Experience in Nantes, France by Marianne

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

It's really nice, I rated transport 3 because the good point is that all the city is covered but the negative one is that there is a lot of strikes, but it's everywhere like that in France anyway :).
The center is really cute, you have a lot of restaurants, a lot of places to have fun at night (the most known by students is the "Hangar à bananes" close to the "anneaux de Nantes" on the Ile de Nantes). I don't think prices are really expensive.

IF I can give an advice : began to look for an accomodation in May/June if you want to have something in September, it becomes harder and harder to find.

Nantes is a really beautiful city with parks, the Loire, etc.

What is the student lifestyle like in Nantes?

People are really nice, students as well as professors. Usually you have buses or tram that bring you just in front of your university.
The bad thing is that there isn't a lot of places, I think it's like that everywhere but the governements didn't do anything to prepare the infrastructure of the higher education for the babyboomers and nowwe are too many.
Moreover, a point that is extremely important : if you study at Nantes (not for the science) you'll more likely be in a strike, in a "blocus" because Universities are a place where students can manifest without being assaulted by the police (normally). But it is not Nantes,it's the France, if you want to live in France you have to get used to see people in the street.

How much does it cost to live in Nantes?

I never lived anywhere else so I don't really know, but I wouldn't say that this is expensive.

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

YES
You have to began in May, go to the website "leboncoin" contact agencies, if you began in July you'll have small and expensive places.

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

If you go in Nantes yiu have to try "Naan délice" it is delicious!

What places would you recommend visiting in Nantes?

The basilique Saint Nicolas in the center is really pretty, the Tour de Nantes from which you can see all the city, the Isle of Nantes and the elephant, the Japenese park in the summer at the tram stop Saint Mihiel or Michelet I don't remember on the line 2, the Jardin des plantes next to the gare, etc

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

The Wharehouse, the Hangar à bananes, ad bars

What advice would you give future students heading to Nantes?

people are really nice so do not hesitate to go on Facebook on the group "étudiants de Nantes" (we are all in this group) and ask your questions, say you are new etc people will answer you and help you :)
Don't be scared, you will get used to the transport, the people, the rythm, you will love Nantes I can assure you.
Moreover, if you take the transport upload the app "Tan" it is the app for the tram and buses, it will highly help you !
Moreover times 2 : on Facebook there are groups for your year and formation and this is really helpful to see who is in your class and if ypu have any questions. for example I was in my second year at the language faculty and my group was L2 LEA (L2 for the year and LEA because it is the name of my formation)