Nantes, France 🇫🇷
#337
47.218637, -1.554136
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Nantes is a vibrant city located in western France, known for its rich history, cultural scene, and innovative spirit. |
👥 Population | Approx. 320,000 |
💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 100 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. |
🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Providers include Orange, SFR, and Bouygues, with prepaid options available. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and online services like N26. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options range from Airbnb and local real estate agencies to platforms like Spotahome. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short-term stays. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel La Flèche d'Or and Le Sphinx offer budget accommodations. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | L'Atelier provides a great environment for remote work. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Noisette is known for its cozy atmosphere and good coffee. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetups are organized regularly through platforms like Meetup.com. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like Nantes International and Expats in Nantes organize regular meetups. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is widely used in Nantes. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike rental services like Bicloo and electric scooters are popular. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | La Baule Beach is approximately 1 hour away by train. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | EasyJet and Air France operate regional flights. |
✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and KLM connect Nantes to major international destinations. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Nantes is well connected by the A11 and A83 highways. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Nantes Railway Station (Gare de Nantes) is the main transit hub. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | TAN offers various passes including a monthly pass for around €40. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Alternatives include TER trains and long-distance bus services. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | CHU Nantes is the primary healthcare facility. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Zanaka and Center Yoga offer excellent yoga classes. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Park and BasicFit provide good gym facilities. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Automatic is a popular laundromat. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and UberEats operate in the city. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the traditional dish 'Cakes de Nantes'. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like La Cuisine de Romain offer healthy vegetarian options. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | La Maison de la Crêpe is famous for its sweet and savory crêpes. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Marché de Talensac is a great local food market. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Fnac and Cdiscount are popular online shopping options. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Au Bonheur des Dames and Amazon Prime Pantry offer grocery delivery. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Bouffay district is known for its vibrant nightlife. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie de la Loire produces local craft beers. |
🍷 Wine Bars | La Vinothèque offers a great selection of French wines. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Le Nid in the Les Machines de l'île area features various street food options. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Casa de la Salsa offer a taste of Latin cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Château des Ducs de Bretagne and Les Machines de l'île are iconic symbols of Nantes. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle and Le Lieu Unique host various art exhibits. |
🏰 Historical Sites | The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is a key historical site. |
🕍 Religious Sites | The Sainte-Croix Church is a notable place of worship. |
🎉 Annual Events | The Nantes Jazz Festival is a highlight every year. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | Graslin and Bouffay area are known for their cultural ambiance. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Le Théâtre Graslin hosts various performances throughout the year. |
🛍️ Local Markets | Marché de Talensac is a bustling local market worth visiting. |
🎼 Music Scene | Nantes has a vibrant music scene, particularly in genres like rock and electronic. |
🎨 Street Art | The Ile de Nantes area is famous for its urban art. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Ateliers des Chefs offer various cooking classes in French cuisine. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Le 3e Œil and La Galerie provide platforms for local artists. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Visit the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) for its beautiful architecture. |
🏴 Local Heritage | The tradition of shipbuilding is a significant part of Nantes' heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Nantais Marshes and the banks of the Loire River offer scenic nature walks. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parc Naturel Régional de Brière is a short drive away. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Loire à Vélo is a popular cycling route that goes through Nantes. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Visit Les Jardins des Plantes for beautiful landscaped gardens. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Pont de Saint-Nazaire area is ideal for birdwatching. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | The beaches at La Baule allow for bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Colissimo and Chronopost offer reliable shipping services. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech Repair and iPhone Service Nantes provide device repair services. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club de Nantes offers facilities for ping pong. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Alliance Française offers French language courses for expats. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | La Médiathèque Jacques Demy is a great place to study. |
🏘️ Community Centers | Maison de la Culture provides various cultural programs. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Lounge Nantes hosts various gaming events. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Nantes offers gaming options and entertainment. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €204,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €184,000) |
💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 26.5%. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Tax rate applied to dividend distributions is 30%. |
🏦 Tax System | French tax system operates on a worldwide income basis. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 45%. |
🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 20%. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, France has strict CFC rules. |
🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax is based on rental value. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 7.5% for property purchases. |