JOIE DE VIVRE

The magazine l’Express declares: "The city of the Dukes of Brittany understood before any other that its economic development was linked to quality of life."

Mass job creations, a young population, crime rate well below the national average, air quality maintained, ideal geographical location, a short distance from the sea: all of this is part of the Nantes "mix", for which the main ingredients are without doubt the sense of the event and culture, respect for the environment and a permanent spirit of innovation. 

Culture as a trademark
Classical music, contemporary art, major sporting and popular events… Here is a look at a few local events that will take your breath away …Created in 1995 at the Nantes Cité Internationale des Congrès, the Folle Journée is a classical music festival which is the only one of its kind : short concerts, all happening at the same time, and at a reasonable price. It is more and more successful (122 000 tickets sold in 2007). And the concept is an attractive one. it has now been exported to Bilbao, Lisbon, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. After the "nations in harmony in 2007", 2008's edition will be dedicated to "Franz Schubert and his friends”.

Ile de Nantes Machines : an extraordinary adventure begins
Deep sea monsters and a giant elephant become the vessels which transport you on an incredible voyage. Set in the former shipyard, the first leg of the Isle of Nantes Machines project opens its doors to the public in July 2007, with more of these enchanting machines leaving the confines of the workshops over the years to come. The Royal de Luxe troupe and its urban fables keep a whole city on the edge of their seats. They have already won over crowds all around the world : London, Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona, Reykjavick, Santiago de Chile... Nantes has become the living laboratory of their shows, ever since they came to stay in 1990.

Estuary 2007 and the Rugby World Cup
Monuments dotted along the 60km of the Loire estuary between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire : that’s the revolutionary concept of the biennial contemporary art event Estuaire, which was initiated in 2007. Next rendez-vous in 2009 ! After the Football World Cup in 1998, the stade de la Beaujoire is hosting three matches at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Wales, Canada, England, Samoa and Fiji will be celebrating the oval ball and dedicating Nantes once and for all as a major sporting city.

Green inspiration
The first Magnolias and Camelias were introduced into Europe through the port of Nantes. Nantes is continuing with this botanic tradition : the diversity and nature of its parks and gardens make it without doubt the most British of French cities. Today landscape architects are continuing to develop new projects. Creation here also comes in plant form….

The “fous de Nantes”
The spirit of Jules Verne is alive and well in Nantes, the city of his birth: this is where he dreamt up and implemented the most improbable plans. Would you like some proof? Take a look at the fous de Nantes website!