively places, concerts, clubs, restaurants, all prices and cinemas in the centre and on the outskirts...

During beautiful days (and therefore beautiful nights) the central terraces don't empty. The Place Stan is jam-packed!

One doesn't get bored at night in Nancy, that's for sure: The students are content. They are even known (it won't be quoted) for having the nocturnal life as a true criteria of university choice.

Without forgetting the eclectic cultural programme: among the national Opera, the symphonic and lyrical orchestra, the national choreographic centre's ballets, the Manu (national drama centre), the whole of the Poirel, the Autre Canal, the very many little theatres and other 'show' places; there is such a wide choice, you won't know where to start!

The Poirel

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The Autre Canal

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The nights in Nancy are varied, electric and sometimes, all night long!

What advice do you want to give to future Erasmus students in Nancy?

Don't hesitate to contact the student associations which welcome international students. Their members are there to help you and to accompany you during your stay.

In Nancy: ESN Nancy (Erasmus student network) [email protected] - www.esnnancy.fr