France

Nantes

Nantes is the 6th largest city in France with a population of more than 300 000 people. Nantes is the economic and cultural capital of the west of France. For more information about the city, please check the Nantes Tourist Office.

Living and studying in France

You want to learn more about living in France (arrival, housing, health care, daily life), but also about the specificities of studying in France, please check the Campus France website.

Visa application

You have been accepted at Centrale Nantes and you are from outside Europe, you will need to apply for a visa.

Apply through "Etudes en France"

If you are from one of the countries listed below, you must apply for your visa on the Etudes en France database.
Algeria, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Senegal, South Korea, Syria, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, USA, Vietnam.

Apply through the French Consulate or Embassy

If you are not from one of the countries listed above, please contact the French Consulate or Embassy of your home country.

Getting to Nantes

You can travel directly by plane via the Nantes Atlantique international airport. If you land at Paris-Charles de Gaulle there is a direct TGV (high-speed train) to Nantes. If you land at Orly airport, you can reach Paris Montparnasse train station by bus, there is a direct TGV (high-speed train) to Nantes. You can book your train ticket online.

From the train station

From the north exit of the station, take the tram line 1, direction F. Mitterrand. Get off at the 'Commerce' stop. To get to Centrale Nantes, take tram Line 2, direction Orvault Grand-Val, and get off at the 'Ecole Centrale/Audencia' stop. Centrale Nantes is close to the tram stop. One ticket costs €1.70. It is valid for one hour after you stamp it and can also be used on the regular bus and trams. Most of the university residences are located two tram stops after the 'Ecole Centrale/Audencia' stop.

From the airport

Nantes Atlantique international airport is situated about 10 km southwest of Nantes. There is a shuttle bus which will take you downtown (either to the train station or to Place du Commerce). From the north exit of the station, take the tram line 1, direction F. Mitterrand. Get off at the 'Commerce' stop. To get to Centrale Nantes, follow the instructions given above about the tram lines and stops. 
A taxi from the airport (the easiest option), will cost about €50.
Published on July 18, 2019 Updated on October 17, 2019