The FACC-PNW and the WA State Department of Commerce Invite you to the

Pre-Paris Air Show Delegation : Discover Nantes & the Pays de la Loire Region

June 11 - 15, 2019

Explore Nantes and Learn About the Local Industries
Travel to Nantes and the Pays de la Loire Region on this dynamic and engaging trip. Situated on the Loire River only 50km from the Atlantic coast, Nantes is a green wonder of western France.

Participants will learn about the area's historic shipbuilding past and discover the aerospace, life sciences, and maritime innovations taking place in the region. See how this industrial city has progressed into the future with strong advances in green living, leading Time Magazine to name it ‘the most livable city in Europe’ and in 2013 it held the title of European Green Capital. Before attending the Paris Air Show on June 17, join the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest and the Washington State Department of Commerce on this trip to Nantes!
2015 Nantes Delegation Tour of GEBE2
Choose your trip duration:
Group 1
4 nights / 5 days
  • Depart Seattle on Monday, June 10
  • Arrive in Paris & travel to Nantes on Tuesday, June 11
  • Participants travel to Nantes either by train or plane on their own
  • Hotel: Mercure Nantes Centre Grande Hotel
  • Return to Paris as a group on Saturday, June 15, by train - Paris arrival around 10:00 pm

$2000 per person
Group 2
3 nights / 4 days
  • Depart Seattle on Tuesday, June 11
  • Arrive in Paris & travel to Nantes on Wednesday, June 12
  • Participants travel to Nantes either by train or plane on their own
  • Hotel: Mercure Nantes Centre Grande Hotel
  • Return to Paris as a group on Saturday, June 15, by train - Paris arrival around 10:00 pm

$1600 per person
5-Day Itinerary | Group 1

Tuesday, June 11, 2019 - Paris to Nantes
After Arriving in Paris, travel on your own to Nantes and head to hotel

  • 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Walking tour of Nantes

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 - Nantes: More than the Aerospace Sector
For your first full day in the Pays de la Loire, we will learn about the region's historic shipbuilding past and see how they have progressed into the future with strong advances in green and blue technologies. The group will enjoy lunch at a seaside cafe and will attend a welcome reception later in the evening.

  • 8:00 am - 5:00 pm: Shipbuilding and Blue Technology
  • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Neopolia Marine
  • 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Seaside lunch
  • 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Chantiers de l'Atlantique
  • 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Welcome reception hosted by Nantes Saint-Nazaire Development Agency

  • Neopolia Marine - Based on the Loire estuary, an area with a strong shipbuilding tradition, Neopolia Marine represents more than 40 companies which pool their expertise and collaborate in order to respond innovatively to the needs of the shipbuilding industry
  • Chantiers de l'Atlantique - The largest shipyard in Europe, Chantiers de l'Atlantique is located on the Atlantic Coast and has been dedicated to maritime construction for 150 years. They are renowned worldwide for their R&D activity that enables the yard to offer its customers ships showing stringent energy efficiency levels and that are ahead of the most drastic environmental standards. The world's largest passenger ship, Royal Caribbean's MS Symphony of the Seas, was constructed here.


Thursday, June 13, 2019
On this full day tour, you will visit Airbus Saint-Nazaire, Technocampus Smart Factory, and Spirit Aerosystems France. During these visits, we will explore aerospace innovations in the region.

  • Airbus Saint-Nazaire - Located in the city of Saint-Nazaire, this site specializes in assembly, equipment, testing and central front of fuselages.
  • Technocampus Smart Factory - A research institute dedicated to advanced manufacturing, it contributes to developing links between digital and manufacturing. Its industrial center of virtual reality (CIRV) enables companies of all sectors to appropriate industrial uses of virtual reality, in all stages of the industrial value chain (from design to production).
  • Spirit AeroSystems France - The upper and lower shell fuselage panels for Airbus 350 are sent from Spirit's Kinston, N.C. plant to Spirit's plant in St. Nazaire, France, for joining before delivery.

Friday, June 14, 2019
We continue touring the aerospace industry with visits to Daher Aerospace, EMC2, and a subsidiary of Europe Technologies Group.

  • Daher Aerospace - Company specializing in the production of innovative aero structures with a new generation of composite materials, cabin interior parts and equipment, fluid distribution systems, and thermophonic insulation. Experience the fulfillment of assembly works and integration of systems on aircraft, logistics, management, and transport.
  • EMC2 - The French industrial cluster dedicated to advanced manufacturing technologies who promotes investment in innovation that will ensure the future of a strong French manufacturing sector; a crucial component of an economic prosperity. Members include The Boeing Company and Airbus.
  • Europe Technologies Group - Plan to visit one of their subsidiaries, either GEBE2 (robotics) or GOBIO (exoskeleton).

Saturday, June 15, 2019 - 87th Running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
You will start the day with either a leisurely Saturday breakfast or an exploration of the city of Nantes. At noon, we will leave Nantes by bus and travel to the city of Le Mans. There, you will participate in the start of the world renowned 87th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. We will be welcomed by the Region of the Pays de Loire and will be in the VIP section. You will then be transferred by bus to the Le Mans train station for a TGV train to Paris – Gare Montparnasse. 
4-Day Itinerary | Group 2 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019
After Arriving in Paris, travel on your own to Nantes and head to hotel


Thursday, June 13, 2019
On this full day tour, you will visit Airbus Saint-Nazaire, Technocampus Smart Factory, and Spirit Aerosystems France. During these visits, we will explore aerospace innovations in the region.

  • Airbus Saint-Nazaire - Located in the city of Saint-Nazaire, this site specializes in assembly, equipment, testing and central front of fuselages.
  • Technocampus Smart Factory - A research institute dedicated to advanced manufacturing, it contributes to developing links between digital and manufacturing. Its industrial center of virtual reality (CIRV) enables companies of all sectors to appropriate industrial uses of virtual reality, in all stages of the industrial value chain (from design to production).
  • Spirit AeroSystems France - The upper and lower shell fuselage panels for Airbus 350 are sent from Spirit's Kinston, N.C. plant to Spirit's plant in St. Nazaire, France, for joining before delivery.

Friday, June 14, 2019
We continue touring the aerospace industry with visits to Daher Aerospace, EMC2 and a subsidiary of Europe Technologies Group.

  •  Daher Aerospace - Company specializing in the production of innovative aero structures with a new generation composite materials, cabin interior parts and equipment, fluid distribution systems and thermophonic insulation. Fulfillment of assembly works and integration of systems on aircraft, logistics management and transport
  • EMC2 - The French industrial cluster dedicated to advanced manufacturing technologies, promotes investment in innovation that will ensure the future of a strong French manufacturing sector, crucial component of an economic prosperity. The Boeing Company and Airbus are members
  • Europe Technologies Group - We plan to visit one of their subsidiaries either GEBE2 ( robotics ) or GOBIO (exoskeleton) 

Saturday, June 15, 2019 - 87th Running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
You will start the day with either a leisurely Saturday breakfast or an exploration of the city of Nantes. At noon, we will leave Nantes by bus and travel to the city of Le Mans. There, you will participate in the start of the world renowned 87th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. We will be welcomed by the Region of the Pays de Loire and will be in the VIP section. You will then be transferred by bus to the Le Mans train station for a TGV train to Paris – Gare Montparnasse. 
NOTE: Program timings and companies subject to change. Final program will be sent to you on or before May 11.

Price includes:
  • Hotel and breakfast for 3 or 4 nights (depending on the duration of your stay)
  • All lunches and most dinners starting the day after arrival
  • Transportation while in Nantes and bus/train return to Paris on June 15

Price does not include:
  • Transportation to Nantes from Paris on either June 11 or June 12 (please arrive before 4:00 pm)
  • Plane travel to Paris from the United States and return travel

Confirmation of participation:
Once payment is received, you must return the signed Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement and a scanned copy of your valid passport. You will be sent the waiver after successful receipt of payment. Travel documents and visas, if needed, are the responsibility of the participant.

Refunds will be provided with a 25% reduction fee until April 11. After April 11, there will be no refunds issued.
For questions, please contact: