Nantes
France
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Located on the Loire River, Nantes—France’s sixth largest city—has all the amenities of a big city: world-class museums, breathtaking cathedrals, a great public transportation system, and even its own château. But the best thing about Nantes for study abroad? It’s small enough to feel like home.
Before long, you’re blending in with local residents and university students, and saying “bonjour” to the shop keepers you pass on your way to class every day. This livable, accessible, and exciting city was the official EU 2013 Green Capital. It’s something to celebrate when you study abroad in Nantes and can get around easily on the bus, tram, or by foot.
Immerse yourself in French language and culture in this city full of history and vibrant city life. You won’t want to leave. Dreaming of French food, culture, and city life?
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Programs
Nantes's Top Five
Sample the Delicacies of Nantes
For instance, try the galettes de blé noir, savory buckwheat crêpes filled with eggs, cheese, and ham.
Shop the Passage Pommeraye
Named because it serves as a link between two streets, this spectacularly ornate and elaborate little shopping mall is stunning, whether you’re here to shop or just passing through.
Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne
With beautiful gardens surrounding the moat and a fascinating museum of Nantes’ history inside, this impressive castle is a must see.
Cruise Down the River
Since Nantes is right on the Loire River, a scenic boat cruise down the estuary to the nearby Atlantic Ocean is a great way to spend a few hours.
Ride the Great Elephant at Les Machines de L'Ile de Nantes
This collection of gigantic and whimsical mechanical beasts is something you’ll only find here in Nantes.
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The Latest from Nantes
An Aix-cellent Week in the South of France
A group of four friends and I spent our February break in Aix-en-Provence, a small city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region of France. Our goal: a relaxing week in a warm place with no formal itinerary. We booked an AirBnB in downtown Aix. Aix’s downtown area is about a kilometer in diameter, encircled by a major road. By the second day, we felt comfortable exploring these streets and got to know the layout pretty well.
Six Simple Pieces of Advice for a Successful Trip
Some tips we learned in Aix-en-Provence, and general travel advice for young people:
1. It is always a great idea to go to the local tourism office (if one exists) in person, because they can often provide great deals and advice on trips! If there is a website for the tourism office, that can work too. For us, it worked best to verify the bus schedules and fees in person at the tourism office.
Top 10 Study Abroad Instagram Photos from January & February 2019
Are you ready to fall head over heels for study abroad?
A Whirlwind Weekend in Normandy
This past weekend we traveled to Normandy, the northern region of France that has been a pivotal location at many points in history.
Layers: of cake, of paint, of understanding
The days, and now the weeks, continue to be filled with new discoveries, mishaps, laughter, delicious cuisine, and furious note-taking. From the morning walks to class to the IES Abroad community we have to the vulnerability in walking into a classroom as the sole American, growth and appreciation is at every step.
