Nantes, France
77Nantes is a historic Atlantic port city where the Loire meets the ocean, mixing medieval streets, green promenades, and contemporary culture. Trams, bikes, and riverside walks make daily life feel pleasantly car-light, under the watchful silhouette of the Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
Livability scores
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Walkability 16 / 20
Nantes scores high because its center is dense and amenity-rich, and a central Nantes address can reach many daily needs on foot.
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Rail Connectivity 8 / 10
Nantes is well linked by regional and national rail, including direct TGV and TER services from Nantes station.
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Public Transit 8 / 10
Nantes has a strong tram, bus, and busway network run by Naolib, making car-free daily travel practical.
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Affordability 7.3 / 10
Nantes shows moderate affordability, with Numbeo’s cost of living plus rent index around mid‑40s and notably lower housing costs than Paris and Lyon.
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Safety 5 / 10
Nantes is not among France's safest cities, but available city and crime data indicate moderate urban safety overall.
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Air Quality 9 / 10
Nantes usually has relatively good air quality for a large French city, with official monitoring showing mostly low pollution levels.
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Quality Of Life 8 / 10
Nantes scores well on liveability because it combines solid transport, good services, and a relatively favorable environment.
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Food Culture 8 / 10
Nantes has a strong food culture, with Loire-region produce, markets, and Michelin-listed restaurants supporting its dining scene.
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Car Free Practicality 8 / 10
Car-free living is practical because Nantes pairs dense neighborhoods with extensive transit, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian streets.
Score changes since Sep 2026 · v2026.1 Overall ▲ +1, 3 signals changed
Overall 76 77 (+1) 2 signals improved, 1 declined.
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Affordability1011+1
Nantes shows moderate affordability, with Numbeo’s cost of living plus rent index around mid‑40s and notably lower housing costs than Paris and Lyon.
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Safety65-1
Nantes is not among France's safest cities, but available city and crime data indicate moderate urban safety overall.
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Air Quality79+2
Nantes usually has relatively good air quality for a large French city, with official monitoring showing mostly low pollution levels.
Advantages & drawbacks
Advantages
- Good balance of culture, jobs, and manageable rents
- Tram, bus, and cycling network support car-free living
- High overall quality-of-life with green spaces and riverfront
Drawbacks
- Safety index is middling for a French mid-sized city
- Property prices rising faster than local salaries
- Weather is oceanic with frequent rain and grey skies
Monthly costs
- Estimated monthly cost €1,500 – €1,800
- Monthly transit pass €60
Where expats live
Districts where international residents concentrate. Pins show neighborhood locations; shaded boundaries are approximate.
- Centre-Ville / Bouffay Historic pedestrian core with medieval streets, cafés, and dense tram access, popular with students, young professionals, and international residents. Nantes Centre-ville urban plan Expats in Nantes u2013 housing tips
- Île de Nantes Redeveloped island district with modern architecture, creative spaces, and tram connections, drawing designers, tech workers, and international families. Ville de Nantes u2013 u00cele de Nantes project Guide quartier u00cele de Nantes
- Hauts-Pavés / Saint-Félix Leafy residential area north of the center near universities and the Erdre river, favored by students, academics, and young expat families. Quartier Hauts-Pavu00e9s u2013 Saint-Fu00e9lix Student and expat housing near Erdre
- Saint-Donatien / Malakoff Mix of traditional streets and postwar redevelopment east of the center, with improving amenities and transport links attracting diverse international residents. Quartiers Saint-Donatien et Malakoff Nantes urban renewal Malakoff
Recent stories mentioning Nantes
Sources
Figures on this page are compiled from the following references. Data is indicative and may change over time.