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Guide to Nantes, France
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Nantes
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NantesNantes, France, once of the country's chief port cities, is now a bustling cosmopolitan center where IT, finance, and trade dominate. Newbies to the city will delight in its plentiful supply of shops, eateries, cafes, and modern architecture - those looking to get more deeply immersed in the nation's nautical past will do better to visit nearby Saint-Nazaire. Nantes' economy has been booming for quite some time, and while it was noticeably affected by the dot-com bubble burst, it has since recovered and techies are reserving commercial space faster than it becomes available. For this reason Nantes may seem a bit too hyperactive for some, though after a brief adjustment period, you'll fit in with the bustling crowd like a native. As the unofficial capital of France's western region, Nantes does not disappoint with its wide variety of cultural and scenic attractions. Waterside promenades are too good to pass up, and a good camera is a must for unplanned jaunts outside the city limits. Nantes looks absolutely wonderful heading into the start of the 21st century, but don't wait for the years to progress and the hotels to fill. Book your flight to Nantes today!
When to go:
Because Nantes sits on the coast of France, it receives much more wind and rain than its counterparts in the east. This can be taken in both positive and negative fashions. On a positive note, the frequent gusts provide a much-needed respite from the summer heat which blankets central Europe every year. An increase in rainfall means you'll see the botanic gardens at their brightest for extended periods, but ruined vacation plans may be in the works as a result of more grey days. Your best option is to visit during spring while the forecasts prove to be regularly optimistic. If worse come to worst, you'll be stuck indoors in the most romance-ridden country in the world. Taking one's significant other along on the trip is a viable precaution.
Getting there and around:
Nantes-Atlantique Airport has quite a way to go before it measures up to be a major European destination, but the terminal serves its travelers well, and connections to/from fellow continental locales are many. At 12km, the airport is fairly close to the city, and taking a bus into town is not a disillusioning prospect by any means. Taxis will make it a more comfortable and quicker ride, but in this case, the benefits are outweighed by the cost. If you're traveling to Nantes during the off-seasons (spring, autumn, winter), you may want to consider a car rental. Packages are not extravagantly expensive, and when the urge to explore the French countryside arises, you are free to roam as you feel fit.
Attractions:
One of Nantes' more revered sites, the Cathedrale St Pierre et St Paul has had quite an interesting past to show for. The project was undertaking roughly in the middle of the 15th century, but was not entirely completed until the late 19th century. One would presume that such an expansive time would lead to vast differences in portions of the ensemble, but as it stands today, it's difficult to tell one piece from another unless given guidelines by which to recognize them. The two towers dominating the Cathedral are its main attractions, as are the beautiful stained-glass windows adorning its chapels. Another beautiful, historic footnote on the French coast is the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, first constructed in the 10th century, and later rebuilt in the 15th after its destruction. The Chateau also has grand towers to accompany its frame and a museum to house its medieval collections is underway.
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