Intercultural program
As a EURAXESS services centre, our organisation offers foreign researchers and their family a programme of events: cultural outings and social opportunities all year long. Come and meet other foreign researchers living in Nantes !
Heads-up on this Fall semester’s program (see full program below for details and fees):
- Saturday September 20th, Cruise on the River Erdre:
Guided boat cruise on the Erdre river, to get to know its wonderful twists and turns, especially the many castles First opportunity to meet newly arrived international researchers as well. - Thursday October 2nd, Welcome Drink at MCE
Meet and greet new fellow international researchers in a friendly atmosphere at the Maison des Chercheurs. Discover the place, meet the association’s team, all in a fun and relax set up. - Saturday October 18th: Daytrip to Clisson and the Nantes’ local vineyard
A day out in the vineyards: enjoy the charming town of Clisson and its river surroundings. In the morning, guided tour in French and English of Clisson. In the afternoon, visit of a winemaker and winetasting of his production. - Saturday November 15th, Nantes Guided Tour
A 2-hour guided tour in English of Nantes city center: historical and cultural essentials throughout the years from the Middle Age till the XIXth century. - Tuesday November 20th, WELCOME PARTY at the Nantes Castles
Organized by Nantes City Council, a formal evening at the Castle to honor the 2025, recently arrived, international researchers. - Wednesday December 10th, Classical Night at Cité des Congrès
Pays de la Loire symphonic orchestra will perform in the Nantes famous Cité des Congrès venue. On the program for that night: all the classic tunes of Christmas time. - Wednesday December 17t, Christmas Party at the MCE
A “give back” Christmas party: bring a present for local charities who will give them out to less privileged families. Entertainment, French snacks and Christmassy atmosphere on the menu of the evening at the Maison des Chercheurs Étrangers!
Erdre river boat cruise
Saturday, September 20th from 3 pm to 5:15 pm
Sightseeing boat cruise along the peaceful Erdre river, from Nantes city center towards the north, to get to know the river's wonderful twists and turns, especially the many local small castles. 1h45 long
The glass boat is covered. All seating should be inside but there is an open space outside on the boat. The river is very quiet, no splashing or waves to expect. Comments in French, as well as English, German, Spanish available using the free phone app Baludik.
An opportunity to meet new international researchers who just arrived in Nantes, maybe just like you !
Potluck picnic after the boat cruise if the weather permits!
Registration online mandatory. Check registration details in your email sent a few weeks before the event.
Family members welcome.
10€ per person
Daytrip “Nature and Culture” : Guérande, Le Croisic, marais salants
June 14th, 2025 from 8.45am to 8pm
Come spend a day enjoying land and ocean, histoy and nature, Bretagne and Pays de la Loire. The association organises a daytrip starting with an 1.5hr private bus drive to Guérande where you'll enjoy a one hour guided tour (in French and in English) of the medieval city center, followed by some free time in the city to lunch or shop and explore. Then we'll enjoy a discovery visit of the salt marshes with a professional guide explaining the eco-system and the hand harvested salt craft of this region. We'll finish the afternoon in the little sea resort and harbor of Le Croisic where you'll be able to stroll, shop, go to the beach or take a little hike by the coast line, according to your preferences. The bus will bring us back to Nantes around 8pm.
Registration (mandatory) opens on Wednesday May 21st at 6pm (details sent by email)
Fee is 24€ per person (it includes 2 guided visits and private bus transportation, does not include lunch)
1 guest maximum per registered researcher, unless you came to Nantes with your spouse and a child, possibility of getting a third ticket in that context.
Little streets of Guérande
Salt marshes
Salt marsh guided tour
Le Croisic harbor
A day at Mont Saint Michel
Saturday May 17th, 2025 - from 7.30 am to 8.30pm
A day at the Mont Saint Michel, a must see!!!
Meeting at 7.30am in MCE neighborhood, we leave Nantes by private bus for a 2.5hr coach ride. Once at Mont St Michel, we first have a one hour guided tour (one group in English, one group in French) to learn about this unique place history and its village gathered on that tiny rock in the middle of the bay. At 12.30, you'll have 2 hours of free time on Mont St Michel to wander, visit, and admire this historical world famous site. Either you take time to stroll and eat or you visit the abbey and rush for a sandwich.
At 2.30pm, we meet again to start a two hour guided tour in the bay, walking barefoot on the humid sand, to discover the unique ecosystem of the bay (quick sands, tidal bores...).
At 5.30 pm we meet back at the coach to ride back to Nantes. Arrival in city center scheduled at 8.30 pm
27.50€ per person (The fee includes the 2 guided walks and bus transportation. The fee does not include lunch or the abbey entrance ticket, if you choose to visit it.)
Online registration will start on Friday April 18th at 6pm. Limited seating. Make sure to register to only one of the two groups (one link for the visits both in English, one link for the visits both in French).
Registration links and details will be sent by email by mid-April.
Contact us if you didn't receive it.
One guest possible per researcher member of the association. Kids welcomed if 7 and older, but parents please keep in mind it is a LONG day and parental supervision is mandatory during the visit of the bay (quick sands are real and dangerous for a unsupervised kid !)
