Nantes, a city nestled on the estuary of the Loire River in western France, exudes a captivating blend of history, culture, and innovation. With its roots tracing back to the ancient Namnetes tribe, stands as a testament to the confluence of tradition and modernity.
As the birthplace of Jules Verne, and home to EU|BIC Atlanpole, Nantes leverages its cultural, historical and industrial significance to bring the best possible event for the members of the most connected community of innovation and business support organisations.
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By Land
Jules Verne industrial and innovation district hosts an ever evolving industry, whether in the field of composite materials, robotics, mechatronics, welding or Artificial Intelligence. The Industrial Research Centre, with the backing of Nantes Université, hosts a staff of 134 and a network of 73 industrial and academic members, In 2021 it had carried out 107 R&D projects with a budget of €225 million, and was the source of 61 patents.
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Sea
Its major seaport, which it shares with Saint-Nazaire, a frontrunner in sustainability for the maritime sector, and its industrial charm at the head of the Loire estuary, just 56 km from the sea, give this iconic city both a riverside and maritime atmosphere. Chantiers de l’Atlantique, was the famous shipyard where the Queen Mary 2 was built.
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And Air
The industrial identity of the Nantes metropole is based on the presence of major actors in aeronautics such as Airbus and Daher. The former has two large manufacturing plants in Nantes and Saint-Nazaire. This dynamism makes the city rank among the top three cities in France, next to Paris and Lyon for its dynamic growth according to The Globalization and World Cities Research Network.
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An Economic Powerhouse
An industrial and service powerhouse in France, the city of Nantes and surrounding region are renown for its shipbuilding and food manufacturing and processing, having the biscuit brand LU and the vegetables brand Bonduelle as some of the ambassadors of Nantes across France and Europe. The city has one of the best-performing economies in France, producing €55 billion annually and having over 25,000 businesses with 167,000 jobs.
Our host Atlanpole is a major driver of the Nantaise economy, with its business incubator hosting 422 companies and 71 research and higher-education facilities. Focusing in high value-added sectors, it specialises in biopharmaceuticals, IT, renewable energy, mechanics, food production and naval engineering.
Come and join us! #EBN2024 is proud to invite you to meet this tight-knit innovative business community in this vibrant city of western France!
The Actors
Jules Verne Industrial and Innovation District
Your travel to and within Nantes
By Air: The Aéroport Nantes Atlantique, located in the south of Nantes, is the city’s international airport with regular connections to the entire European continent. The airport is located just about 30 minutes away from the city center, well connected to our venue of CIC Ouest with the NA express bus line. Alternatively, the taxi ride to central Nantes takes about 20 minutes and costs on average €35.
If you arrive to one of Paris' international Airports, you are covered by the amazing network of TGV's.
Through Paris Orly: Reaching the Gare de Montparnasse, from where the TGV departs, is a 30 minute Taxi ride or about 1h by public transport.
Through Paris-CDG: Although it is further away from the city centre, the ride is as short as with Orly, just 1h, relying on RER B and Metro Line 4. With a Taxi, the ride takes about 1h as well.
By Rail: Regular trains connect Nantes to all major European destinations through the high-speed TGV rail network and the SNCF network. There are dozens of TGV trains from Paris to Nantes daily, the trip taking around 2 hours. The main railway station is comfortably located just 9 minutes away by foot from our venue of CIC Ouest, and extremely well serviced by public transport.
By Road: You can hire or bring your car to Nantes which is superbly connected by road. Toll road A11 connects this city with the French Capital, which also converges in the Nantes ringway with the A83 motorway and N165, N137 and N249 dual carriageways that provide comfortable access from all cardinal points. Alternatively, companies like Eurolines, Ouibus, and Flixbus offer bus services to Nantes from several cities.
Public transport: The city is serviced by the recently rebranded Naolib public transport authority, which provides confortable bus and tram routes across the city. Taxis, Uber, Heetch and Bolt can also be hired.
Special Sponsored airlines fares #EBN2024.
Benefit from discounted rates on your online bookings thanks to our partners at Airfrance-KLM.
Supporting partner
François de Dijon, via Wikimedia Commons
The Venue - CIC Headquarters
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Please be aware that for security reasons stipulated by the VIGIPIRATE policy, we are not able to store luggage at the event venue. Coats can be left at our coat room, but any luggage or backpacks cannot be left unattended by their owner. Please plan your travel accordingly.
Hotels
#EBN2024 will be hosted at the CIC Ouest headquarters. As such, we recommend our guest book their stay in this selection of hotels, all withing walking or short public transport distance from our venue.
In our map and the following table you will find the distance, the star rating and a link to book on their website.
