Nantes–Québec Cooperation

Nantes & Québec: two territories, one shared vision

There’s a strong connection between Nantes and Québec! Collaborations are multiplying across cultural, economic, and academic sectors.

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“Nantes and Montréal share common values around the innovative and inclusive city, urban development through experimentation, and the strong ties between Nantes’ Creative District and Montréal’s Quartier des Spectacles,”
— Johanna Rolland, Mayor of Nantes

Both cities place a high value on creativity, gender equality, diversity, social justice, sustainability, smart city development, urban nature, and a shared spirit of boldness and innovation.

Collaborations in digital technology…


A global leader in artificial intelligence, Montréal attracts researchers and cutting-edge digital businesses from all over the world.

In 2019, Nantes and Montréal signed a data charter for public authorities, addressing the evolution and application of ethical frameworks, and exploring the development of an ethical label for data usage in smart cities.

Like Montréal, Nantes is a digital frontrunner and the top French city for digital job creation.

……And in cultural & creative industries


Montréal is a global leader in video games, visual effects, and animation, offering creative talent and expertise that complements Nantes’ thriving creative ecosystem.

These synergies have sparked unique collaborative opportunities:

  • Opening of Montréal campuses for L’École de Design Nantes Atlantique and Pivaut School of Graphic Arts
  • Partnership agreement between Le Quartier des Spectacles (Montréal) and SAMOA (Nantes)
  • Strengthened ties between Zù incubator (Montréal), SAMOA, and L’École de Design to support creative entrepreneurs using tech to revolutionize entertainment

Cross-Atlantic business collaborations

Numerous companies are forging strong ties between Nantes and Québec:

  • AgileDSS (data consulting) opened a Nantes office in December 2023
  • Tree Consulting
  • Atelier 7hz, a Canadian design firm, established a presence in Nantes in 2023
  • K2 Rénovation brings Canadian wood construction expertise
  • Les Fantômes, a creative studio born in Montréal, set up shop in Halles 6 in Nantes in 2022
  • Wako Factory, a video game studio from Nantes, now operates from Montréal’s Zù incubator
  • Obeo, a Nantes-based open-source software publisher, collaborated with the Canadian Space Agency and later opened a branch in Vancouver
  • Transway, a provider of smart mobility solutions, collaborates actively with partners in Montréal and Sherbrooke
  • Sensopia (MagicPlan), a Montréal-based proptech company, now operates from Nantes
  • Dilitrust, specializing in secure corporate data, operates in both Nantes and Montréal
  • Odiwi, a digital services firm, opened a Montréal office
  • BlackMeal, a motion design studio from Nantes, launched a Montréal studio in 2019
  • 7opteam, a customer relationship software company, operates in both cities

Events to foster collaboration


Every year, cross-delegations meet at key events:

  • Atlangames, Nantes’ video game cluster, participates annually in MIGS in Montréal
  • La Cantine (Nantes’ digital cluster) takes part in Web@Québec (April), as part of a partnership with Web2Day (June), which in turn welcomes Québec-based delegations
  • Cross-participation in Printemps Numérique / MTL Connecte (May) and Nantes Digital Week (September)

These are intense moments of creative friction, where speakers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from both sides of the Atlantic exchange ideas and form new partnerships.

A V.I.E. to strengthen the connection


Based in Montréal, Jeanne Gorny is the new International Volunteer (V.I.E.) for Nantes Métropole, in charge of Québec relations.
A Nantes native and graduate of Panthéon-Sorbonne University (Master’s in International Relations), Jeanne has previously worked with the French National Assembly, ENGIE, Paris 2024, and the Ministry of National Education and Youth.

Her mission: to strengthen ties between Nantes and Québec through multiple actions:

  • Promote Nantes Métropole’s territory and partnerships
  • Act as a facilitator and connector for economic, cultural, academic, non-profit, and tourism stakeholders
  • Monitor and share intelligence on strategic sectors
  • Support co-development of international cooperation projects
  • Animate local networks and the “Audacieux” Nantes community in Québec and Montréal

📩 Contact: jeanne.gorny@nantesmetropole.fr

> Contact: jeanne.gorny@nantesmetropole.fr