Nicolas Savinaud grabbed the only goal of the game at Stade Felix-Bolleart just after the hour mark to hand an impressive win to Angel Marcos' visitors.
Les Canaries now move up into fifth spot in the table and are well placed for a European berth, although with the gap between them and the top of the table being just four points, they are also in the reckoning for the title.
Lille moved themselves out of the relegation zone thanks to a 2-0 win at home to fellow strugglers Montpellier.
Christophe Landrin gave the hosts the lead on the hour mark and Mile Sterjovski's 78th minute penalty sealed the points for Lille and they moved out of the bottom three and leapfrogged their opponents in the process.
Ajaccio grabbed a welcome point away at Sochaux despite falling behind through Nisa Saveljic's opener three minutes before the break.
Gregory Lacombe drew Ajaccio level after 66 minutes but the visitors could not find the goal that would have lifted them out of the relegation zone and they stay second bottom.
Match summaries:
Lens v Nantes
Lille v Montpellier
Sochaux v Ajaccio
