Experience in Nantes, France by Léo

What is it like to live in Nantes? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I would warmly recommend to experiment the Nantes's life. It's a really cultural city, which gathers arts, architecture, history, technology and curiosity. There are clearly open minded people and the youth in particular is easy-going. It's a very comfortable city to live in.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Nantes?

Lots of bars, parties, an amazing night life and a lot of activities to do, either if you're interested in sport, culture, nature etc. The amount of student is quite huge!

How much does it cost to live in Nantes?

I would say in the average, it may be expensive to find an accommodation in the city centre, but most of the time it's affordable. Shopping is, as always, quite expensive in the centre as well, but way cheaper in the big stores in peripheral areas.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Nantes? Is there any advice you can give?

No specific advices, but being aware of the good opportunities, you may found the best apartment of your life in the centre for an affordable price if you search well!

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food isn't that specific, however the very close Brittany, which has its specific food culture, brings us a part of its recipes, as crepes and seafood for instance.

But as any other big city you can find any kind of restaurants from all over the world!

The area also produces a lot of fresh vegetable, as the "Mache salad", and a nice diversity of other vegetables. And we have, of course, the "LU Biscuit", a very simple biscuit which carries a nice history about Nantes.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Nantes?

The castle, the Lu Tower, the old town, the Erdre river banks, the Versailles island, the rehabilitated part of the Nantes's island where one find lots of cool bars, galeries, wide spaces to chill out when the weather allows it, and the very specific "Galerie des Machines" which is clearly the most astonishing part of this area. If you cross the river Loire you can also visit Trentemoult, a former fisher village, nowadays it's really cosy and a great place to have seafood or a beer at the sunset near the river.

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Is it good to eat out in Nantes? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes it is, the diversity of restaurants is remarkable, and a few addresses are nice to try. The Asian restaurants in the quarter Bouffay, also the old town is quite good.

Is the nightlife good in Nantes? Where is good to go?

The very end of Nantes's island is one of the best spots to party. Several clubs and bars stand there with different kinds of music. The old town and its pubs and clubs are nice as well. There is also a few very good festivals.

What advice would you give future students heading to Nantes?

Nantes is a shy city, but if you take a closer look, it reveals its culture and charming atmosphere, which makes Nantes one of the best city to live in France. Be curious and enjoy!