Move Over Paris! Digital Nomads Are Falling In Love With This Affordable French City
One of probably the most fascinating cities in Europe to sit back and watch the world go by, all whereas sipping freshly concocted batches of lattes and cappuccinos, is, in fact, Paris.
The iconic metropolis is lined with seemingly endless sidewalk cafes however by no means wanting vacationer crowds. In the digital nomad world, as nice as making mentioned cafes your workplace for the day, hefty rents usually push digital nomads’ budgets to the brink.

No worries, although. France is stuffed with wondrous cities to make your base and is particularly well-suited for distant employees with pleasant insurance policies for long-term stays.
According to a latest digital nomad information printed by Drift, considered one of France’s rising cities within the digital nomad scene is a giant shock, however not so stunning as to why.
Affordable, artsy, and really start-up pleasant, the underrated metropolis of Nantes has turn out to be France’s newest heartthrob for digital nomads.
Where In The World Is Nantes?
I guess the common American could not identify 5 French cities, however I additionally guess seasoned digital nomads might identify not less than a dozen, as they’re usually on the prowl for the subsequent great place.
That being mentioned, Nantes, a relatively massive metropolis of 320,000, could not have been considered one of them.
But it needs to be now.
Multiple experiences have lately showcased Nantes as enjoyable, quirky, and an undeniably up-and-coming vacation spot, with Drift’s information being the newest.
Located within the Upper Brittany area of France, this riverside metropolis boasts a buzzing arts scene and portals into the previous with marvels like Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
There’s at all times one thing to pique your curiosity, whether or not it is unwind at a riverfront cafe or peruse quite a lot of artwork reveals.
Arguably the most well-liked attraction is Les Machines de l’Île, and it is one thing you’d assume to expertise in Tokyo, not an underrated French metropolis.
This whimsical world of big mechanical creatures (that you just can journey) is really one-of-a-kind and, consider it or not, was partly impressed by none apart from Leonardo Da Vinci.
Basically, the whole lot in Nantes circles again to artwork in a single type or one other, from intriguing museums, galleries, and artwork installations to the culinary arts.
Don’t sleep on the meals scene right here! Be certain to strive a glass of Muscadet wine and gâteau nantais cake.
Nantes’ Newfound Appeal: Sustainability, Affordability & Startup Hub
Digital nomads have been on the receiving finish of the blame recreation. One such overtourism concern is the difficulty of sustainability.
Nomads shouldn’t have any qualms residing in Nantes, recognized for its steadfast inexperienced insurance policies to make sure they do not discover themselves on the unsuitable finish of headlines like different nomad havens, akin to Bali.
But what’s most essential past feeling welcomed and doing proper by the planet is having the ability to afford dwelling right here within the first place.
Nantes, particularly by French requirements, is an reasonably priced metropolis, a far cry from Paris, with very reasonably priced rents.
In truth, a separate digital nomad guide claims an $1840 month-to-month price range will get you by. A fast search on Airbnb reveals centrally positioned studio residences for $731 per month this spring in order that price range checks out.
Digital nomads maintain quite a lot of jobs, however some take the fullest of plunges by beginning their very own enterprise, which Nantes is seen as France’s mini “Silicon Valley” excellent for establishing store remotely and mingling with likeminded folks.
How Long Can You Stay In France?
Good information is should you’re a European nomad, you may work freely in France visa-free.
Everybody else can obtain approval for a 90-day keep inside a 180-day timeframe after scheduling a Schengen visa appointment.
There are just a few different choices as nicely:
- French Long-Stay Visa: for nomads in search of to remain longer than three months
- Tech Visa: for certified people in technology-driven fields
- Self-Employment Visa: for professionals with freelancing or enterprise proprietorship visa classes
- Talent Passport: for these sought-after in area of interest fields becoming particular profiles by French employers and traders
Even as probably the most visited nation on this planet, France crossed the 100 million visitor threshold for 2024, there’s but to be an official digital nomad visa.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No adverts, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where vacationers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even discover like-minded journey buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e mail tackle to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.