Nantes is a pretty place. I always tell Feng he is lucky that I’m from a sizeable city and not Trifouillis-les-Oies (a French euphemism for “out in the sticks”). I mean, come on, a castle, old historical neighbourhoods, nice walks along the Loire River… American tourists would love it!

… But Nantes isn’t really on the map as an international travel destination. It’s not oh-la-la-Paris, it’s not sunny Nice, it’s not historical Normandy.

I keep on telling people to check it out, though. I’m not being patriotic, really, but it’s still an affordable city where people are reasonably welcoming and not yet sick of tourists.

And there is a castle, people!