Move Over Paris! Digital Nomads Are Falling In Love With This Affordable French City
One of the most fascinating cities in Europe to kick back and watch the world go by, all while sipping freshly concocted batches of lattes and cappuccinos, is, of course, Paris.
The iconic city is lined with seemingly endless sidewalk cafes but never short of tourist crowds. In the digital nomad world, as great as making said cafes your office for the day, hefty rents often push digital nomads’ budgets to the brink.
No worries, though. France is full of wondrous cities to make your base and is specifically well-suited for remote workers with friendly policies for long-term stays.
According to a recent digital nomad guide published by Drift, one of France’s rising cities in the digital nomad scene is a big surprise, but not so surprising as to why.
Affordable, artsy, and very start-up friendly, the underrated city of Nantes has become France’s latest heartthrob for digital nomads.
Where In The World Is Nantes?
I bet the average American couldn’t name 5 French cities, but I also bet seasoned digital nomads could name at least a dozen, as they’re often on the prowl for the next great spot.
That being said, Nantes, a rather large city of 320,000, may not have been one of them.
But it should be now.
Multiple reports have recently showcased Nantes as fun, quirky, and an undeniably up-and-coming destination, with Drift’s guide being the latest.
Located in the Upper Brittany region of France, this riverside city boasts a buzzing arts scene and portals into the past with marvels like Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
There’s always something to pique your interest, whether it’s unwind at a riverfront cafe or peruse a variety of art exhibits.
Arguably the most popular attraction is Les Machines de l’Île, and it’s something you’d think to experience in Tokyo, not an underrated French city.
This whimsical world of giant mechanical creatures (that you can ride) is truly one-of-a-kind and, believe it or not, was partly inspired by none other than Leonardo Da Vinci.
Basically, everything in Nantes circles back to art in one form or another, from intriguing museums, galleries, and art installations to the culinary arts.
Don’t sleep on the food scene here! Be sure to try a glass of Muscadet wine and gâteau nantais cake.
Nantes’ Newfound Appeal: Sustainability, Affordability & Startup Hub
Digital nomads have been on the receiving end of the blame game. One such overtourism concern is the issue of sustainability.
Nomads should have no qualms residing in Nantes, known for its steadfast green policies to ensure they don’t find themselves on the wrong end of headlines like other nomad havens, such as Bali.
But what’s most important beyond feeling welcomed and doing right by the planet is being able to afford living here in the first place.
Nantes, especially by French standards, is an affordable city, a far cry from Paris, with very affordable rents.
In fact, a separate digital nomad guide claims an $1840 monthly budget gets you by. A quick search on Airbnb shows centrally located studio apartments for $731 per month this spring so that budget checks out.
Digital nomads hold a variety of jobs, but some take the fullest of plunges by starting their own business, which Nantes is seen as France’s mini “Silicon Valley” perfect for setting up shop remotely and mingling with likeminded people.
How Long Can You Stay In France?
Good news is if you’re a European nomad, you can work freely in France visa-free.
Everybody else can receive approval for a 90-day stay within a 180-day timeframe after scheduling a Schengen visa appointment.
There are a few other options as well:
- French Long-Stay Visa: for nomads seeking to stay longer than three months
- Tech Visa: for qualified individuals in technology-driven fields
- Self-Employment Visa: for professionals with freelancing or business proprietorship visa categories
- Talent Passport: for those sought-after in niche fields fitting specific profiles by French employers and investors
Even as the most visited country in the world, France crossed the 100 million visitor threshold for 2024, there is yet to be an official digital nomad visa.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.