Nantes, a city to eat

Sept. 18 2013

by Sébastien Letard / TÊTU

We might as well say it frankly, we didn't really knowNantes. The city, regularly ranked among the most gay-friendly, had a positive prejudice, but we were surprised. And rather pleasantly!

A first walk in the streets of the city seduces us already. We quickly felt good, between the winding streets full of charm of the historical center, at the foot of the castle of the Dukes of Brittany. For the shopping addicts, direction the very elegant Graslin district. All this with cute boys everywhere. The marriage of butter and sea air offers a rather successful result.

For a few years, the city has been changing its face and rediscovering its industrial heritage to offer new places of culture. On the Ile de Nantes, in front of the city center, the shipyard site has become a multidisciplinary place. Ideal for an afternoon stroll between the famous beasts of Nantes, the exhibition places, the boats on the quay and many bars and terraces on the banks of the Loire.

Gay pride in Nantes 2009 ©Mktp/ Flickr

But Nantes wouldn't really be what it is without the famous cookies. The former LU factory has also been brilliantly transformed and renamed the LU, the Lieu Unique, regrouping a restaurant, a bar, a bookshop, an exhibition room, a dance hall and... a hammam!

Although there is not really a gay district in Nantes anymore, the community is no less active. there's always something going on," explains Stéphane, the owner of 203, a very friendly bar in the city center. It's a very open city. This is probably due to the work of the LGBT Center, the policy of the city hall and the establishments. There are gay beaches nearby, the Royal Deluxe, parties ... Whoever is bored here, sincerely, I do not understand it!

In the evening, head for rue Kervegan, the historically gay street in Nantes with several gay or friendly night bars and restaurants. also worth mentioning are the regular parties organized by several rather active LGBT groups and associations. For those who prefer a more cosy atmosphere, the city center also offers a series of more intimate bars.

But today, it's another district, a stone's throw from the cathedral, which is becoming the rallying point for Nantes' gays. With the LGBT Center, a good number of gay shopkeepers and a few bars and restaurants with original concepts, it's the rue Joffre that takes on rainbow colors. After a weekend here, you'll see that the whole city has a welcoming face.

"There is a great community. People of all ages, all social classes," says Julie, who runs the Façon Maison, a restaurant downtown. It's pretty mixed. In most of these places, you feel comfortable right away. It's warm, simple. It's like a big family. I feel free to be gay here, to hold my girlfriend's hand and do what I want to do."

It's hard not to quickly meet and make friends with people from Nantes. They will undoubtedly be happy to make you discover their city.