Nancy stands on the Meurthe River not far from where it flows into the Moselle, 350 km (217 miles) east of Paris and 56 km (35 miles) south of Metz (map).

Founded by the Duke of Lorraine around 1050, Nancy grew to be the capital city of the Duchy of Lorraine. Today it is among the largest cities in northeastern France (over 500,000), with several universities, excellent art and history museums, a botanical garden, public parks, and many public and private buildings in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.

What to See & Do

The first place to see is the splendid Place Stanislas, the heart of the city. To the north, Nancy's Vieille Ville - Léopold, still holds the Porte de la Craffe, a city gate from the 1300s, the huge Ducal Palace (now the Musée Lorraine), and other historic buildings (map).

The "newer" city, Centre-Ville Charles III, constructed from the 1500s to 1700s, is where you'll find the Cathedral and the Gare de Nancy SNCF.

Around 1900, artists and artisans of Nancy became famous for their Art Nouveau work in architecture, décor, painting, glassware and stained glass, furniture, fabrics, typography, and indeed all branches of the arts. Many works of this artistic group called L'École de Nancy are preserved in the superb Musée de l'École de Nancy and the nearby Villa Majorelle, sumptuous Belle Époque mansions. More...

Art Nouveau dining room of the Corbin Villa,
Musée de l'École de Nancy.

Joan of Arc

Nancy is also a good base for an excursion to the village of Domrémy-la-Pucelle, birthplace of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc). More...

Transportation

Fast, frequent TGV and Ouigo trains can speed you from Paris's Gare de l'Est to the city-center Gare de Nancy SNCF (map) in as little as 90 minutes. Slower Intercités trains can do it in under three hours.

Other TGV trains deliver you to the Gare de Lorraine TGV, 37 km (23 miles) north of the Gare de Nancy in Louvigny, on the Paris-to-Strasbourg TGV line (map). More...

Where to Stay

Nancy has nearly 20 hotels, and numerous short-term rental rooms and apartments/flats in all price ranges, in the historic center, and many more just a short distance away. You'll have no time finding the lodgings you want.

Restaurants in Nancy

Around Place Stanislas, of course, but don't miss the splendid Art Nouveau Brasserie L'Excelsior near the train station. More...

The rich Art Nouveau dining room of the Brasserie L'Excelsior
in Nancy, France.

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