Under $100: Nantes, France

Nantes, France, is an artsy city situated in the Pays de la Loire region, two hours west of Paris. It is the sixth-largest city in France and is friendly toward travelers, given there are thousands of international students living in the city.

Begin your day at a coffee shop to grab a sweet treat and a warm beverage for breakfast. A favorite among international students is Columbus Café, similar to Starbucks. Any drink here should not cost more than $8.

After that, walk over to the Passage Pommeraye — a gorgeous 19^th-century mall. Most of the shops are high-end so if you are looking to buy something more affordable, the shops on the street adjacent boast more reasonable prices.

Next, head away from the city center to the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. For 18–25 year olds, the entrance fee is $5 and for anyone older the fee is $8. Almost the whole castle can be explored. Each room showcases a different exhibition so there is plenty to see. Nantes was once a major port city that shipped slaves and housed many of France’s royal dukes and duchesses.

Enjoy a walk over the bridge in the city center to arrive to the Isle of Nantes. Here you will find wonderful machines created by artists. There is a giant, 40-foot elephant that gives rides ($8.50 for a ride) and sprays water. Sometimes there is also a machine spider and ant.

To finish the day, eat at Amor de Pommed de Terre (For the Love of Potatoes), a restaurant centered on potatoes. The meals are amazing and not too expensive for the excellent quality of food. The highest priced meal will cost $35.