The ensemble of three squares in the city of Nancy. Nancy is a small city with a big history. Attractions and entertainment

Nancy is a small city with a lot of history in Nancy in the north-west of France. A little more than 100,000 people live here. Previously it was the capital of the Principality of Lorraine, and its history goes back to the distant 18th century BC. due to large deposits of iron ore near the Meurthe River, on which the town stands. At the beginning of the 12th century, the wooden city was burned to the ground, after which it was built again, but from stone. Since then it has become the capital of the principality. The unattractive city blossomed when Louis XV sent the exiled Polish king Stanislaw Leszczynski here to rule, under whom the city literally “exploded” with the culture of Baroque and architecture. By the way, the central square was named in honor of the Polish king, which after reconstruction was opened by Jacques Chirac himself in 2005 and which is included in the list of UNESCO sites. By the way, Nancy, as an integral part of Lorraine, several times became part of Prussia, then returned to its ancestor - the great and powerful country of France.

Nancy. Heritage

Some of the main attractions of Nancy are the Nancy Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine. Also, our hero city is called the “capital of the east”, since it was here that the entire cultural life of the entire region took place. In terms of development of art and creativity, the city competed with the capital, the glorious city of Paris, due to the incredible number of talented people who turned the dull gray eastern town into a real masterpiece city. This is mainly the merit of the Ecole de Nancy, under the leadership of Emile Galle, who gathered around him a group of artists and architects. The local museum has a huge exhibition of Caravaggio's works. The close proximity of other countries could not but affect the cultural content of the local museum. There are many museums in Nancy with completely different themes, for example, there is a museum of crystals, some of which can still be seen in the remains of the city fortifications.

Who made Nancy famous throughout the world?

Despite its rich culture, Nancy managed to become famous throughout Europe for its sporting successes. Thus, Michel Platini, the current FIFA president and three-time winner of the Ballon d'Or nomination, began his career here, more than once bringing national trophies to his city. Arsene Wenger, the world-famous manager of London's Arsenal football club, was also born and raised here, and also played for the city's namesake football club. It must be assumed that all of France is grateful to the small eastern town for these talented people. Nancy is also known in the world of sports for its basketball club, which is constantly among the leaders of the championship.

In general, many, many famous people in France began their life journey from here. This is what attracts tourists to the city today. The numbers speak for themselves: about 60% of city income comes from tourism. Only on the occasion of the feast of St. Nicholas, more than 100,000 tourists from all countries gather here. The fireworks show on Place Stanislas attracts several tens of thousands of tourists, and the street parade attracts over 150,000. Many world-famous people came to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the old city, breathe in its history and gain inspiration. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the cradle of the French Art Nouveau genre, which is so in harmony with the fantastic architecture of the city.

Small, very cozy and beautiful city Nancy is conveniently located in the north-east of France at the intersection of railway lines to Paris, Strasbourg and Luxembourg. Although getting to Nancy from these cities is not difficult, you can read about how to do this in our article, Nancy itself is by no means spoiled by the attention of tourists, but in vain, because there is something to see here.

Nancy, unlike Metz, was not occupied by Prussia in the 19th century, which allowed it to retain its original appearance. Perhaps this is the most “French” city in Lorraine. Nancy has preserved its ancient narrow streets and majestic buildings, designed in the style of early French classicism. Add to this the clean air, the aroma of flowers wafting from the parks and gardens, and you will have just the perfect destination for a trip for one or two days. If you want to stay in the city for the night, you can book a suitable hotel and view various accommodation offers using this link.

We hope that after reading our article about the main attractions of Nancy, you will decide to visit this city and have a good time there. What should you definitely pay attention to in this city?

Stanislav Square

Place Stanislas is by far the main attraction of Nancy. This spectacular square, built in the late Baroque style, is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. It’s hard to imagine that at the end of the 20th century it was used as a parking lot, and became completely pedestrian only after the restoration of 2003-2005. On the square there are cafes, several shops, two beautiful fountains “Neptune” and “Amphitrite”, the Arc de Triomphe (or Arch of Ere), the opera house (Opéra national de Lorraine), the city council building, the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) , as well as a tourist office, where you can get information about excursions around the city (many are equipped with a guide on English language) and take it for free detailed map Nancy. It is worth noting that the ensemble of three Nancy squares: Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d’Alliance is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Every year, from mid-July to mid-September, every evening a light show, Rendez-vous place Stanislas, is staged on the walls of the buildings flanking Stanislas Square. This show is a great reason to stay in the city until dark.

Old town and Kraff gate

In the center of Nancy, several ancient streets have been preserved, where there are many cafes, restaurants, small shops and pastry shops. Be sure to walk along Rue Saint-Epvre, Rue des Dames, Rue Saint-Michel, Rue des Maréchaux and the most important Grande Rue, this street ends at the Craffe Gate (La Porte de la Craffe), the construction of which dates back to the 14th century.


Pepiniere Park (Parc de la Pépinière) is a public park located in the city center, near Stanislas Square, a favorite recreation spot for locals and tourists. It is located on the territory of the former royal nursery, now it contains a rose garden, a music venue, several cafes, a mini-golf course, a football field, children's and sports grounds, several carousels for the youngest visitors and a small free zoo. The zoo's inhabitants include deer, peacocks, macaques, rabbits, poultry and several species of very friendly goats and donkeys. The park is open daily from 6.30 to 20.00 in winter and from 6.30 to 22.30 in summer.

Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine and Franciscan Church (Museum of Lorraine)

The Lorraine Museum is located at 64 Grande Rue. It is located in the former palace of the Dukes of Lorraine (Palais des Ducs de Lorraine), a Renaissance building. By purchasing a ticket to the Lorraine Museum, you can visit another attraction of Nancy - the Church of the Franciscans (Église Saint-François-des-Cordeliers), built at the end of the 15th century, where all the Dukes of Lorraine are buried. The Cordillera Museum, located next to the church, displays folk art, household utensils and handicrafts. The Lorraine Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 18.00, ticket price is 6 euros.

Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) is located on Place Stanislas. In the museum you can see paintings from the 14th to 20th centuries. Among the exhibits of the 19th century collection, works by Eugene Delacroix, Signac and Bonnard, Manet and Monet stand out, and the 20th century collection includes paintings by Matisse, Modigliani and Picasso. In the basement of the museum, where city fortifications from the 15th to 17th centuries have been preserved, glass from the Daum factory is exhibited - an excellent example of Art Nouveau art. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00, the entrance ticket costs 7 euros.

Nancy Cathedral

Nancy Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Annonciation et Saint-Sigisbert) is located 250 meters south of Place Stanislas. Built in the 18th century, it is an impressive building that is worth visiting to admire the painted dome, stained glass windows and large organ by the Du Pont brothers.

Basilica of Saint Apra

The Basilica of Saint-Epvre is located just 200 meters north of Place Stanislas. This church was built in the neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century. The height of the church tower is 87 meters; it is worth looking inside the basilica to admire the 74 stained glass windows and, if you are lucky, listen to organ music.

For lovers of Art Nouveau style: the Museum of the School of Nancy and the Sorup quarter

Art Nouveau is the French name for the Art Nouveau style that was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Nancy there was a whole school of decorators who worked in this style. At 36-38 rue du Sergent Blandan is the Nancy School Museum (Musée de l’École de Nancy), which exhibits unique examples of furniture and decorative arts.

The Saurupt quarter is built up with beautiful mansions in the Art Nouveau style. This place will definitely appeal to all architecture lovers; you can walk along its streets endlessly, looking at the fancy details on the houses around. Detailed information and routes for exploring all the Art Nouveau buildings located in Nancy can be obtained from the city's tourist office.

Basilica of Notre Dame de Lourdes

The Basilica of Notre Dame de Lourdes was built relatively recently, at the beginning of the 20th century. The church, made in a combination of neo-Gothic and Romanesque styles, stands out from the surrounding buildings due to its high tower. It is worth going inside the basilica to explore the numerous stained glass windows and view the biblical stories painted on the marble columns.

Botanical Garden of Monte

The Botanical Garden of Montet (Jardin botanique du Montet) is located in the suburb of Villers-le-Nancy. Easily reached from the center of Nancy in 25 minutes by tram number 1. The garden contains more than 12 thousand plants and flowers from all over the world. Admission is free, with the exception of the tropical greenhouses, which cost 5 euros to visit. The opening hours of the botanical garden can be found here.

We hope that the sights of Nancy have interested you!

Having covered hundreds of kilometers, the plane with tourists finally lands on the fertile French soil. We bet you can immediately guess what city they landed in? Of course, in Paris - in this treasury of world history and architecture. Having taken dozens of shots of the Eiffel Tower, at Notre Dame Cathedral, not sparing your legs to overcome the treacherous steps of Montmartre, finding yourself at the foot of the Sacre Coeur and, turning back, any tourist will freeze with delight. Below him, the French capital spread out like a carpet. This is happiness!

Former capital of Lorraine - Nancy

In fact, this is a small piece of it, because France is so big. Although by the standards of Moscow, it is only 250 times larger than the main Russian metropolis. A 1.5-hour drive from the proud city of Paris is an ancient town, which, in terms of its origins, can compete with many cities in the world. And its name is so soft, caressing the ear of any football fan. Can you guess what city it is? This is Nancy! Since you have deigned to take the train from the Gare de l'Est in Paris, then be prepared to meet the beauty that they represent sights of Nancy. France in all its diversity awaits you, guest!

Once in the city, you need to decide which part of it to go to. To the Old, where the streets are not even and wide, but are rich in ancient buildings, or to the New - spacious and bright. Any resident of Nancy would recommend starting to explore the city from its central part. Yes, in principle, this will already be enough to cover the most remarkable objects of the city, and there are quite a few of them.

The center of the city is the spectacular Place Stanislas, which city residents adore, quite rightly considering it the most beautiful in the world, and affectionately calling it Place Stan. Yes, it would become a worthy decoration of any metropolis, so for the province, which is what Nancy is, it is simply magnificent.

How lucky the city is that Stanislav Leszczynski - the King of Poland, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and the last Duke of Lorraine - decided to build a square in honor of his father-in-law, the French King Louis XV. The Duke had been the owner of the Lorraine lands since 1737, having received them during the union of Lorraine and France, and ordered Emmanuel Eray (the main architect of the duchy since 1738) to design the Royal Square.

central square

The territory was chosen only for the third time, since in the first case the military did not approve of the place, and in the second they wanted to demolish the old market square for the sake of it, but the merchants decisively intervened in the matter. Then they chose a vacant lot that no one wanted, in order, so to speak, to please all segments of society. Work began in 1752, and three years later the object was ready.

The area of ​​the square is 106 by 124 meters. Many of its structures were personally sponsored by Stanislav Leshchinsky. For example, a huge bronze sculpture, standing on a pedestal, allegorically symbolizing the king and his power, was commissioned and paid for by the duke. However, during the Great French Revolution, the monument was demolished and Royal Square was renamed People's Square. At the site of the bronze monument, a sculpture representing Victory stood for some time, and then a monument to Napoleon Bonaparte was erected in its place. But since the 1820s, the center of the square, later called La Place Stanislas, has been decorated with a full-length bronze statue of Stanislav Leszczynski.

One after another, beautiful buildings appeared, the author of which was also Emmanuel Eray:

  • Bishop's Palace (now home to the National Opera House);
  • Medical College (now the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses works by French artists);
  • City Hall.

Town Hall and Opera House

The town hall, built in the same way as La Place Stanislas in the 18th century, occupies its southern part. Today the mayor's office sits there. This beautiful building in the classicist style is decorated in the central part of the pediment with the coats of arms of Stanislav Leszczynski and the city of Nancy. At the top there is an original clock with statues-symbols of Justice and Prudence; along the entire length of the building on the first two floors there are beautiful arched windows and graceful balconies with wrought iron railings. The pride of the interior of the Town Hall is a luxurious staircase with black and gold railings and a flight of stairs, which was painted by the painter Jean Girardet.

It is noteworthy that the Nancy Town Hall has been used for light and sound shows for several years in a row. A giant screen is installed on its façade, onto which certain scenes are projected within the framework of the Festival of Lights theme.

Next door to the Town Hall is the Lorraine Opera House, founded in 1753. At first the building belonged to the archbishop, and it became a theater later, when the Comedy Theater burned down, and all performances began to be held in the current Opera House.

Arch of Ere

The northern side of Stanislaus Square is decorated with the spectacular Arc de Triomphe or Arch of Ere. It was built on the site of the former Royal Gate. And although the military opposed its construction, Stanislav Leshchinsky insisted on the importance of this facility. After all, it, like the arch of Septimius Severus, was supposed to become the personification of the great deeds of the ruler. The arch in Nancy was built in honor of King Louis XV and the Peace of Aachen in 1748, as evidenced by the marble plaques on it.

The arch is decorated with military-themed decor, statues of ancient gods (among which Apollo playing music is an allegorical figure of Louis XV), as well as a lead medallion depicting the French king. This is how Leshchinsky immortalized his royal relative in the memory of the people, by becoming related to him, he later became the grandfather of the French rulers. Standing with your back to the City Hall and the monument to Stanislav Leszczynski, and looking forward at the Arch of Ere, you will have a wonderful perspective of the Government Palace, in which the Governor of Lorraine formerly sat.

Decor of Stanislav Square

Stanislav Square is decorated with gilded lanterns made in the workshop of Jean Lamour. Black and gold, they look incredibly beautiful in bright sunlight and very impressive in evening illumination. By the way, the combination of black and gold is repeated several times in the color scheme of the square. The black, seemingly transparent, forged Royal Hedge along the entire perimeter of the square is decorated with a gold patterned frame: coats of arms and a sign of royal power - the crown - rises above the Hedge Gate. A soft light flows from hanging gilded lanterns, as if inviting travelers to take a stroll into the city's main square.

Water, as a symbol of all living and infinite things, is present in the interior of the square. These are two luxurious fountains made by the sculptor Barthelemy Gubal. They are installed just next to the gilded gates, with which they harmonize unusually well. The fountains are made in the Rococo style and are dedicated to two mythological characters: the god of the seas and water streams - Neptune, and his wife, the goddess of the sea - Amphitrite.

Place Stanislas is in a “close community” with two other squares of Nancy - Place de la Carriere (Arena Square) and Place d'Alliance (Alliance Square). They are connected to each other by the Arch of Ere and semicircular colonnades.

La Place Stanislas, paved with light cobblestones, is only suitable for walking. True, previously it was even allowed to park there. In the 1980s it was reconstructed, paved as in the time of the Duke, and now it is exclusively pedestrian. In 1983, it was declared a World Heritage Site under the protection of UNESCO.

Other attractions of Nancy

  • To the east of the main square is Aquamuseum, which features stuffed animals, birds, and also contains an aquarium with exofish;
  • Nancy Cathedral(1703-1766), the project of which was started by Giovanni Betto and finalized by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, who participated in the construction of the Cathedral of the Invalides in Paris and the church in Versailles;
  • Lorraine Museum created in 1848 by the Society of Archaeologists, and it is located in the palace of the Dukes of Lorraine;
  • Church of the Cordeliers(1477-1487), where the tombs of the Dukes of Lorraine are located;
  • Porte de la Craft gate– an ancient fortification, dating back to the 14th century, withstood the attacks of Charles the Bold himself;
  • Museum of the Nancy School dedicated to the art nouveau movement, located in the former mansion of the wealthy collector Eugene Corbin.

Built for relaxation and entertainment in Nancy Pepinier Park, which is located near Stanislav Square and the Aqua Museum. On its territory there is a menagerie, a rose garden, golf courses, children's and sports grounds, sculptures and gazebos. But what is most striking is the number of plantings, because once on the site of the park there was a plant nursery (in French - pépinière), by the way, also founded by Leshchinsky I. Walking through it will be one of the most wonderful moments spent in the ancient French city.

Especially for Liliya-Travel.RU – Anna Lazareva

) is the capital of Lorraine - it looks “lighter” and “more southerly” in comparison with neighboring Metz, with its relatively well-preserved center of the 18th century, which owes its appearance to the last independent ruler of Lorraine Stanislav Leszczynski, overthrown by the Polish king and father-in-law of Louis XV. The twenty years of his reign in the mid-18th century became a period of successful urban construction.

The central Stanislav Square, a remarkably elegant and partially enclosed area at the far end of Stanislav Street, on the south side of which is the Town Hall with a roof topped with flower vases and slanting lanterns that hang from gilded teardrops. On the west side of the square is the excellent Museum of Fine Arts (Monday and Wednesday-Sunday 10.00-18.00), which boasts works by Caravaggio, Dufy, Modigliani and Matisse.

A little further north at 64 Grand Rue there is the Lorraine Museum (Monday and Wednesday-Sunday 10.00-12.30 and 14.00-18.00), dedicated to the history of this region. The museum has a very interesting hall of engravings and etchings by the artist Jacques Callot (17th century), whose work is characterized by social themes, which in many ways anticipated the art trends of the 18th-19th centuries. From here it is a 20-minute walk to the Nancy School Museum, or Ecole de Nancy, at rue Sergent Blandan, 36-38 (Wednesday-Sunday 10.30-18.00) with a collection of furniture and furnishings in the Art Nouveau style (as was customary in private homes ).

Arrival, accommodation and meals in Nancy

The train station in Nancy is located at the end of Rue Stanislas, a 5-minute walk from the square of the same name, where there is also a travel agency (Monday-Saturday 9.00-18.00/19.00, Sunday 10.00-13.00/17.00). Among the inexpensive hotels is Poincare, at 81 rue Raymond Poincare, west of the station. Hostel at Center d'Accueil, Chateau de Remicourt, Villers-les-Nancy (bus 126 to St-Fiacre).

Nancy is a fairly small but cute city located in eastern France in the Lorraine region. When I first arrived in Nancy, I thought that there was absolutely nothing to do in the city. But after studying it, I realized that it’s quite interesting place and there is always something to do here.

Despite the fact that Nancy is small in size and tourists most likely have not even heard of it, it has a rich history and culture. The regions of Alsace and Lorraine belonged either to France or to Germany at different periods of time, until it was finally assigned to France after World War II.

In addition to the above, I would like to point out that Nancy is a student city: more than 47,000 students study here. The campuses of the University of Lorraine are located in Nancy and Metz and unite universities such as the University of Nancy I, the University of Nancy II, the University of Paul Verlaine, the National Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine and the University of Architecture. In addition, the university has historically developed connections and cooperation with Eastern Europe.

I met many interesting people and friends from different countries and cultures here. The presence of such large quantity students creates a lively, energetic atmosphere in the city. It is an excellent location for student exchange programs (eg Erasmus).

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Nancy from Moscow or St. Petersburg is to fly to Paris and from there by train from the Eastern Station (Paris Gare de l'Est) or by bus (Eurolines) to Nancy.

By plane

Aeroflot and Air France fly direct to Paris from Moscow and St. Petersburg. You can find all sorts of options, including transfers, which in most cases are much cheaper than direct flights. The transfer takes place in Zurich, Frankfurt am Main or Helsinki, and such flights last from 6 to 16 hours. On average, flights to Paris start from 10 thousand rubles in both directions during the off-season.

Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport is a small regional airport that accepts both regional flights (Lille, Mediterranean coast) and international flights (Algeria, Morocco, Greece).

It is located 30 km north of Nancy. You can get from Metz-Nancy-Lortarguin airport to Nancy by bus, which will cost you 8 EUR and will take about an hour. A more detailed schedule can be viewed.

By train

The city has two large railway stations:

  • Gare de Nancy Ville station;
  • Gare Lorraine-TGV station for high-speed electric trains (20 km).

Gare de Nancy Ville station - historical place. It is located in the very center of the city, in its heart and connects Nancy with the main major cities. More detailed information information about directions and prices can be found.

Main railway lines:

  • - Nancy: 1 hour 30 minutes travel time by high-speed electric train. Trains run several times a day every day;
  • - Nancy: 1 hour 15 minutes on the way;
  • - Nancy: 2 hours 30 minutes on the way;
  • - Nancy: 4 hours travel;
  • Luxembourg (city) - Nancy: 1 hour 30 minutes travel time.

Gare Laurent-TGV station is located 20 km north of Nancy. This station is served only by high-speed electric trains on the TGV Est high-speed line, which connects to Strasbourg. The railway line includes stations in the north-west of France, as well as various high-speed train stations in the Paris region (such as international Airport Charles de Gaulle). If you need to get from Nancy to Charles de Gaulle Airport, you can first take a bus that will take you to the Gare Laurens-TJV station, and then take a train to the airport. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and is, in my opinion, a fairly convenient option.

For bus schedules, ticket prices and booking information, see the company's website.

By bus

International bus organizations are operated by Eurolines, which provides travel throughout Europe at fairly affordable prices (see website for details). Buses usually stop in Nancy at Porte Saint-Catherine, next to the harbour.

By ferry

The city has a Marne-Rhine canal that small boats and barges are allowed to navigate. There is an opportunity to leave your boats at the Porte Saint-Georges port. This place is conveniently located in the eastern part of the city, five hundred meters from Place Stanislas.

Clue:

Nancy - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 2

Kazan 2

Samara 3

Ekaterinburg 4

Novosibirsk 6

Vladivostok 9

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Summer is vacation time in France. At this time, the cities are empty, as the French set off to conquer other countries, and the students go home. Nancy is no exception. However, you can take advantage of this and enjoy the city and region without the crowds of tourists. The weather in summer is excellent - sunny and warm.


In autumn the city fills with people again. Students begin their studies, life returns to normal. In autumn, Nancy hosts various music festivals, so music lovers are welcome!

Many people associate winter with holidays. Nancy is no exception. The city turns into a Christmas fairy tale, it is decorated with lights, and the Christmas tree is lit in the main square. And, of course, the Christmas market, which is a must see, where, I think, you simply must try the mulled wine and local food.

In Nancy, calendar spring coincides with actual spring. March is already warm and sunny. In addition, in April every year there is a fair (La foire), where you can go on rides and try a wide variety of food.

Nancy weather by month

Clue:

Nancy weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Nancy is a small and safe city. I propose to live here in the area that I have outlined on the map below. Although any point in the city will suit you, since the distances are short.

But I still advise you to stay within the city limits and not to go into the suburbs (Laxou, Vandeuvre, Maxeville, Tomblain): there is nothing interesting for tourists there, and you can’t predict in advance what adventures you might find.

The division into districts in the city is arbitrary and does not provide practical information for tourists, since Nancy is a small settlement.

What are the prices for holidays?

You can book a hotel in Nancy for every taste and budget at, or stay in an apartment and use the services. The cost of housing can be compared.

Hotel prices depend on the season and category, but on average vary from 50 EUR and above. Since Nancy is a small city and all the main attractions are within walking distance, you can stay in any part of the city without worrying that you are far from the center.

A meal will cost you on average 15-18 EUR, and a hearty meal in a good restaurant for two people can cost 60 EUR.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

The tourist office of the city of Nancy is located on the main square of the city, Place Stanislas, in the city hall.

Office hours: from January to March from 10:00 to 18:00, from April to October from 10:00 to 18:30, from November to September from 10:00 to 18:00.

Although Nancy is small, it has a number of interesting museums, concert venues, architectural monuments and natural attractions. Now I will tell you about some in more detail.

Top 5

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Please note: On the first Sunday of every month, admission to the above-mentioned museums is free. During a free visit, you cannot use audio guides.

Parks

  • Botanical Garden of Monte. The greenhouses are open daily from 14:00 to 16:45. The 70-acre botanical garden is one of the most beautiful in the country. It is located on the western outskirts of Nancy. Entrance to the park is free, entry to the greenhouses costs 4 EUR. Address: 54600, Villers-les-Nancy, rue du Jardin Botanique, 100. You need to take bus 134-135, going in the direction of the Stanislav Academy, to final stop. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 24:00, Saturday, Sunday from 14:00 to 17:00.

Music, dance and opera

  • National Opera of Lorraine. Address: rue Sainte-Catherine 1. Ticket prices range from 7 to 59 EUR. The Opera House is located in one of the eastern pavilions of Place Stanislas. As far as I know, this is where most opera concerts take place. It is best to reserve seats in advance. You can also purchase tickets 20 minutes before the performance for 5 EUR.
  • Hall Poirel(Salle Poirel). Address: rue Victor Poirel, 3. It has a medium-sized hall where concerts of both classical and popular music are held.

Theater

There are two theaters in Nancy:

Tourist streets

I would highlight the following streets. It’s not that they are full of attractions, but in these places you can have an interesting or tasty time:

  • Rue Saint-Jean is a street where many shops and cinemas are located.
  • Rue des Maréchaux - Numerous restaurants are located here.

What to see in 1 day

I suggest visiting the sights in this order in 1 day:

  • 10:00 - Stanislas Square. We walk, look, we admire.
  • 11:00 - Museum of Fine Arts.
  • 13:00 - Parc Pepinier (you can take lunch with you, buy takeaway food or go have lunch somewhere nearby).
  • 15:00 - Museum of History.
  • 17:00 - Opera, if there is any concert.
  • 20:00 - 21:00 - Dinner.

What to see in the area

  • Metz, another capital of Lorraine (55 km from Nancy).

  • Luneville, home of King Stanislaus, massive castle (35 km from Nancy).
  • Saint Nicholas de Port- a small neighboring town, the location of a huge cathedral dedicated to St. Nicholas. There is also a brewery museum located inside a former brewery (19 km from Nancy).
  • Luxembourg- the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is just 90 minutes by train (126 km from Nancy).

  • - capital of Alsace (154 km from Nancy).

Food. What to try

The city has a couple of good bookstores and some great local delicacies:


  • Bergamot.
  • Mirabelle plums and products made from them.
  • Macaron cookies.

The first place to eat that comes to my mind is rue des Marechaux, which locals call Gourmande. This little street is absolutely packed with restaurants of all kinds. You'll find a variety of eateries serving French (surprise!), Chinese, Cuban cuisine and nightlife spots with varying levels of service.

There are small bakeries and delis scattered throughout the city. There are many kebabs and restaurants with oriental cuisine near Rue Saint Nicolas.

At the covered market on rue St. Dizier you can find fresh vegetables and fruits, a couple of butcher shops, a shop selling tripe and one shop selling fresh seafood (there is quite a large selection, you can even buy octopus!), plus In addition, there are also a couple of small restaurants.

Mid-level

  • Le 27 Gebeta(Le 27 Gambetta). Address: rue Gambetta, 27, east of Place Stanislas. A fashionable restaurant with a seasonal menu.
  • Cafe Foy(Café Foy) on Place Stanislas. The restaurant is located directly on Place Stanislas, the outdoor veranda is located there, and inside you can sit on any of the two floors. Great location, great food, a little pricey.
  • LaPetiteKuer(La Petite Cuillere). Address: Grande rue. This is a quaint restaurant with traditional French fare. There you will find friendly English speaking staff, a great atmosphere and divine food. An order of three courses costs 24 EUR, two - 20 EUR.
  • Voyou located next to Place Stanislas at 20 Rue Stanislas and serves the best burger in the city. The average bill is around 20 EUR and includes a burger, served with fries, and a drink.
  • Les Freres Marchand founded by the Marchand brothers and located on Grande rue 99. The restaurant offers excellent traditional dishes of the region, and for cheese lovers there is the opportunity to buy the variety you like.

Expensive

  • Brasri Excelsor(Brasserie L "Excelsior). Address: rue Henri-Poincaré, 50. Luxurious old restaurant located near the tram stop. You need to visit it just to see the interior. Restaurant with traditional French cuisine. The food is delicious , but not cheap: a three-course order costs 30 EUR. Excellent wine list. The restaurant is also famous for its delicacies, such as veal steak. If you do not want to spend big money in a restaurant, you can go to Excelsor for a cup of coffee and enjoy the beautiful interior. .

  • She Tanzi- Le Gastrolâtre (Chez Tanesy - Le Gastrolâtre). Address: Grande rue, 23. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays. This tiny gastronomic establishment is run by semi-retired Patrick Tanzi, former No. 1 in the Michelin Red Guide (the Red Guide is the most famous and influential restaurant rating). Although the chef can be a little grumpy at times, he remains an excellent cook. The restaurant serves traditional French and Provençal dishes. Wonderful wine list. Patrick Tanzi's chocolate dessert with olives is something everyone should try. A full lunch will cost about 40 EUR.
  • A la Table du Beau Roy Stanislas(A la Table du Bon Roi Stanislas). Address: rue Gustave Simon, 7, behind Place Stanislas. Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays at noon and Sunday evenings. The restaurant is not very good High Quality. The cuisine is traditional from the Lorraine region and Polish. The menu includes dishes based on those served at the court of King Stanislas. Three courses cost 20 EUR, a full lunch - 40 EUR.

Safety. What to watch out for

Nancy is a fairly safe city, but you need to know and take into account some points.

It's best to avoid suburbs such as Vandoevre, which has a reputation for high tension. There is little of interest to tourists there, so it is best to avoid these places.

Emergency numbers:

  • Police 17.
  • Fire service 18.
  • Ambulance 15.
  • The European emergency number 112 must be called from mobile phones.

When talking to local residents, I strongly ask: do not compare Nancy with the neighboring city of Metz. For many centuries, cities have competed with each other for various political reasons. Both cities compete for the title of capital of Lorraine, and this sometimes causes conflicts. As an example, the situation when in 1970 the administration of Lorraine was moved from Nancy to Metz. There was a bit of a scandal back then, and some people are still angry about it.

Things to do

If you combine a trip to Nancy with other cities, then feel free to allocate no more than one day for it. What to do with it, I wrote above. The city has a very convenient location - you can go from here to Switzerland or Belgium, or continue your journey through France. Nancy is a wonderful city for walking and having a good time. You can just walk around the city, go on a picnic or go to the pool on a hot day.

Bars. Where to go

Nancy has its fair share of Irish pubs, wine bars, cafes and other places to drink.

The nightlife, thanks to the many students, is quite vibrant. However, during the summer holidays it declines slightly. The main night spots are in the Old Town and near Place Stanislas.

  • Le Chtimi(Le Ch"timi) on Place Saint-Evre (opposite the cathedral). Special beers.
  • Le Mcarty(Le McCarthy). Address: rue Guerrier de Dumast, 6. This is an Irish pub, open until 05:00. There is billiards.
  • LeFrereBerto(Les Frères Berthom). Address: rue Stanislas, 5, next to the western entrance to Place Stanislas. Opening hours from 15:00 to 02:00. Specialty beers, especially Belgian ones.
  • Le Medieval(Le Medieval). Address: rue Saint Michel, 27a. Irish pub with live Irish music twice a month.
  • Le Cyrano(Le Cyrano) - wine bar. Address: Grand rue. Price per glass - 2-4 EUR.
  • LeQueensA pub(Le Queen's Pub). Address: Place Stanislas, 5.
  • Opera Cafe(Opera café). Address: Terrace de la pépinière, 5. Specialty and imported beer.

Clubs and nightlife

If you need more than just a drink and relaxation and want to wear yourself out at night, then I recommend rue Mouilleron, west of the train station, next to the Chat Noir nightclub.

I will give you a list of establishments, and check the details yourself on the Internet or upon arrival:

  • Le Cha Noir(Le Chat Noir). Address: rue Jeanne d'Arc, 63.
  • Lanver(L"Envers). Address: General Hoche street (rue du Géneral Hoche), 1b.
  • LaPlas(La Place). Address: Place Stanislas, 7.
  • LeCircus(Le Circus). Address: rue Jean Mermoz, 42.
  • Lo(L"O) (located on a ship located on the Canal) Address: Sant Catherine.

How to get around the city

The easiest and best way to get around the city is on foot. All attractions are located close to each other, in the center, and it is not difficult to reach them. For example, to walk from the train station to Porta Sainte-Catherine, you will need 20 minutes. Many streets are for pedestrians only.

Public transport

The local public transport system is operated by the Nancy Transport Service (STAN). Street coverage is good, but some other cities in France the size of Nancy are better. However, local public transport is still convenient for getting around in Greater Nancy, between the center and the suburbs.

Bike

There are approximately 130 km of safe bicycle paths throughout Greater Nancy. The bicycle is an excellent means of transportation in the spring and summer (and much less excellent in the winter).

There is a place in the city called VélOstan, where you can rent bicycles for both long-term and short-term rent.

Short-term rental is called Velostanlib (VélOstan "lib), the rental process itself is similar to rental in other cities of France. Cyclists can take a bicycle and ride it around more than 25 points of the city. To use the service, you will need to pay for it (Visa / MC cards are accepted /French CB).The price is very low:

  • One-day ticket: 1 EUR, the next half hour of travel is free, from 30 to 60 minutes of use 1 EUR and every subsequent half hour 2 EUR.
  • Ticket for 7 days: costs 2 EUR, and then the prices are the same as for the previous ticket.

30 minutes is more than enough if you do not plan to move away from the city center.

But keep in mind that you must have 150 EUR on your card, which is blocked while using the bike.

Long-term rental is called Velostan "boutic". Those who wish can rent bicycles and the necessary additional accessories for a period of up to 12 months. The price varies from 2 EUR for half a day to 80 EUR for the whole year. In some cases, a reduction in cost is possible. There are 5 shops in the city , one at the city's main railway station (exit at Place Thiers).

If you're staying in the city enough that you need your own bike, you can find cheap used bikes at Atelier Dynamo 35 Grande rue, a small shared workshop. Membership can be very cheap - as much as 15 EUR per year (for students), and you can buy used bicycles for 25 EUR or more.

Taxi. What features exist

Local authorities set rates, which may vary depending on the destination or time of day. You can’t catch a car on the street; you need to either order one or go to a taxi rank. The price depends on the distance, and taxis always have a meter. You can pay by credit card, but it is better to discuss this option in advance when ordering a taxi.

Trams

There is a tram line in the city, but the trains that travel along it are more like a cross between a tram and a trolleybus; in France they are called trams on tires. This public transport was created with the goal of replacing outdated trolleybuses, but quickly became boring due to problems that arose from the very beginning. technical problems. The sad fate of trams on tires has already become the subject of jokes and anecdotes among city residents.

Trams run from five in the morning until midnight, and on Saturdays and during holidays, public transport leaves much to be desired.

If you went somewhere by bus, you can buy a ticket (1.50 EUR) directly from the driver, and if you went by tram, then at each stop you will have to use special machines. Be sure to bring some change with you because these machines do not accept paper bills. And the only ones credit cards, which they recognize - European cards with a chip.

Tickets are valid for one hour. If you plan to spend a lot of time in Greater Nancy, it may make sense to buy Pass 10 (price 9 EUR) or Pass Decouverte 24h (price 3.30 EUR). The latter is valid for 24 hours, the number of trips is unlimited.

Buses

The city also has a developed bus network; you can buy a ticket (1.50 Euro) directly from the driver.

There are two Transport Service offices in the city, where you can get acquainted with routes and transport schedules, buy tickets or get the necessary information:

  • Espace Transport (Station Gare de Nécy Ville), Place de la République.
  • Agence STAN, rue du Docteur Schmitt.

Transport rental

There are several underground parking lots in the center, including three Park and Ride parking lots on the outskirts of the city. The latter are operated by the Transport Company of Nancy (STAN).

You can view car rental conditions and prices, for example.

The city streets are narrow and not suitable for large traffic flows. Local authorities are actively fighting the use of cars within the historic city center, and therefore many streets have been made exclusively pedestrian, and also created a whole labyrinth of one-way streets. Surface parking is rare and very expensive. If you can, try to avoid driving within the city.

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Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

So, you are in France. Of course, the first days you rush through the streets of Paris, taking hundreds of photographs: the Eiffel Tower in my palm, I blow the Eiffel Tower off my palm, I take the Eiffel Tower with two fingers. You rush through the 42-kilometer corridors of the Louvre, cry with delight and the dazzlingly bright sun on the Alexander Bridge. But a week has passed, and rumors begin to reach you that Paris is only part of a huge, colorful country full of surprises. And small. Literally an hour's ride from Paris by comfortable train is a town that can rival any metropolis in terms of the number of historical shocks. We are talking about Nancy.

How to get there

To come to Nancy from Paris, take the train at the Gare de l'Est (travel time - 1.5 hours), the journey from Strasbourg is the same 1.5 hours, from Metz - only 35 minutes, from Lyon - 4 hours, from Luxembourg - 1.5-2 hours.

The central railway station of Nancy is located in the Gare Quarter, south of the Old Town and west of the New Town, approximately 800 m southwest of Place Stanislas.

You can also get there by car - along the A31 Bon - Dijon - Nancy - Metz highway, passing near Nancy.

Search for flights to Paris (closest airport to Nancy)

Weather in Nancy

A little history

Fans of world football, of course, nod their heads importantly: they say, we know, we know a football club with the same name - “Nancy”, champions of the French Cup and the French League! But they are unlikely to know the fact that the city for a long time changed its territorial affiliation and only when the governments of France and Germany finally agreed to consider Nancy French, the residents breathed a sigh of relief, raising the flag of the Duchy of Lorraine over the city walls. True, under the leadership of the former Polish monarch, who dreamed of becoming related to the French kings. It must be said that Mr. Stanislav took the responsibilities entrusted to him responsibly and spent a lot of effort on the development of the city. Therefore, now many of the sights of Nancy have international status and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Fund.

Transport

In Nancy itself you can always travel by city buses or trams, buying a ticket for 1 trip for 1.30 EUR or a ticket for 10 trips for 9.70 EUR. They can be purchased from vending machines at bus stops or from the driver. The most convenient option for tourists is a ticket for a day without limiting the number of trips costing 3.30 EUR.

Prices on the page are as of November 2019.

Cuisine and restaurants

A tour of Lorraine cuisine is a special adventure. The gastronomic traditions of this region contain many unique products and recipes. Since 1947, a festival in honor of the Mirabelle plum has been held in Metz, which takes place annually at the end of August. There you will find laser shows, street concerts and parades, a market with fresh harvest plums and the Miss Mirabelle competition.

Every restaurant in Nancy has a cheese page on the menu. Feel free to point your finger at the lines where you will see the names of the most delicious and popular cheeses of Lorraine: “Munster” (Munster-Géromé) - a soft cheese made from cow’s milk, “Carré de l’est” and “Bruer” ( Brouere). U last story most exciting: On December 8, 2010, Brewer became the first cheese to go into space. The Dragon spacecraft carrying a wheel of cheese circled the Earth twice and then landed in the Pacific Ocean.

Having ordered cheese, feel free to indulge in quiche Laurent pies, vagotins (cakes in the form of small carts), savory pates, rich confitures, veal's heads prepared according to a special recipe from Rambertvillers, and dandelion salad (salade de pissenlit). And of course, pote lauren - stewed pork with vegetables - will become a real decoration of this hearty table. To enjoy exquisite fondue in its most unexpected flavor combinations, you can book a table at the popular place Le Bouche a Oreill at 42 rue des Carmes. Another place filled with French romance and charm, decorated in the spirit of the Nancy school, is the A la Table restaurant du Bon Roi Stanislas at rue Gustave Simone, 7. Here you can end your date with Nancy with a glass of sparkling wine. The rendezvous was a success!

Popular hotels in Nancy

Entertainment and attractions of Nancy

The town, comfortably lying on the banks of the Rhine, is divided into two parts: the Old, dotted with winding streets and buildings breathing antiquity, and the bright, spacious New. But it’s best to start your walk from the center - as if Stanislav Square, La Carriere Square and the town hall building modestly nestled next to them are held together in a hot embrace. You can enter Stanislaus Square from the Old Town through the slender, elegant Arc de Triomphe, which was erected in honor of King Louis XV. The theme of the bas-reliefs is, naturally, military. Having passed under the arch and made a wish according to ancient tradition, you find yourself in a circle of golden light from forged lanterns of unique beauty. The ensemble is complemented by the Neptune fountains, where turquoise water splashes through cast-iron gilded designs, into which you just want to dip your hands on a hot afternoon.

Place Stanislaus flows smoothly into the Place de la Carrière, a long narrow square hidden behind luxurious gates richly decorated with gold. This is where you begin to gain respect for Stanislav and those who managed to preserve this wonderful beauty to this day.

The old part is about time travel. The alleys copy the outlines of ancient fortress walls, and in the houses you can feel wisdom and power, timeless. We recommend visiting, where the governor of Lorraine once lived, and the Palais Ducal, which now houses the Museum of the History of Lorraine, combined with the Cordelier Museum. Museum exhibitions are located in the palace chapel and are open all days of the week except Tuesday, from 10:00 to 18:00. You can look at treasures, everyday items and luxury items, from which you can learn a lot about their owners, for 6 EUR. Representatives of creative professions have long chosen the Museum of Fine Arts, which is open every day except Thursday, from 10:00 to 18:00. And for lovers of the sea and its inhabitants, there is a direct route to the Nancy Aquarium Museum. Write down the address: rue Sainte-Catherine, 54. Ticket price - 5 EUR.

Behind the governor's palace, the outlet for all romantics is La Pepmnier Park, a kind of synthesis of a classic French garden and a British zoo. Moreover, the animals are not limited in their movements and happily wander into green front gardens and bright flower beds. It is here that every 10 hours in certain time change flowers in flower beds. Go to the northern part of the city, and there any passerby will show you the way, although the tart aromas of jasmine, roses and hydrangeas are the best guides.

The botanical garden of Monte is not to be missed, with 67 acres of shady paths and lawns. Deep in the park is the Telephone Museum, whose exhibits will tell you about the 200-year history of telephony, from primitive to modern. Admission is free, with the exception of the tropical greenhouses, which cost 5 EUR to visit. At the same time, visit the Nancy School Museum, which is located at rue du Sergent-Blandan, 36. The exhibition can be seen from 10:00 to 18:00, from Wednesday to Sunday, a ticket costs 6 EUR.

And at the same time, you can look into the Museum of Metallurgy, the exhibition of which tells about the history of this area of ​​​​industry. Entrance costs 3 EUR.

And if you are lucky enough to be in Nancy in October, you will see for yourself that the suburb of Jarville-la-Malgrange becomes a real center of musical pilgrimage at this time. The Jazz Festival is held here annually and brings together world-class stars on its stages.