Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle)

Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle) mini guide

Located in north-east of France, Nancy was founded in the 11th century by Lorraine Duke, Gerard 1st. Nancy then became the capital of Lorraine in the 16th century. Stanislas, the former King of Poland and the Duke of Lorraine, made many beautiful places, which now belong to Unesco human heritage (more details in Places to Visit). In 1766, Nancy was passed to France after Stanislas' death. In 1871, many people migrated to Nancy when Germany annexed Northern Lorraine and from that point industry developed. To date, Nancy is the capital of the department Meurthe-et-Moselle and the city has a population of around 99000.

Things to do

The Nancy-Saint-Georges Marina is a big attraction and it welcomes nearly 2,000 boats from many different nationalities every year.

For holiday-makers, the Port’s main attraction is its exceptional situation in the centre of Nancy, only five minutes from the famous Place Stanislas. But Saint-Georges also has a wide range of facilities making it a very enjoyable port-of-call, the ideal spot to go exploring or just to relax for a while. The port is made up of Saint-Georges’ quay on one side of the canal, Sainte-Catherine’s on the other and is backed by green open spaces, with the Water Gardens nearby. The port is on the border between Nancy’s City-Centre/Charles III and Stanislas/Meurthe wards.

There are many activities that can be enjoyed along the waters edge including jogging, cycling and enjoying a gentle stroll around the Water Gardens.

In addition to the variety of shops the city offers, markets are held on Sundays, where local produce including fruit, vegetables as well as Middle Eastern products can be purchased.

Places of Interest

Place Stanislas - Considered the most beautiful royal square in Europe and high point of Nancy’s outstanding collection of 18thC monuments, on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the city of Nancy is known all over the world thanks to Place Stanislas. A magnificent example of Classical French architecture built by Emmanuel Héré, it is surrounded by finely worked railings with gold highlights designed and made by the wrought-iron worker Jean Lamour. The Square’s majestic fountains are by Barthélemy Guibal. Famous buildings surrounding the square include the City Hall, the Theatre-Opera House and the Fine Arts Museum.

Place d’Alliance - This 18th century square is alot smaller and more intimate than Pplace Stanislas, but is also UNESCO-listed. It was named in honour of the alliance between the Hapsburg House of Lorraine and the Royal House of France. A spectacular fountain occupies the middle of the square, Cyfflé’s copy of Bernini’s famous fountain in Piazza Navona in Rome.

Place de la Carriere - The third square forming part of the UNESCO-listed 18thC ensemble of buildings and monuments in Nancy, this square was originally laid out in the 16thC when it was used for jousting and tournaments, hence its name Carrière. It was redeveloped in the 18thC to create a more symmetrical perspective. At the entry of the square, two mansions face each other: Hôtel de Craon (today’s Court of Appeal) and the Bourse de Commerce (today’s Administrative Tribunal). The Palais du Gouvernement sits across at the other end and this is framed by two semicircular colonnades decorated with antique gods.

Triumphal Arch - celebrates King Louis XV as victor and peacemaker and is decorated with a medallion of the king.

The Cathedrale - Built at the beginning of the 18thC, the Cathedrale was designed by the architects Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Germain Boffrand. As with Place Stanislas, the railings are by Jean Lamour and the cupola was painted by Jacquard.

Saint-Sebastian's Church - Saint Sebastian’s Church was built in the 18thC to plans for a hall-church with an incurved facade inspired by that of Saint Agnes in Rome. It overlooks a very lively open-air market.

Notre-Dame de Bonsecours Church - When the Battle of Nancy came to an end, thousands of corpses were buried in a vast ditch near the Jarville stream. In 1484, a priest obtained Duke René II’s permission to build a chapel and a hermitage there. The sanctuary, named Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours by the Duke, was sometimes called the Church of Our Lady of Victory and the Kings.

Other places of interest include The Craffe Gate, The Citadelle Gate, The Duke's Palace, The Church of the Cordeliers, Haussonville Mansion, The Ferraris Mansion and Saint-Epvre’s Basilica and Square, all of which are located in the older part of the town.