Travel Guide Nancy

Nancy, prefecture of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, is home to 104,300 inhabitants (434,500 including the urban area), as well as a large year-round tourist and student population. It was the political capital of the Duchy of Lorraine until it became part of the Kingdom of France in 1766. Stanislas Leszczyński, father-in-law of Louis XV and former King of Poland, was the last Duke of Lorraine and Bar, from 1737 to the present day. He left his mark on Nancy through a number of major achievements, including the square that bears his name, in the center of today's city. Three major historical periods are visible as you stroll through the streets: the Middle Ages, with the old town (bounded by the Basilique Saint-Epvre and the Porte de la Craffe, linked by the Grande-Rue, where you'll find the Cordeliers church and the ducal palace); the 18th century, represented by the Place Stanislas, the Place de la Carrière and the Place d'Alliance (all UNESCO World Heritage Sites) ; and, finally, the 1900s, represented by the houses and buildings of the École de Nancy, mainly around the station and in the Saint-Léon, Saurupt and Parc Sainte-Marie districts (don't miss the Villa Majorelle, at 1 rue Louis Majorelle). Priority should be given to Place Stanislas and the old town. If you have a little more time, you can extend your visit to the Cathedral, just 200 meters from Place Stanislas.