L'Orchidée Noire

A club established since 2003

L'Orchidée Noire has a storefront right in the heart of Nantes, just steps from the Aimé Delrue tram stop. The club has been around for more than twenty years, which is no small feat in the swinger scene where addresses come and go. It's run by Mylène, whose name comes up often when people talk about the venue's atmosphere.

Across 300 square meters, the venue bets as much on comfort as on straightforward swinging. People come here for the relaxation area just as much as for the themed rooms.

Facilities and atmosphere

On the facilities side, the club plays the full sauna club card: jacuzzi, hammam, sauna and spa area sit alongside lounges designed for chatting and taking your time before getting down to business. Several themed rooms let you vary the scenarios once the evening gets going.

Non-alcoholic drinks (water, coffee, sodas) are complimentary, which avoids unpleasant surprises at the end of the night. The stated dress code is chic and glamorous, though it isn't applied very strictly in practice.

A broad clientele

L'Orchidée Noire claims to open its doors to pretty much everyone: couples, single women, single men, bisexual, transvestite or transsexual people are all welcomed in the same libertine spirit. That's a notable difference from clubs that are more selective at the door.

Entry is without reservation, which makes spontaneous visits easier, whether on weekdays or weekends.

Hours and access

The club runs in two slots each day: an afternoon session from 2pm to 7pm, calmer, and an evening session from 10pm to 4am, generally livelier. This daily time span is rare enough to be worth mentioning.

As for access, the Aimé Delrue tram stop is about fifty meters from the door, and parking is available nearby for those coming by car. The address, at 28 rue des Olivettes, is easy to spot once you know the neighborhood.

What regulars say

Feedback on the venue is overwhelmingly positive and comes from a clientele that seems to stay loyal over time. What people praise most is the mutual respect required between participants and the careful upkeep of the facilities, two points that come up often in the comments.

The establishment also runs a lineup of themed evenings refreshed every month, giving regulars from the neighborhood and visitors from further away plenty of reasons to keep coming back.