Saint-Étienne, France 🇫🇷
#345
45.440146, 4.387305
Nomad Score:
61%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Saint-Étienne is a vibrant city located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, known for its rich industrial history and modern cultural developments. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 172,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average of 80 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD, widely used banks include Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Revolut, N26, and local banks are accessible. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local agencies, and student housing. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local services provide ample short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel La Ferme de la Basse is a popular choice. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | La Giraffe, a modern coworking space located in the heart of the city. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Le Café des Arts offers a cozy atmosphere with good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups at La Giraffe, often host tech and entrepreneurship events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Saint-Étienne International Club organizes monthly meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available in Saint-Étienne. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Vélivert offers bicycle rentals throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is at Lac de Vert, about 1 hour away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air France operates regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France, Ryanair, and easyJet service the nearby Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Accessible via A72 and A47 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Gare de Saint-Étienne-Châteaucreux is the main train station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public transport passes are available for trams and buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services operate to Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, and Grenoble. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | CHU de Saint-Étienne is the main public hospital. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Lyon offers various classes in the area. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit Saint-Étienne provides affordable fitness memberships. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Automatique Aloha is a reliable laundromat. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo operate in the city. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Pâté en Croûte', a local meat pie. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Le Bistronome serves great vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pâtisserie Puy et Loire is known for its delicious pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Saint-Étienne Market offers fresh produce and local goods at fair prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon France operates, alongside local e-shops. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Frichti and Carrefour offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | La Place de l'Hotel de Ville is the main nightlife area. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie de la Loire offers local beer tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Le Rouge et le Blanc offers extensive wine selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food markets open on weekends with local cuisine. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizzeria da Marco is favored for its authentic Italian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Cité du Design and football stadium Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Musée d'Art et d'Industrie is noteworthy for its exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Saint-Étienne's old town features numerous architectural gems. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Saint-Étienne Cathedral is a magnificent Gothic structure. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The International Design Biennale occurs every other year. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Cité du Design area is a hub for cultural activities. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Théâtre de la Manufacture is a central performance venue. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Weekly markets at Place Jean Jaurès. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | L'Embarcadère is a venue for live music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Certain areas in the city celebrate vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes are offered at Le Cordon Bleu. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Flandres showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The ancien Hôtel de Ville showcases beautiful architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Saint-Étienne is known for its historical contributions to industry. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parc de l'Europe offers green spaces and walking paths. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat is accessible for hiking and nature. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Numerous trails can be accessed near the city center. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mont Revard offers stunning views over the region. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lac de Paladru is a great place for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in Parc de l'Europe allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Colissimo and Chronopost offer reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Saint-Étienne has several electronic repair shops like Fnac. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Many community centers have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Alliance Française offers French classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Médiathèque de la Ville de Saint-Étienne is a great study spot. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Centre Social de Montreynaud hosts various cultural activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Geek Store offers a space for video gaming enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Saint-Étienne offers gambling and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €84,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €138,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 20% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are strict rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 5% standard rate. |