Nancy, prefecture of Meurthe-et-Moselle, was the political capital of the Duchy of Lorraine until its attachment to the Kingdom of France in 1766. Stanislas Leszczyński, father-in-law of Louis XV and former king of Poland, marked Nancy with great achievements, including the square that bears his name, in the center of the current city. Three major historical periods are visible as you walk through the streets: the Middle Ages, with the old city (bounded by the Saint-Epvre basilica and the Porte de la Craffe, linked together by the Grande-Rue, where the Cordeliers church and the ducal palace are located) ; the 18th century, represented by the Place Stanislas, the Place de la Carrière and the Place d'Alliance (all of which are classified as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO); and, finally, the 1900s, represented by the houses and buildings of the École de Nancy, mainly near the train station and the Saint-Léon, Saurupt and Sainte-Marie Park districts.
Place Stanislas, one of theone of the most beautiful squares in the world
Place Stanislas is THE jewel of Nancy, its ground zero, its symbol, its reference. Regularly ranked among the most beautiful squares in the world, it is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and is simply a must-see, regardless of the season, for Nancy residents and tourists alike. The basic idea here was to build a royal square to honor and glorify the king of France, Louis XV. It was built between 1751 and 1755 under the direction of the architect Emmanuel Héré, at the request of Stanislas Leszczynski, former King of Poland, then Duke of Lorraine. All around, classical buildings now house the city hall, the Opera and the Museum of Fine Arts. The ensemble still shines thanks to the superb gates adorned with gold and the majestic fountains. In the center, there was originally a statue representing Louis XV, replaced in 1831 by that of Stanislas. In 2005, following restoration work, the place regained its original splendor. The square became pedestrian again and took on the role of the heart of the city and of all the events... In particular, during the Christmas and New Year period, when it is deliciously illuminated. And as soon as the weather is fine, the terraces of the cafés take their quarters, and the facades of the buildings come to life with sound and light. Simply splendid!
In Nancy, architecture and Art Nouveau
Curious passers-by and visitors with a thirst for discovery can also admire the treasures of Art Nouveau in the heart of the city, visible along the facades and streets. The School of Nancy was revealed in the 1900s. Artists and industrialists (cabinetmakers, sculptors, architects, glassmakers, ironworkers, goldsmiths, etc.) had come together under the impetus of the École de Nancy group, composed of Émile Gallé, Louis Majorelle, Eugène Vallin, Georges Biet, Victor Prouvé and the Daum brothers. They made Nancy one of the essential centers of the development of Art Nouveau. The plant world and flexible geometric patterns are their main source of inspiration. A large place is given to innovative materials such as glass, wood, iron or ceramic cabochons. Thetourist office has a small leaflet with the main points of interest to discover and an itinerary of the most beautiful monuments of this period. On some buildings, a plaque mentions the name of the architect or the artist who designed the ironwork. Sometimes it is the family name of the owner of the house. A little far from the city center, at the bottom of rue Jeanne-d'Arc, there is also a neighborhood of beautiful villas to discover
Going green at La Pépinière
La Pépinière is quite simply the largest park in the city of Nancy and without a doubt the most beautiful too, with its 22 hectares of greenery accessible from Place Stanislas and Place Carrière. A haven of peace and tranquility for walkers, a paradise for children, a playground for joggers, it is an emblematic place that offers many sports and cultural activities in the city... First a royal nursery founded by Stanislas in 1765, the place became a public park in 1835. Today, sportsmen jog or play basketball, soccer or handball; groups of friends play music on the grass, lovers stroll in the rose garden, children ride the merry-go-round or the swing, families enjoy the animal park (monkeys, ducks, donkeys, peacocks, hinds, goats..) while tasting the (delicious) waffles prepared on the spot... An essential step in the visit of Nancy - especially since the Park is obviously labeled Remarkable Garden.
The Museum-Aquarium, a visit visit
The Museum-Aquarium is a real point of attraction for the city's inhabitants, tourists and the curious. Dating back to 1930, it now offers a dive into distant waters, with 57 aquariums of fresh water, tropical or temperate sea water and brackish water and about 300 species in total. Seahorses, clownfish, balloonfish or trumpetfish, eels, rays and flying scorpion fish, but also crustaceans, mollusks and plants, the waters of America, Africa, Asia, the Pacific or the Caribbean are represented. On the first floor, a zoological gallery of 400m2 exhibits nearly 600 specimens from the heritage collections. Butterflies, insects, mammals and the great shark or giant squid, naturalized and fossilized animals that will take you on a journey to the heart of historical eras and periods. Temporary exhibitions for young and old, conferences on nature and fun workshops are also organized. Sometimes the Museum-Aquarium even opens its doors in the evening, for special visits, concerts or special events (raclette evening for example)... Ask for more information!
Saint Nicolas, a magical holiday
Finally, all the people of Lorraine will tell you: Saint Nicholas is a sacred day - and the most beautiful parade is the one in Nancy. Because Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Lorraine and this character is strongly anchored in the history and traditions of the territory... And because finally, it's a bit like Christmas before Christmas, since the man goes around the schools to congratulate the good children by offering them gingerbread and chocolates - and the city is in celebration for a good ten days. So if you're in the area around the first weekend of December (December 3 and 4 this year), get ready to experience some magical moments. Street shows, animations, workshops, concerts, theater, Christmas markets, tastings of local products, artists' exhibitions... And, the highlight: a magnificent parade of floats, created by Nancy and its agglomeration weeks before. Impressive, magnificent, magical... Superlatives are lacking to describe the event. On the other hand, if you want to see it, you must arrive at least one hour in advance for the big parade of the evening, where nearly 150 000 spectators come every year. Not to be missed!
Smart info
When can you go? Of course, you can come to Nancy all year round. But to attend the festivities of St. Nicholas, go to the Lorraine city between November 18, 2022 and January 3, 2023. The weekend of Saint Nicolas will take place on December 3 and 4 (although the date of the festival is December 6).
How to get there. By plane (Metz-Nancy-Lorraine airport, 30 minutes away by car), by train (the train station is in the heart of the city), by bus (Ouibus or Eurolines) or by car (A31, A4 or RN4), everything is possible.
Find your flight at the best price - Compare
Rent your car at the best price - Compare
Useful. To prepare your trip to Nancy.
OFFICE DE TOURISME DU GRAND NANCY - More information on the website
SAINT NICOLAS FESTIVAL IN NANCY - More information on the website
Book your accommodation at the best conditions - Compare
Find a cultural or sport activity - Find
Get a tailor-made trip with a local agency - Request a free quote
