If anyone writes a review on travel/holidays in Africa then please drop me a note in my guestbook, I...
If anyone writes a review on travel/holidays in Africa then please drop me a note in my guestbook, I'm hoping to go there when I've taken my silly exam and get some time to myself again!xxx
Member since:04.12.2000
Reviews:57
Members who trust:47
I have been living in Nantes for 6 months now, and I thought it was about time I let you all know what it was like! Nantes is a very large but little known city in Mid-West France, which is, as cities go, absolutely stunning.
I am studying law in Nantes as part of my university course in Cardiff. One of the main reasons why I ended up here is because the town is twinned with Cardiff. This is not particularly surprising, as the two cities seem to have quite alot in common. Nantes is of a similar size to Cardiff, ie. big enough to have everything you need, but small enough to prevent the feeling of intimidation and stress that you get in huge places like London and Paris.
Although I am a student and therefore NEVER have any money, I can always find something to do here which is well within my budget, quite often even free. I will divide this opinion up into sections, as not all of it will be of interest to everyone, so you can skip the bits that bore you!
1. The University 2. Sport 3. Historical interest and art 4. Pretty bits 5. Shopping 6. The nightlife, eating and drinking 7. Getting there 8. Where to stay 9. Getting about
1. The University
As a British student, I am used to a completely different way of university life to that here in France. However, both ways have their pros and cons. The university here is very much of a 'do as you please' sort of attitude. There is absolutely no pressure on you to do any work, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on which way you look at it. There are usually about 150 people minimum in every lecture, which, by French standards, is not many, as in alot of unis there are about 500 and you have to fight for seats. However, the number of students means that the lecturers never know whether you are there or not, so if you have a hangover, then
take the day off!
The lecturers are very illusive around here, they only come in for classes, then they're gone so you literally have to hang around outside their lessons to see them. There are smaller classes for some subjects, a bit like tutorials but there are still about 30 people on average in these.
Access to computers is better than the majority of French unis, but not up to British standards. You tend to have to queue for about 20 minutes, but then you can use them for as long as you like. Access to sports facilities is somewhat better....
2. Sport
The university offers free training sessions in any sport imaginable. I have done yoga, swimming, volleyball, karate and ice-skating, and all of them are brilliant and free!
If you are not a student, access to sports facilities is equally good. The ice rink is really cheap, and you can also watch the Nantes Ice-hockey team play. There are several swimming pools, all costing around a pound entrance. One is a fun pool, but slides are all very tame kiddies ones, this is at 'Petit Port', attached to the ice rink and bowling alley. There are also two 50 metre pools at Leo le Grande near the centre of town, again entry is just over a pound. Stcking with the watersports theme, you can hire canoes for about three ponds an hour and go up the river, which is really relaxing yet still quite tiring! For those keen on watching football or rugby, the Nantes Atlantique football team is apparrently very good and cheap to watch. There are also several rugby clubs in the town, who you will come across in the evenings begging you to go and watch them!
3. Historical interest and Art
The Chateau in the centre of town is absolutely lovely, you can go inside to look at the exhibition or just have a picnic in the grounds when the sun is out. The Cathedral is equally stunning, it's free to look around, although I usually feel sorry for the beggar outside and give him the last of my change. The town itself also has many classicly french looking old buildings, you just have to wander around to find them.
There are a couple of art galleries in town, one of which is near the station, the other closer to town. You'll get information on the locations of anything you want to see from the FNAC (glorified tourist information), or from the hotel or campsite you stay in.
4. Pretty bits
The river Erdre runs through Nantes, and the Loire is on the outskirts. You can hire canoes or electric powered boats to explore, or go on an organised trip. The river is so pretty, and gets prettier as you go away from town towards Petit Port.
There is a Chinese water-garden type idea on an island in the river. It is accessible by bridge, and is so pretty. You can feed bread to the fish in a pond and the fish are massive and really pretty. There are also loads of pretty waterfalls and streams and little paths to explore.
Near the train station is an open air botanical gardens, which is one of the most gorgeous, relaxing places I've ever been. There are thousands of plants aswell as terrapins, deer and birds. The place has a spooky silence about it, because even the children sense that being noisy would spoil the beauty of the place.
5. Shopping
The town is quite nice for shopping. There are loads of lovely little boutiques and chocolatiers, aswell as big department stores like C & A, Marks and Spencer and Galleries Lafayette. The latter is massive, and can be rather pricey, but the staff are friendly and tend to speak english, and it would definately be a shame to miss the place if you are an avid shopper!
For food shopping, and anything else for that matter, you will find everything you want and alot you don't at the hypermarket Leclerc. This is a way out of town, but easily accessible by tram.
There are several markets selling all sorts of things; food, wine, toys, clothes, fake merchandise, etc. in various parts of town. The only thing I would advise is that if you are squeemish or vegetarian like me, avoid the meat section. Rabbits, kittens, chickens etc. are sold crammed into tiny boxes still alive, and it's so cruel it makes me want to burst into tears every time I see it.
6. The Nightlife, eating and drinking.
The nightlife in Nantes is very different to that at home. The French make eating the main part of their evening. For this reason, I won't concentrate too much on restaurants, as there are hundreds all over the place and they are all amazing. Pizza is a hundred times better than in the UK, and they give you chilly oil if you want it. Yum! I reccommend Tapalocas, which is near the Chateau for a novel experience. It's the only place where you can have as many main dishes and as many desserts as you like, as they are all small dishes. I usually go for 3 main courses and 2 desserts, but you may need more, especially more dessert!
There are loads of cafés, where you can sit outside in the summer, which is lovely, especially near the chateau and the river. Drinks are, unfortunately incredibly expensive, especially at the weekend. The best bet is to go for a bottle of wine, as this is cheaper than at home. Beer is weak and pricey, and if you need a pint, you have to go to one of the Irish pubs and be charged nearly three quid. Ouch!
As for night clubs, my advice is don't bother. Nobody goes to them before about 1am, and then they get packed with sweaty slimy frogs! It's about a fiver to get in at the very least, and they tend to be just a shell of a room, maybe a warehouse, with one bar in the corner. Personally, my idea of a good night in Nantes is a meal and a few bottles of wine at the Tapas or a Pizzeria.
7. Getting there
Thats easy! You can either fly with British Airways or Air France form Gatwick to Nantes. It costs about a hundred and ten pounds return, and from Nantes airport, there is a bus into town which generally leaves at convenient times to connect with flights. You can also take the Eurostar, but it takes longer and you have to change in Paris or Lille, which would be a hassle if you don't speak French. This is what I do though, as it's only ninety quid if you book it in France, compared to a hundred and ten if you book from home.
8. Where to stay
There are loads of hotels within short walking distance of the train station and the town. This is quite a seedy area, but I've never had any hassle there and hotels are only about twenty five pounds per room per night whether the room is single or double. I have stayed in a few, and they are all of pretty good standard and there's no need to book, they always have rooms available. I'm not sure about posh hotels being a student, but they say the Ibis is pretty good.
There is also a campsite at Petit Port, which is supposed to be quite cheap for camping, or you can have a static caravan for 160 pounds a month, I'm not sure how much it would be per week.
9. Getting about
This is where the place really comes into it's own. There are 3 tramlines in the city, which between them take you to within walking distance of anywhere you want to go. If you want to go further afield, there are buses to nearby areas, and a regular, on time train service to just about anywhere in France. To use the buses and trams, you can buy one hour, 24 hour, one week or one month passes. These are really cheap (a 24 hour pass is cheaper than a single bus fare of about 10 miles at home). They allow you to go anywhere on the trams or buses for the length of time the ticket specifies. Trams and buses run regularly (every 5-30 minutes), from 5am to 12.30am. Outside of these times, you can get a taxi, but these are very expensive so I tend to walk.
Wow, that's the longest essay I've written in ages! I'd recommend the place, although right now I'd rather be at home because I miss my boyfrien and my family and my cats. And my teddies. Sob sob.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Hotel - Lotissement, Centre d'Activities du Pin, Beaucouze, 49070 Angers, Centre d'activité du Pin, 49070 Beaucouzé, Pays de la Loire, France - 2 Stars - 42 Rooms
I am a french man living in Nantes and well I am quite pleased to read such an opnion about Nantes. I know Paris, Lyon, some city in the south of France .. but NANTSE is the best place to live and to work !
Suse 22.05.2001 16:08
Great op - I know just how you feel: I spent my year abroad in Clermont-Ferrand and although I had a wicked time homesickness was never far away...believe me though, after you get back you;ll spend all your time wishing you were back there for the cafes and the markets...and the boulangerie!
mrpaella 02.05.2001 22:10
Brilliantly described op. The only places I have visited in France are Paris and Disneyland Paris. I would like to visit other places but my French dates back to o level days 23 years ago....Paul
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Great Wine, Great Castles, Great People.....those are kick a** advantages Disadvantages: It's not really easy to access via Train, you really do need to have a Car to fully appreciate it
i_heart_elo 05.03.2009 (05.03.2009)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Loire Valley (France)
Mar 8th, 2001
very helpful by (94%):
helpful by (6%):
