Practical Nantes Travel Advice
Availability of banks or ATM machines
The national currency of France is the Euro.
ATMs are widely available in France, usually outside banks, on major streets, and at airports. If you have a major card such as Visa or Mastercard, you won’t struggle to find a machine. Nantes is a big city so there are many ATMs. Availability, however, is more scarce in rural areas. Foreign bank cards are accepted and most machines don’t have a daily withdrawal limit, but your own bank may impose one of its own. You can find your nearest ATM locator for Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
An ATM machine is right across the street from la Cité at CIC ouest bank
Are there credit card limitations?
Credit cards are not as popular in France as debit cards. However, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards are commonly used for larger and online payments.
Current Mask Guidelines in Nantes
Masks are required in public transportation (tram, bus, train and planes) but not in the congress center and not in streets or restaurants. Therefore, please plan to bring some masks.
Tipping - what is expected?
You are not required to tip waiters/waitresses in restaurants. A 15% service fee is automatically included in ALL cafés, restaurants, bars, etc. as part of the price of each item (not on top of the total).
The VAT (or TVA en français) has been lowered to 5.5% for food but remains 19.6% for wine and some luxury foods, both itemized on your bill, but it’s part of the actual menu item prices, not added on top at checkout as we do in the US for sales tax.
In hotels, it’s customary to tip luggage handlers, room service (except for breakfast), and to leave something on your pillow for housekeeping (especially if your room requires tidying). In some places (like cloakrooms) you may see a sign that says “pourboire interdit” (tipping forbidden).
For taxi drivers, it is common to tip one euro or round up the nearest euro to make it easier for them to give change
Nantes Public Transportation
Every attendee will get a TAN pass for public transportation in the town for the entire duration of the meeting (buses; tramway …). These are small cards personalized to the name of the congress. La Cité orders them and they will be given in the attendee’s pack.
Climate
The last month of the spring, May, is an enjoyable month in Nantes, France, with average temperature varying between 8.9°C (48°F) and 18.3°C (64.9°F).
Electricity - what type of adapters people should bring?
The best type of electrical outlet adapter to buy for use in France is Type E because it accommodates both grounded and ungrounded devices.
An electric power converter (sometimes called a transformer or voltage converter) lets you use an electrical device designed for 110-127 volts in a country where 220-240V electricity is the norm - and vice-versa.
For example, in the U.S. (and a few other countries), 110-127 volt electricity is used for most chargers for your electronics. If you travel from a 110-127V country to a 220-240V country and bring electrical devices that do not have a built-in converter, then you will need a converter - but don't worry, this is built into most modern electronics such as computers and phones.
International Dialing Code
How to call Nantes in France from the United States:
011 - Exit code when making an international call from the United States
33 - French country code for inbound calls
2 - Nantes city code
011 + 33 + 2 + Local Number - International dialing code format