JWL

In this area or nearby are there opportunities to connect to cultural pursuits of theatre, dance, folk/blues/rock/opera/classical music, and in general something culturally entertaining. If not so much around here, how far would one have to travel to find something?

Touraine

Nantes or Rennes. If you live on the outskirts then 30 mins journey.

Certainly Nantes. Nantes is in the top 3 cities that French people what to live in. French know best.

You are not getting it.

Chatter Static

Rennes is in Brittany and Nantes is in Pays de la Loire although each region is pretty much equally flooded in Brits

dmu

Rennes being the capital of the Département has all the cultural pursuits you could wish for. Google to discover all the Theatres, Museums, "Les Champs Libres" etc.... It's a vibrant University city, architecturally beautiful, and pleasant to live in.
But expensive....

Touraine

Nantes is still Brittany. Fab city.

My OH family live on the outskirts of Nantes. No British there. Yet !

Chatter Static

Busy busy the whole department is in the tourist season direct road connections with St Malo and Dinan which attract the wealthy Parisians, hospitals are ranked at 8th or 9th in France although I don't know how that fairs in quality of service.

dmu

I agree, but tell that to those who decided it should be in the Région Pays de la Loire!
P.S. for C-S: I can confirm from experience that the Rennes CHU is excellent!

Chatter Static

Glad to hear it as it is my new specialist unit.

JWL

I love Nantes. Fondest memories of it when I was a student 200 years ago

Chatter Static

Well under François Hollande new rules you can retire in 5 or 6 years...

JWL

Any GC French accordion/melodeon players or groups around there?

Tweedpipe