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Nantes

Nantes, located on the Loire River in the western region of France, is a charming city renowned for its rich history and culture. It is popularly known for the iconic Château des ducs de Bretagne - a grand fortress and museum, and the grand gothic-style Nantes Cathedral. The city's distinctive culture is underpinned by numerous art galleries, an active music scene, and the audacious Machines of the Island arts project which includes a grand mechanical elephant. Coupled with its vibrant café culture, inspiring local cuisine, and a love for festivals, Nantes is a city that seamlessly blends the historical with the contemporary, making it a must-visit destination.

3.9 /5

Based on our research

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Safety:Very safe

Nantes is generally quite safe for solo female travelers. The locals are friendly and the city has low crime rates, particularly in relation to violent or serious crime. However, like any large city, there can be occasional petty crimes like pick pocketing, especially in crowded, touristy areas or late at night. It's always important to be street smart - keep your belongings close, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid isolated areas at night.

Transport:Easy

Navigating around Nantes can be quite straightforward due to its well-established public transit system. Cycling is also prevalent in the city, with numerous bike rental options. The city center is pedestrian-friendly, and many significant monuments and attractions are within walking distance from each other. However, understanding local language (French) may be beneficial while using public transportation and in case of requiring directions.

Things to do:Interesting

Nantes is an unquestionably enticing city that offers a mixture of historical and contemporary experiences. Its picturesque streets, charming neighborhoods, and beautiful riverside spots are both rich in culture and exciting to explore. You can visit the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, a lovely ode to the city's history, or go to Les Machines de l'île, an innovative project with interactive mechanical creatures. The city also boasts engaging museums, such as the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle or the Musée d'arts de Nantes, which offer a wide variety of art and history. Nantes has an excellent culinary scene, with numerous opportunities to try local delicacies. It's very walkable, with an excellent transportation system for further afield exploration. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the beautiful parks like Jardin des Plantes. Overall, Nantes provides a unique blend of old and new that is likely to captivate any solo female traveler.

Food:Above average

The gastronomy scene in Nantes is incredibly rich and diverse offering a range of cuisine from traditional French dishes to international flavors. Local produce, fresh seafood, and Brittany's specialties are something not to be missed. However, depending upon your personal food preferences, you might find some dishes too adventurous to your liking. In spite of that, there's still a wide variety of eateries from local markets, street food to upscale dining that caters to different tastes and budgets.

Budget:Moderate

Nantes offers a reasonable balance between cost and value. The price for accommodation, meals, and transportation is moderate compared to other popular French cities. However, it's definitely cheaper than Paris or Nice. Free attractions such as Musée d'Art de Nantes and walking around the city's scenic locations also help in budget optimization. There is also a variety of food options from affordable to more upscale, making it adaptable to different budgets. It's a mid-range budget destination.

Solo travel experience

I love nantes! It's great for 2-3 days visit. The natural history museum is a must do, as well as walking the "green line" which takes you all around the city. A lot of the activities are pretty cheap or free (museums or walking around). You can visit Trentemoult within Nantes, beautiful buildings and quiet atmosphere. Nantes is not the cheapest, but you can definitely find good deals. I can't speak on accomodation as I was staying with a friend.

Posted: April 29, 2024

Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5

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Hasna

United Kingdom

Solo travel experience

In Juin I have done a bike trip from Paris to Nantes with friends and then we split. I was at Nantes alone and it is a lovely student town with loads to do, restaurant, gigs, outside concert - especially in summer - the Machine's island ( l'ile aux machines ) which is amazing with a huge mechanical elephant who walks and spreads water on people around ! I will definitely recommend it to visit, however at night when it is getting late ( 3/4 am ) I will stay close to the center when you are not too familiar to the town.

Posted: March 30, 2024

Things to do: 4/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 3/5

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Nantes is a lovely little city, but the nights can be dangerous So I don’t recommend walking alone on the road at night, especially in certain areas of île de Nantes. It’s not safe. For the museum, Musée d’art de Nantes (Nantes Museum of Fine Arts) is open every Thursday till 21:00 and is free. Château des ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) is also worth to visit About the transportation, tramway and buses are free on weekends. I hope this information helps!

Posted: October 28, 2023

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Meet local women in Nantes who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.

Gabrielle

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Hey, it’s me Gabrielle :) I am an architecture student traveling through Italy for the end of my Erasmus, that I did in Rome this semester. I am going to Naples, Florence and Venice, and I thought it could be a very enriching experience to meet locals there. I am a rather calm person who loves to discover new cultures and knowledges, meet new people is a good way to do it I think! Piacere di conocerti :)

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Virginie

About Me

Je marche vers compostelle

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Stay with local women in Nantes who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.

Vanessa

Nantes

Can host for:

2 days

About me

Hey!, I'm Vanessa and I'm interested in nature, van life, culture, dancing, live music, trekking and food & cuisine

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Cynthia

Nantes

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Jeune française tout juste diplômée en ostéopathie, j’adore découvrir le monde en partant à l’aventure et faire la rencontre de nouvelles personnes ! J’adore les animaux, faire du sport et sortir avec mes amis ☺️

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