Guy Roux's men signalled their intent for the season as they hammered their hosts at La Beaujoire thanks to goals from Benjamin Mwaruwari, Arnaud Gonzalez and a Yann Lachuer brace with a consolation from Nantes' Viorel Moldovan.
Mwaruwari opened the scoring on 23 minutes and Gonzalez doubled the visitors' lead just three minutes later.
Lachauer grabbed the first of his double on 32 minutes before Romanian striker Moldovan pulled one back for The Canaries.
Lachuer notched his second of the game 12 minutes from time to completed the rout and sound out a warning signal to the rest of the league hopefuls.
Nice then had to follow Auxerre's early win but failed to match their result and went down to a goal from Fabien Boudarene five minutes from time.
Gernot Rohr's men faced an even harder task at Stade Bonal after Dominique Aulanier was sent off with 67 minutes played and they were unable to hold out for a point and lose their shock lead of the table, staying three points behind Auxerre.
Bordeaux lost ground on the leaders as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Bastia in Corsica.
Veteran striker Florian Maurice grabbed a15th minute penalty for Bastia before Lilian Laslandes gave them the points with his goal just after the hour despite Pauleta's goal six minutes from time.
Monaco leapfrog Bordeaux to move into fourth place following a 2-1 win against Rennes.
Souleymane Camara gave the principality side the lead after just nine minutes before Rennes full back Anthony Reveillere squared the game after 33 minutes.
Patrice Evra's 77th minute strike was enough for Didier Deschamps's side as they continue to move towards the top of the league.
An amazing second half at Guingamp saw visitors Strasbourg eventually overcome their hosts in a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Corentin Martins gave Strasbourg the lead after 30 minutes but the game really caught fire in the final twenty minutes.
Blaise Kouassi was sent off for Guingamp on 68 minutes only for the ten men to draw level through Wagneau Eloi just a minute later.
Five minutes later Strasbourg were back in front and a double blast from Danijel Ljuboja (74) and Fabrice Ehret (75) handed the visitors the points despite Stephane Carnot grabbing a late goal for battling Guingamp.
Sedan handed out a 4-0 thumping to newcomers Le Havre at Louis Dugauguez including a brace from Stephane Noro.
Senegal's Henri Camara netted the first for the home side and Noro's double, along with Alain Liri's strike gave Sedan a resounding win and they could even afford to miss a penalty from Cedric Mionnet.
Paris Saint Germain had to come from a goal down at Montpellier to earn a 1-1 draw when Paulo Cesar cancelled out Habib Bamogo's opener.
Vikash Dhorasoo gave Lyon the lead with 15 minutes left to play at Troyes but the home side found a late equaliser through Mamadou Niang to share the spoils.
The final game of the evening saw Lens and Lille share a goalless draw.
Click below for match summaries:
Bastia v Bordeaux
Guingamp v Strasbourg
Lens v Lille
Monaco v Rennes
Montpellier v PSG
Nantes v Auxerre
Sedan v Le Havre
Sochaux v Nice
Troyes v Lyon
