FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Nantes

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Nantes each year. The main ones are listed below.

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.

Since 1997, the Fête de la Bretagne attracts 400,000 people each year, with more than 200 different events (concerts, exhibitions, shows, treks, picnics, conferences and strolls).

Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets, parks and at various venues across Nantes.

This holiday celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution. It plays as a symbol of the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Nantes, a huge fireworks display is set off from the island in the centre of the city and is best viewed from the Quai de la Fosse or the Pont Anne de Bretagne. There are also many dance parties open to everyone held at various venues throughout the city.

This celebration, still very popular in Nantes, is marked by the faithful with religious processions and ceremonies through the streets.

The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public, such as castles and private collections. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!

On this day, French citizens gather at war memorials to commemorate the signing of the 1918 Armistice officially bringing an end to the First World War.

On the night of December 31^st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Nantes, with families and friends celebrating the new year.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Nantes

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	3/37	9/48	86/3.4	Not the best period to go
February	3/37	10/50	70/2.8	Not the best period to go
March	5/41	13/55	70/2.8	Not the best period to go
April	6/43	15/59	50/2.0	Not the best period to go
May	10/50	20/68	64/2.5	Good period to go
June	13/55	23/73	45/1.8	Good period to go
July	14/57	25/77	46/1.8	Good period to go
August	14/57	25/77	45/1.8	Good period to go
September	12/54	22/72	62/2.4	Good period to go
October	10/50	18/64	79/3.1	Not the best period to go
November	6/43	12/54	87/3.4	Not the best period to go
December	3/37	9/48	84/3.3	Not the best period to go

Nantes-Atlantique Airport

The Nantes-Atlantique Airport is located just outside the city's ring road, at the Porte de Grand Lieu, 10 minutes from the city centre.

• One terminal

• By car
  • Access via the ring road by exiting through Porte Grand-Lieu or Bourguenais (rue de l'Aviation).
  • There are several parking facilities:
    • Long-term parking (more than 5 days) at P0 Ouest, P0 Est, P0 Nord and P1 Sud.
    • Short-term parking (less than 5 days) at P2, P2 Est, P3 Nord, P3 Ouest.
  • Several car rental companies have counters in a separate building, just outside the terminal.
• By shuttle bus
  • La Navette Aéroport is a shuttle bus service connecting the airport with central Nantes, with departures every 20 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes from 6:20 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. on Sunday (EUR 9 each way).
• By bus
  • Bus line 98 station is located about 100 metres from the airport and connects it with the city centre.
• By taxi
  • A taxi rank is located just outside the terminal opposite Hall 3. The fare to the city centre is about EUR 30 to EUR 35.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, parking valet and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)2 40 84 80 00
• Website: https://www.nantes.aeroport.fr/en/homepage
• Customers with a Paris connexion and an Air France flight number (either from Roissy or Orly) must visit the TGV AIR desk at the Nantes train station 24 hours to 20 minutes before departure: train tickets will be issued to them upon presentation of a valid airplane ticket. For all necessary information, please visit https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/resainfovol/avion_train/reservation_avion_train_tgvair_airfrance.htm
• The Nantes train station is located at 27 boulevard de Stalingrad, 44041 Nantes. It is open every day from 4:20 a.m. to 11:15 p.m.:
• • Access via public transportation: tramway (line 1), intercity buses (lines 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13) and city buses (lines C2, C3 and C5).
  • Access via private transportation: drop off area, self-service car sharing, rental car companies, taxis, parking lots, bike rentals.
• For all necessary information about the TGV AIR desk, please visit https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/fr/gare/frnte/nantes/services/guichets-ventes-gare-nord

GETTING AROUND Nantes

Nantes is a city very well served by its public transport system. Furthermore, in the interest of improving quality of life for its residents, a number of routes reserved for pedestrians and cyclists are available. Although the historic centre of Nantes can still be accessed by car, traffic is limited to residents and deliveries.

By tram

Nantes' trams are certainly an ideal way to get around the city. There are three lines (1, 2 and 3) with 83 stations. In all, the network operates over 44 kilometres (27 miles) of track. A single ticket costs EUR 1.70. For further information about the public transportation system in Nantes, please visit the https://www.tan.fr/ website.

By bus

Some 60 bus lines run throughout Nantes and its greater metropolitan area.

A single ticket costs EUR 1.70 (EUR 2 when you buy it from the driver) and is valid for 1 hour on the entire network. A 1-day ticket is also available, for EUR 5.80.

Useful tip: A 1-day group ticket is also offered, allowing unlimited travel for up to four people over the entire network for 24 hours (or on a consecutive Saturday and Sunday) for EUR 10! For further information about the public transportation system in Nantes, please visit the https://www.tan.fr/ website.

By car

It is relatively easy to get around the city by car, with the exception of the historic centre, where many of the thoroughfares are restricted to pedestrian traffic or bicycles. It is also difficult to find parking in the immediate vicinity of the historic centre.

Useful tip : Nantes has a public car-sharing system, called “Marguerite” (https://www.imarguerite.com/). In all, about 60 cars are available 24/7 at 43 stations. The vehicles are rented by the hour and parking is free. Prices: EUR 10 per hour, plus EUR 0.50 per kilometre.

By taxi

Nearly 180 taxicabs serve Nantes, its metropolitan area and the airport.

By bicycle

Exploring the city by bicycle is a genuine pleasure. Nantes offers more than 470 kilometres (292 miles) of cycling paths, covering the entire metropolitan area.

Useful tip: Bicloo, Nantes' public bike-sharing system, has 120 stations in the city centre (about one every 300 metres), with more than 1,230 bicycles. Without a pass, there a rental fee each time you use the network. EUR 0.75 for the first 30 minutes, then EUR 0.50 for the next 30 minutes, EUR 1 for extra 30 minutes and EUR 2 for every 30-minute cycle beyond that point. For further information, please visit https://www.bicloo.nantesmetropole.fr/en/home

On foot

Walking is also an excellent way to get around Nantes. Many public spaces in the city centre, such as the Île Feydeau and the Cours des 50 Otages, have been redesigned to make them pedestrian-friendly.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Nantes, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: 9 rue des États, 44000 Nantes
• Telephone: +33 (0) 8 92 464 044 (local call, EUR 0,35/min)
• Website: https://www.nantes-tourisme.com/en

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Nantes counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Tap water is safe to drink in Nantes.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+33

+ phone number (without 0)

0 : 00
of time difference with
Paris

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (some branches stay open until 6 p.m.)

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Nantes like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.