If you are in western France this December, then head for Nantes(44 Loire Atlantique, Pays de la Loire) with its Christmas Market 23 November – 30 December 2023
The Nantes Marché de Noëlis the largest in western France with more than 120 stalls selling gifts, food and crafts including gingerbread and mulled wine! There are other Christmas entertainments across Nantes including activitities for Children.
The eclecticism of its landscapes and architecture, its dynamism and the diversity of its cultural events, along with the quality of the environment which won it the label of European Green Capital, have regularly placed Nantes at the top of the best cities to live in.
Nantes, a city where art is everywhere
Nantes stands out on the national and European stage through its exemplary cultural policy. The city that was home to Jules Verne, and that inspired the Surrealists and Jacques Demy, continues to feed the dreams of contemporary artists, like the international street theatre company Royal de Luxe, Dominique A, Madeon, and Christine and the Queens, all of whom find their natural inspiration here.
Especially in Nantes, where one can drift down a street from a public work of art to a remarkable example of the city’s architectural heritage, or from artist-revamped shop signs to contemporary buildings. All you have to do is follow the green line on the ground to discover the essential spots along this cultural itinerary. Every summer, this circuit is revived and expanded with temporary or definitive public art installations.
As a city filled with art and history, Nantes possesses: 1 national theatre, 36 theatres and concert venues, including the Zénith Nantes Métropole, the only Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery in France, a 20-meter tall ocean-themed Carrousel des Mondes Marins, 14 museums, the Estuaire Nantes, Saint-Nazaire open-air museum, as well as a dozen festivals (La Folle Journée, Les Rendez-vous de l’Erdre, Scopitone, le Festival des 3 continents…) and more. It goes without say that Nantes is alive with art and culture!
Nantes, a city in constant expansion
As the 6th largest city in France, the metropolitan region of Nantes consists of 24 municipalities spread over 523 km2 (201 sq. miles) and 609 000 inhabitants. It is number two in the country in terms of job growth, and was voted to head Eurocities, a network working to defend the interests of urban agglomerations before Europe’s ruling bodies
Nantes, green capital
With 57m2 (614 sq. feet) of greenery per inhabitant, Nantes has over 100 parks and gardens. Real stretches of nature, right downtown! And, why not see the city by bike? Whether you’re using the protected itineraries or refurbished pathways along the Loire, any number of rides await you! www.nantes-tourisme.com
