Other Services and Amenities
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Barrière (located in nearby Saint-Herblain)
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (main office at Place Bretagne), Relais Colis shops
- Tech Repair Services
- Smain (Rue des Halles) for iPhone and laptop repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public tables at Place de la Petite-Hollande
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française Nantes (30 passage de la Châtelaine)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque Jacques Demy (Near Quai de la Fosse)
- Community Centers
- CSC Accoord (Multiple locations across neighborhoods)
- Gaming Lounges
- Le Meltdown (Bar Gaming) - 15 Rue de l'Héronnière
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,800 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €144,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €105,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,400 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €220,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €160,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,100 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €307,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €217,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard French rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat tax/Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for French residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus potential high-income surcharge)
- VAT
- 20% (Standard French rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under French Tax Code Art. 209 B
- Property Tax
- Yes (Taxe Foncière), varies by commune and property size
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (Notaires' fees and registration duties)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific 0% nomad visa; 'Auto-entrepreneur' scheme is common for freelancers
Transportation
- Highway Access
- A11 (to Paris), A83 (to Bordeaux), and N165 (to Vannes/Brest)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Nantes (North and South access points)
- Public Transport Passes
- Naolib monthly pass (approx. €58); daily pass approx. €6.00
- Regional Travel
- TER Pays de la Loire trains to Angers (40 min) and Rennes (1h 15m)
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Heetch, and Bolt are the primary ride-sharing options
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Naolib (formerly Bicloo) bike sharing; e-scooters by Pony and Tier
- Best Beach Nearby
- Pornic or Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (50-60 mins by TER train or car)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air France (Hop!) via Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)
- Top International Airline
- Volotea and EasyJet (major hubs in NTE) for European travel
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CHU de Nantes (Hôtel-Dieu, 1 Place Alexis-Ricordeau)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Loft (Rue de l'Héronnière); drop-in sessions approx. €18
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Neoness (Place du Commerce) or Basic-Fit (multiple locations, €25/month)
- Laundry Services
- La Laverie (Rue Maréchal Joffre); wash and dry approx. €8-10
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Deliveroo are the dominant services
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Galette complète (savory buckwheat crepe) and Gâteau Nantais
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Bad Hunter (1 Allée de la Maison Rouge) - creative plant-based food
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Maison Larnicol (Kouign-amann) and Vincent Guerlais (chocolatier)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché de Talensac (superb local produce, daily except Monday)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr, Cdiscount, and Fnac.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Livré chez vous and Monoprix via Deliveroo
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Hangar à Bananes (Île de Nantes) for late-night clubs and bars
- Local Brewery
- Little Atlantique Brewery (Bas-Chantenay area)
- Wine Bars
- Le Vin de Bohême (near Graslin) specializing in Muscadet
- Street Food Stalls
- Magmaa Food Hall (Île de Nantes) featuring diverse international stalls
- Popular International Cuisine
- Song (Asian fusion) and Lamaccotte (modern French-International)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Les Machines de l’île (The Giant Elephant) and Château des ducs de Bretagne
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée d'Arts de Nantes (10 Rue Georges Clemenceau)
- Historical Sites
- Passage Pommeraye (19th-century shopping arcade)
- Religious Sites
- Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes
- Annual Events
- Le Voyage à Nantes (Summer arts trail), La Folle Journée (Classical music)
- Cultural Districts
- Quartier de la Création on the Île de Nantes
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre Graslin (Opera) and Lieu Unique (Contemporary art/theatre)
- Local Markets
- Brocante de Viarme (Antique market, Saturday mornings)
- Music Scene
- Stereolux (Contemporary and electronic music) at Île de Nantes
- Street Art
- The 'Green Line' (Le Voyage à Nantes) painted on sidewalks connects art
- Cooking Classes
- L'atelier des Chefs Nantes (8 Rue de la Clavurerie)
- Art Galleries
- HAB Galerie (at Hangar à Bananes) for contemporary exhibitions
- Historic Buildings
- LU Tower (former biscuit factory, now a cultural center)
- Local Heritage
- The Petit Beurre biscuit and its influence on the city's industrial past
Essentials
- City
- Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, France
- Population
- Approximately 320,000 (City), 665,000 (Metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber widely available; average 200-400 Mbps download
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR); 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD, 1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR (March 2026 estimate)
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Eau de Nantes)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile; approx. €20/month for 100GB+
- Banking for Expats
- BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Revolut, Lydia, and N26 widely used
- Accommodation
- Options include Airbnb, SeLoger (long term), and Colonies (coliving)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards/Apple Pay accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Appart'City Nantes Cité des Congrès (approx. €90/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Auberge de Jeunesse HI Nantes (La Manufacture) starting at €28/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Bouffay (Historic Center) or Graslin for architecture and restaurants
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Île de Nantes for modern vibes or Saint-Félix/Erdre for a quieter riverside feel
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- La Cantine (27 Rue La Noue Bras de Fer); day pass approx. €20
- Best Cafe for Work
- Palo Alto (31 Rue de la Juiverie) - laptop friendly with great coffee
- Networking Events
- Digital Change events and 'Nantes Digital Week' held annually in autumn
- Social Events for Expats
- Nantes International Meetup and BlaBla Language Exchange at various bars
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Parc de Procé and Jardin des Plantes (Botanical garden)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc Naturel Régional de Brière (approx. 50 mins away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Loire à Vélo' trail (Nantes to Saint-Nazaire)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Le Nid (Top of the Brittany Tower - note: check reopening status/events)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lac de Grand-Lieu (South of Nantes)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not permitted in city parks; check designated areas in Trentemoult