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!

WELCOME DRINK !

Thursday, October 2nd, from 6.30 till 8.30 pm

You're a researcher (Phd student, post doc, teaching researcher, etc) new to Nantes ? This is your evening !
Come and meet and/or greet fellow international researchers in a friendly atmosphere. You'll meet the association's team and discover the Maison des Chercheurs Étrangers (House for Foreign Researchers) !

If you are already familiar with the association and Nantes, feel free to stop by as well to help Soline and Nathalie welcome all the researchers recently arrived in the past weeks or months in our city... you might meet new compatriots !

FREE - researcher's family or fellow researcher friends welcome (max 1 guest per researcher)

Registration by email mandatory.

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.

City wall of Guérande

Little streets of Guérande

Salt marshes

Salt marsh guided tour

Le Croisic harbor