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Flights from / to London City
| CityJet destination guide Nantes
What's happening September/October in Nantes If you're looking to go off the beaten track in Nantes to discover the city's hidden treasures, then you need a Greeter. The Nantes Greeters are residents of Nantes and the surrounding area who love their city and volunteer to give up their spare time to share it with visitors. The concept of Greeters was invented in New-york to allow visitors to discover the city through its inhabitants. Now numerous cities, including Houston, Paris, have their own Greeters, all complying with the International Greeters Charter on a volunteer and free-of-charge basis. Arrange your Greeter a week before your visit and be prepared to see the city through new eyes. www.greeters-nantes.com
Airport Information
Aéroport Nantes Atlantique
Website
www.nantes.aeroport.fr
General information
CCI Nantes - 44346 Bouguenais Cedex
Tel. 02 40 84 80 00 - Fax 02 40 84 82 11
Getting to Nantes
Up to 2 flights a day from London City. For the full table click here.
Distance
The airport is located 10 minutes from the city center.
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Public transport
The Tan Air Shuttle links the centre of Nantes to the Airport with a journey time of around 20 minutes. A local bus service is also available and full details can be found on the airport's website.
Taxis
Taxis are available opposite Hall 1. Rates are approximately €25-30 to the city centre.
Car parking
Five car parks are available comprising of 4000 spaces and accessible 24 hours a day.
Check in
20 minutes prior departure.
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City Guide
| Current Population: 441,000
% POP Growth: 2.5 %
City Area: 115.65 KM2
City Density: 3,815 INH/KM2
GDP Per Capita: €18,800
Dialling Code: +44
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Nantes
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RESTAURANTS
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With Friends
LA CIGALE
4 PLACE GRASLIN
TEL. 02 51 84 94 94
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A Nantes institution, no trip to the city is complete without a visit to this wonderful and atmospheric Art Déco venue opposite the opera house. Open since 1895, a whole host of celebrities and dignitaries have dined here and signed the impressive visitor books. The original tiling on the walls is stunning, although it can make it a busy and loud experience. But share a huge, tiered seafood platter and a steely local Loire white with friends, and you're guaranteed a memorable experience. It's open from 7.30am, so is also excellent for informal breakfast/coffee meetings.
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Entertaining a Client
CHRISTOPHE BONNET
6 RUE MAZAGRAN
TEL. 02 40 69 03 39
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You'll find modern French seafood, from the value €30 set lunch menu to the budget-busting discovery menu at €120. The young chef is out to prove himself as a rival to the established restaurants in Nantes-and he's succeeding.
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Closing The Deal
L'ATLANTIDE
16 QUAI ERNEST-RENAUD
TEL. 02 40 73 23 23
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Stunning views over the river from one of the best vantage points in the city is L'Atlantide's unique selling point. The food, like most in Nantes, specialises in fish but is done better here than elsewhere in the city. Alongside the Michelin-starred food there is one of the best cellars in the Loire-and a great range of cognacs.
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BARS
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Style
LE MARLOWE
1 PLACE SAINT VINCENT
TEL. 02 40 48 47 65
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The bizarre French love affair with Americana continues in this 1960s themed bar with authentic decor. The cocktails are good, but it can get busy and noisy later on.
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Relax
JOHN MCBYRNE
21 RUE PETITES ECURIES
TEL. 02 40 89 64 46
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If you want to keep up with the latest football or rugby head to John McByrne, where you can watch the final matches of the Premier League and Champions League. And the Guinness is pretty good too.
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HOTELS
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Value
HOTEL POMMERAYE
2 RUE BOILEAU
TEL. 02 40 48 78 79
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A decent two-star central hotel that isn't part of a chain? Hotel Pommeraye is cheap but has a sense of identity. Stylish, clean decor and furniture will fool you into thinking you've paid twice the price. There's Wi-fiaccess in all rooms
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Business
MERCURE NANTES CENTRAL
4 RUE DU COUEDIC
TEL. 02 51 82 10 00
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Nantes isn't blessed with grand hotels in the way that other French cities are, but this reliable four-star hotel is smack in the centre of town yet still has ample parking and all the facilities you need for a business trip. The 162 air-conditioned rooms have Wi-fiand there are 10 meeting rooms and a restaurant.
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Bespoke
HOTEL LA PÉROUSE
3 ALLEE DUQUESNE
TEL. 02 40 89 75 00
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Central and funky, with designer furniture and glass wardrobes, this is boutique styling yet it is still affordable. It's the place to stay for someone who cares about whether the Barcelona sofa in the reception is original or reproduction. Even the meeting rooms have style.
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KNOWLEDGE
Events will take place all year around the city to celebrate the 2009 Year of Astronomy, but the Jules Verne museum has an exhibition of space-themed toys during May (www.nantes.fr/julesverne). From tin toys to Tintin, indulge your inner-child for an afternoon.
Lieu Unique, or LU biscuits are one of Nantes' most celebrated exports, but the beautiful old biscuit factory is now a cultural centre and bar/restaurant (www.lelieuunique.com). There is a changing and challenging agenda of art, music and theatre events, including, on 7 May, an evening celebrating the Slow Food movement, emphasising local produce-and edible flowers...
Early summer is the perfect time to enjoy the Jardin des Plantes (www.jardins.nantes.fr), the beautiful park in the middle of Nantes. The trees, flowers and statues make for a lovely walk, especially on a sunny summer's day. If it's raining, take cover in the Palm House.
SECRETS
Englishman Eddie Chapman-the Second World War double agent better known as Agent ZigZag-spent a few years during the war being trained as a spy at Chateau de la Bretonniere, 20km outside Nantes. His German spymasters treated him well and he drank fine wines while learning sabotage in the magnificent grounds. The Chateau itself is now available for hire for large events (www.chateaudelabretonniere.fr).
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