Experience in Nantes, France by Zoé

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

It's a really nice city with parks, pure air and many events. It's not really big, there is the old center and other spots further, the sea is close. There is a wind of innovation and originality with auto-entrepreneurs, meetings, self development events.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Nantes?

There is a lot of clubs and Thursdays are like students night. There are university clubs and websites like meetup or "onvasortir" for activities and upcoming events.

How much does it cost to live in Nantes?

Not much, a great lower than Paris, you've got to search for low prices and supermarkets but I think that's affordable.

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

You can find accommodation paying less than 300€ per month. There are a lot of ads in the university, for example, or on a local newspaper.

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

It's really diverse, there are many crêperies (in the Bouffay district) and food from the whole world, along with well-known food restaurant chains. There are also more and more vegetarian and vegan places and healthy spots.

What places would you recommend visiting in Nantes?

• The Machines de l'île, a wooden walking elephant (but don't do the tour on its back, it's too expensive and not worth it).



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• Le nid (the nest), a panoramic view of the city on top of the Tour Bretagne, the highest building of the city.



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• The castle and the history museum.
• The art museum which just opened again.
• Passage Pommeraye, a beautiful pathway.



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• Jardin des Plantes (in front of the train station) and île de Versailles, wonderful parcs.



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• Trentemoult, reachable with a Navibus, a place with colored houses.

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

Yeah, there are often 10 euros menus, in crêperies, bagel corners, pizzerias, little restaurants.

Macarons are great in the Passage Pommeraye, and the gâteaux nantais are a delicious speciality. The Merveilleux by Fred from Lille are great too.

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

Yes, there are different clubs and often special nights, the LC, Colors are good, for about 5 euros. There are also dancing cafés for instance along the Hangar à Bananes district.

What advice would you give future students heading to Nantes?

Don't fear to go talk to people, they are kind of shy but they'd love it.