Nancy, France is a city where medieval fortifications, Enlightenment-era squares, and Art Nouveau masterpieces coexist within a compact, walkable center. Once the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, Nancy reflects centuries of political shifts and artistic ambition—from Gothic gates and Renaissance palaces to the harmonious 18th-century ensemble of Place Stanislas, today a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At the turn of the 20th century, Nancy became a leading center of the Art Nouveau movement through the École de Nancy, a collective of architects, artists, and designers who reshaped the city with floral motifs, stained glass, and curving façades. Landmarks such as the Villa Majorelle and Excelsior Brasserie showcase this legacy alongside earlier architectural treasures.

We visited Nancy during our month-long stay in Strasbourg. In this post, we’ll explore Nancy’s layered history, architectural highlights, and the must-see attractions that make it one of France’s most distinctive historic cities.

This website contains affiliate links that may earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Nancy’s history spans nearly a thousand years, from its medieval origins as the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine to its transformation under Enlightenment rulers and its later role as a hub of French Art Nouveau. Each era left behind landmarks that continue to shape the city’s identity today.

Nancy began as a small settlement in the 11th century, fortified under Gérard of Alsace, Duke of Lorraine. After being burned in 1218 during the War of Succession of Champagne, the town was rebuilt in stone, with its medieval core still visible around the Grand’Rue. Surviving landmarks from this era include the Craffe Gate, a defensive tower dating to the 14th century.

In the mid-18th century, the exiled Polish king Stanislaus Leszczyński, who became Duke of Lorraine, transformed Nancy with grand urban projects. His legacy includes the creation of Place Stanislas (1752–1756), a masterpiece of classical urban planning now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When Lorraine was annexed by France in 1766, Nancy retained its role as a regional capital.

The 19th century brought industrialization and population growth. Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, Nancy gained significance as the largest French city near the new German border. This period also set the stage for Nancy’s emergence as a center of the Art Nouveau movement. From 1890 to 1914, artists and designers of the École de Nancy—including Émile Gallé, Louis Majorelle, and Jacques Grüber—transformed the cityscape with buildings, glasswork, and furniture in organic, nature-inspired styles.

Nancy endured hardship during both World Wars, including bombings in 1914 and 1944. Post-war, the city preserved much of its historic core while expanding as a university and cultural center. Today, Nancy is celebrated for its blend of medieval fortifications, 18th-century squares, and Art Nouveau heritage, making it a showcase of French architectural history across the centuries.

Nancy’s architecture is a layered record of its history, shaped by medieval fortifications, Enlightenment-era squares, and the Art Nouveau innovations of the early 20th century. Expansions, additions, and restorations over time have created a cityscape where Gothic gates, Baroque monuments, and decorative villas coexist within walking distance.

The earliest architectural core developed around the Ducal Palace and the Craffe Gate, built as defensive and administrative structures. These were expanded in the 14th–15th centuries, when the city grew as the seat of the Dukes of Lorraine. Narrow streets and fortified walls shaped the medieval plan that still defines parts of the Old Town.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Dukes of Lorraine expanded the palace complex and commissioned Renaissance-style hôtels particuliers (townhouses), such as the Hôtel d’Haussonville. This marked a shift from purely defensive structures to residences reflecting prestige and wealth.

The most dramatic change came in the mid-18th century when Stanislaus Leszczyński, Duke of Lorraine, commissioned architect Emmanuel Héré to link the Old Town and New Town.

Place Stanislas (1752–1756) unified the city with a symmetrical, monumental square.

Arc Héré (1750s) replaced an older royal gate, signaling the city’s ceremonial and civic ambitions.

Gilded gates by Jean Lamour and fountains by Barthélémy Guibal enhanced the ensemble, blending architecture with decorative arts.

This period reoriented Nancy’s identity from a ducal stronghold to a showcase of Enlightenment urban planning.

During the 19th century, industrial growth led to new neighborhoods and boulevards. Historic structures like the Ducal Palace were restored, while new churches (e.g., Saint-Epvre Basilica) revived Gothic styles. At the same time, Nancy’s role as a frontier city after 1871 encouraged civic investment, with public buildings and schools constructed in eclectic historicist styles.

Nancy became the capital of French Art Nouveau through the École de Nancy, a group of artists, architects, and craftsmen. They renovated and added to the cityscape with organic, nature-inspired forms:

• Villa Majorelle (1901–1902), a private residence blending wood, stone, and ironwork.
• Excelsior Brasserie and commercial façades on Rue Saint-Jean.

Entire districts, such as Saurupt, where new villas integrated stained glass, curving balconies, and ornamental iron.

This phase layered avant-garde design over older urban fabric, giving Nancy a distinctive early 20th-century identity.

World War destruction in 1914 and 1944 damaged parts of the city, but key monuments like Place Stanislas survived. Post-war reconstruction prioritized functionality, introducing modern housing and commercial districts, yet efforts were made to preserve the historic ensemble. Ongoing restoration projects—such as the Villa Majorelle reopening in 2020—continue to maintain Nancy’s architectural heritage while adapting to contemporary use.

Nancy’s architectural landmarks span nearly seven centuries, reflecting the city’s transformation from a medieval ducal seat to a center of Enlightenment urban design and later the cradle of French Art Nouveau. Visitors can explore Gothic gates and Renaissance palaces, admire the harmonious 18th-century squares recognized by UNESCO, and step inside Art Nouveau residences where architecture and decorative arts merge. Together, these sites showcase the layers of history that make Nancy one of France’s most architecturally distinctive cities.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Annonciation et Saint-Sigisbert

• Architects: Initial plans by Giovanni (Giovan) Betto; modified by Jules Hardouin‑Mansart and completed economically by Germain Boffrand
• Style: Baroque with classical planning
• Year Built: Begun early 18th century; completed in the 19th century
• Address: 56 Bis Pl. Mgr Ruch, 54000 Nancy

This national monument serves as the seat of the Bishop of Nancy and Toul. Designed in a Latin cross plan with Corinthian interior columns, it features a central dome painted by Claude Jacquard and ornate railings by Jean Lamour. Its historic organ was begun by Nicolas Dupont (1756), improved by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll (1861), and remains a prominent feature.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

• Architect(s): Anthony Rougieux (architecture); design also overseen by Canon Henri Blaise under Bishop Charles‑François Turinaz’s initiative.
• Style: Romanesque-Byzantine, inspired by Montmartre’s Sacré‑Coeur in Paris.
• Year Built: Construction began in 1902 and completed in 1905; consecrated and elevated to minor basilica in September 1905
• Address: 39 Rue de Laxou, 54000 Nancy

A prominent early 20th-century church combining rounded arches, a central dome, and soft masonry that evokes Byzantine structures. Its construction was directed by Canon Blaise after being commissioned in 1889 by Bishop Turinaz.

• Architect: Nicolas La Hière
• Style: Italianate Renaissance – characteristic late 16th-century facade reflecting Italian influence
• Year Built: Late 16th century
• Address: 14 Rue du Cheval Blanc, 54000 Nancy

Commissioned by Claude de Beauvau, this hôtel particulier occupies the former site of a municipal bathhouse. Its decor includes sculpted Ionic columns and intricate staircases reminiscent of Château de Fléville. Now housing a Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture, it is one of Nancy’s most prominent Renaissance buildings.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Lorraine Renaissance
• Year Built: Circa 1528
• Address: 9 Rue Mgr Trouillet, 54000 Nancy

A noble residence featuring an inner courtyard with a fountain and openwork balustrades. Now a listed Historic Monument, it serves as a boutique hotel that retains its Renaissance character while offering modern hospitality.

aka Hôtel de Curel

• Architect: Germain Boffrand
• Style: Classical (18th‑century classicism) with Renaissance touches
• Year Built: 1717
• Address: Rue des Loups, 54000 Nancy

Built for the Duke’s Wolf Hunt Master, the U‑shaped mansion features a monumental entrance flanked by stone wolves—echoes of its name. Its sober symmetry and prestige reflect noble architecture of the time.

aka Ferraris Mansion

• Architect: Attributed to Germain Boffrand
• Style: Classical 18th-century mansion with Italianate and rococo influences
• Year Built: Circa 1717
• Address: 29 Rue Haut‑Bourgeois, Nancy

Built by Louis de Ferrari, with Italian heritage influence. Inside: a grand courtyard with Neptune fountain, staircase with Jean Lamour’s ironwork, and trompe-l’œil ceiling—the lavish interior overshadows its austere street façade.

• Architect / Style: Built between 1718–1720 by sculptor Jacob‑Sigisbert Adam in a Classical style with elaborate sculptural façade details in mythological themes.
• Year Built: 1718–1720
• Address: 57 Rue des Dominicains, 54000 Nancy

This ornate 18th-century residence stands out for its sculptural façade featuring mythological figures and allegories of the four continents. Built by a renowned regional sculptor, it remains one of Nancy’s most elaborate Classical homes and is a registered historic monument.

• Architect(s): Henri Sauvage (design), with contributions from Louis Majorelle (interior, ironwork), Jacques Grüber (stained glass), and Alexandre Bigot (ceramic motifs)
• Style: Art Nouveau (École de Nancy), considered the first fully Art Nouveau house in Nancy
• Year Built: Constructed in 1901–1902
• Address: 1 Rue Louis Majorelle, 54000 Nancy

Built for furniture designer Louis Majorelle, this “total work of art” integrates architecture, décor, furnishings, and decorative arts. It exemplifies harmony between building and interior design, with organic motifs, intricate ironwork, and stained glass—now managed by the Musée de l’École de Nancy.

• Architect: Charles‑Louis de Montluisant (designed the building between 1770–1775, using boiseries from the former University of Pont‑à‑Mousson)
• Style: Neoclassical – a historic university façade adapted for use as a library in the Enlightenment style
• Year Built: Constructed circa 1769–1775; library founded in 1750 by Stanislaus I
• Address: 43 Rue Stanislas, 54000 Nancy

Established by Stanisław Leszczyński, this is one of France’s oldest public libraries. It occupies a former university building enriched with elegant woodwork from the Jesuit University of Pont‑à‑Mousson. The library preserves rare manuscripts, incunables, and extensive regional collections in two grand reading rooms. Renovations in the 1930s modernized lighting, heating, and shelving while maintaining historical interiors.

Meurthe-et-Moselle

• Architect(s): Louis Marchal and Émile Toussaint
• Style: Art Nouveau, École de Nancy, featuring stained glass by Antonin Daum and Jacques Grüber and ironwork by Louis Majorelle
• Year Built: Constructed between 1906–1908; inaugurated June 1909
• Address: 53 Rue Stanislas, 54000 Nancy

A striking Art Nouveau office building, showcasing collaboration among major École de Nancy figures: glass by Daum and Grüber, wrought iron by Majorelle. It’s now a protected historic monument.

• Architect(s): Albert Jasson (original, 1889); Vincent Brossy (renovation, 1999)
• Style: Late 19th-century municipal cultural architecture associated with the École de Nancy
• Year Built: Completed in 1889
• Address: 3 Rue Victor Poirel, 54000 Nancy

A concert hall seating approximately 880–900 people, combined with exhibition galleries. Conceived as a cultural hub of avant-garde creation, it played a foundational role in the École de Nancy movement. Extensively renovated in 1999 to enhance functionality while preserving its historic identity.

• Architect / Designer: Emmanuel Héré (harmonization and classical redesign)
• Style: Classical 18th-century urban square with wrought-iron Rococo railings by Jean Lamour
• Year Developed: Developed in 18th century, unified c.1750s alongside Place Stanislas
• Address: Pl. de la Carrière, 54000 Nancy

Once used for medieval jousts (hence “Carrière”), this elongated open square was transformed into a formal ensemble linking Old Town and New Town under Stanislaus I’s design. Flanked by uniform noble façades, it features elegant Rococo ironwork and forms part of the UNESCO-listed ensemble with Stanislas and Alliance.

• Architect / Designer: Emmanuel Héré
• Style: Classical 18th-century urban square with Baroque-inspired central fountain by Paul‑Louis Cyfflé
• Year Built: Mid-18th century within the broader ensemble of Stanislas project
• Address: Ville-Neuve, adjacent to Place Stanislas, Nancy

An intimate square forming part of the triple ensemble of Place Stanislas. It features serene tree-lined layout and a Baroque fountain depicting the rivers of Europe. The place carries political symbolism through its inscriptions commemorating the alliance between France and Austria. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Architect / Style: The square occupies the former site of the ducal arsenal built in 1550 under Charles III of Lorraine; it later transformed into a military supply facility. No specific architect is noted.
• Year Built / Historical Use: Originally an arsenal from 1550, operating in this capacity until the French Revolution; the name “Place de l’Arsenal” was established around 1837.
• Address: 24 Pl. de l’Arsenal, 54000 Nancy

This open space marks the former location of the prominent ducal arsenal. It is listed in the Mérimée heritage database (Monuments Historiques) and features vestiges of the original 16th-century structures.

Porte de la Citadelle

• Architect: Designed by Drouin le Jeune (1598); restored by sculptor Viard in 1863 with addition of statue
• Style: Renaissance with Mannerist sculptures; mid‑19th-century restorations
• Year Built: Originally 1598; restored in 1863
• Address: 2T Rue de la Citadelle, 54000 Nancy

A decorative gate of the old Citadel, featuring allegoric Renaissance sculptures. Viard’s 19th-century restoration added a ducal statue and reinforced sculptural richness.

aka Porte Héré

• Architect: Emmanuel Héré de Corny
• Style: Triumphal arch inspired by Roman models, with Baroque/classical ornamentation
• Year Built: 1752–1755
• Address: 23 Rue Héré, 54000 Nancy

This ornate gateway replaced an older royal gate to mark the new alignment between Nancy’s old and new quarters. Adorned with allegorical figures and gilded statues, it incorporates bas-reliefs from the previous gate and welcomes visitors into the grand Place Stanislas. It is designated a monument historique and part of the UNESCO site.

• Architect: Richard Mique
• Style: Doric classical
• Year Built: 1761
• Address: Rue Sainte-Catherine, 54000 Nancy

Erected as part of Stanislaus Leszczyński’s urban planning, this gate honors his wife Catherine Opalińska. Once positioned at the city wall, it was later moved when the nearby barracks were built. It’s a finely dressed Doric portal and is a listed Monument Historique.

• Architect: Likely by Florent Drouin the Younger (design) with sculptural additions by Florent Drouin and Jean Richier
• Style: Renaissance with Tuscan columns, allegorical sculptures, and a classical pediment
• Year Built: 1602
• Address: Prte Saint-Georges, 54000 Nancy

Built as one of the original gates of the Ville‑Neuve, its ornate façade includes statues of War and Peace and a sculpture of Saint George. Threatened during late‑19th-century tramway construction, it was preserved thanks to local preservation efforts.

• Architect / Style: Early 17th-century city gate, Renaissance influenced; underwent later restorations
• Year Built: Early 1600s (c. 1603–1608); restored in 2018–2019
• Address: 5 Pl. des Vosges, 54000 Nancy

The southern gate of Nancy’s Ville-Neuve, named for the road to Saint-Nicolas-de-Port. It served as a ceremonial entry for the Dukes of Lorraine. After structural alterations due to tram traffic and later neglect, a major restoration between 2018–2019 reintroduced lighting, landscaping, and pedestrian access.

• Architect(s): Lucien Weissenburger and Alexandre Mienville
• Style: École de Nancy (Art Nouveau interior); exterior shows a sober, vertical style contrasting the flamboyant interior
• Year Built: Inaugurated between 1910 and 1911
• Address: 50 Rue Henri-Poincaré, 54000 Nancy

A landmark Art Nouveau brasserie built as a luxury showcase for the Vézelise brewery’s products. The interior is a masterpiece of the École de Nancy, featuring Majorelle furniture, Daum lighting, and Grüber stained glass. A later Art Deco extension and staircase by Jean Prouvé blend with the original design. The site is protected as a historic monument since 1976.

• Architect: Henri Gutton (working with his nephew Henry Gutton)
• Style: Art Nouveau with a visible metal structure—unique in Nancy’s architectural landscape
• Year Built: 1900–1901
• Address: 2 Rue Bénit, 54000 Nancy

Built for seed merchant Jules Génin, this building stands out for its exposed metal framework and ornate Art Nouveau decorative elements, including floral motifs and stained glass by Jacques Grüber.

(Former Renauld Bank)

• Architect(s): Émile André and Paul Charbonnier
• Style: Art Nouveau, embellished with decorative ironwork by Louis Majorelle
• Year Built: Between 1908 and 1910
• Address: 56-58 Rue Saint-Jean, 54000 Nancy

A richly adorned Art Nouveau bank building now housing BNP Paribas. Its façade and interior are noted for ornate ironwork and sculptural detail that typify the École de Nancy’s decorative aesthetic.

• Architect(s): Georges Biet for the building, Eugène Vallin (woodwork), Jacques Grüber (stained glass), and Jean Prouvé (metal structure)
• Style: Art Nouveau (École de Nancy)
• Year Built: 1901–1902
• Address: 18-24 Rue de la Commanderie, 54000 Nancy

Built by architect Georges Biet as his own residence, it features exquisite Art Nouveau craftsmanship—woodwork by Vallin, stained glass by Grüber, and a modern metal terrace roof by Prouvé. The original structure was rebuilt after WWI and remains a protected monument.

Pharmacie Jacques

• Architect: Lucien Bentz; sculptures by Albert (Auguste) Vautrin; stained glass by Jacques Grüber; furniture by Justin Feretz
• Style: Art Nouveau, part of the École de Nancy movement
• Year Built: 1903 (construction between 1902 and 1904)
• Address: 33 Rue de la Commanderie, 54000 Nancy

An elegant Art Nouveau pharmacy combining architecture with decorative art—Vautrin’s medicinal motifs, Grüber’s stained glass, and preserved interior furnishings. Its façades and roof are listed historic monuments.

• Architect: Émile André
• Style: Art Nouveau, constructed with reinforced concrete
• Year Built: Between 1902 and 1904; completed in 1903–1904
• Address: 69 Av. Foch, 54000 Nancy

A pioneering example of early reinforced concrete construction, with elegant Art Nouveau design—ornamental balconies, ironwork details, and classified as a monument historique.

Immeuble Aimé

• Architect: Georges Biet, with modifications by Eugène Vallin
• Style: Art Nouveau
• Year Built: 1903 (plans dated 1902, construction completed 1903)
• Address: 42 Rue Saint-Dizier, 54000 Nancy

Designed for Dr. Henri Aimé, this Art Nouveau building features a metal structure subtly visible through the façade. Originally housing Société Générale at ground level, its façade and entrance hall are classified as Monument Historique.

Port de Plaisance

Architect / Style: Not applicable—it’s a contemporary marina rather than a historic architectural work.

Year / Opening: Awarded a Blue Flag for sustainable development (year unspecified)

Address: Bd 21E Régiment Aviation, 54000 Nancy

A 40-berth urban marina set in the heart of Nancy—just a 10-minute walk from Place Stanislas—known for its lush seasonal plantings and environmentally conscious management.

Nancy is easily walkable. If you have limited time, we suggest visiting the recommended sites in the following order:

• Salle et Galerie Poirel
• Brasserie L’Excelsior
• Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie
• Bibliotheque Stanislas
• Hotel de Lillebonne
• Basilique St. Epvre
• Hotel d’Haussonville
• Place de l’Arsenal
• Hotel des Loups
• Porte Désilles
• Hotel Farraris
• Porte del la Craffe
• Porte de la Citadelle
• Eglise des Cordeliers
• Palais des Ducs de Lorraine – Musee Lorrain
• Place de la Carriere
• Arc Héré (Porte Héré)
• Place Stanislas
• Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall)
• Place de Alliance
• Porte St. Catherine
• Port de plaisance
• Porte St. Georges
• Nancy Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Annonciation de Nancy)
• Maison des Adam
• Immeuble Henri Aime
• Porte Saint-Nicolas
• Ancienne graineterie Genin
• Anceinne banque Renauld
• Immeuble Biet
• Jacques Pharmacy (33 Rue de la Commanderie, 54000 Nancy)
• Immeuble Lombard
• Villa Majorelle
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Below is a map of this walking tour that starts and ends at the Nancy Central Station.

Nancy is well connected to Strasbourg by high-speed train, regional rail, bus, and road, making it an easy destination for a day trip or weekend visit.

The TGV inOui and TER Grand Est trains link Strasbourg Gare Centrale with Nancy Gare in about 1 hour 40 minutes. Trains run frequently throughout the day, with more departures during weekdays. Tickets can be purchased online via SNCF Connect, the Trainline app, or directly at the station.

Long-distance bus companies such as FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus offer budget connections between Strasbourg and Nancy. The journey takes 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on stops and traffic. Buses usually depart from Strasbourg Bus Station (Place de l’Étoile) and arrive at Nancy’s Gare Routière next to the train station.

The drive from Strasbourg to Nancy takes around 2 hours 15 minutes via the A4 and A31 motorways. Expect tolls along the route. Parking is available at public car parks near Place Stanislas and Nancy Ville station, though spots can be limited in peak tourist season.

The square is busiest in the afternoon and evening. Arriving early lets you admire the architecture and gilded gates in calmer surroundings.

The Nancy City Pass includes entry to major attractions such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée de l’École de Nancy, and Villa Majorelle, along with unlimited public transport.

Beyond the main landmarks, many Art Nouveau façades are tucked into residential streets like Rue Félix Faure, Rue Jeanne d’Arc, and Avenue Foch. A walking tour or self-guided route is worthwhile.

From spring through autumn, the square hosts the Rendez-vous Place Stanislas, a free nightly sound and light show projecting onto the square’s façades.

May to September offers the most pleasant weather, with outdoor cafés and garden walks.

December is also popular, with the Saint-Nicolas festivities and Christmas markets.

Nancy’s historic center is very walkable. Most attractions, from Place Stanislas to the Old Town and Art Nouveau quarters, can be reached on foot in under 20 minutes. Local buses and trams cover longer distances.

Don’t miss quiche lorraine and the city’s specialty confections like bergamotes de Nancy. Traditional brasseries such as L’Excelsior combine local cuisine with Art Nouveau ambiance.

Nancy is a medium-sized city in northeastern France, with about 105,000 residents in the city proper and roughly 430,000 in the metropolitan area. It feels lively thanks to its student population but remains compact and very walkable.

Nancy’s main drawback is the climate—winters can be gray, damp, and chilly. Economically, it relies heavily on education and services, which may limit job variety compared to larger French cities. For visitors, though, its cultural and architectural treasures far outweigh these minor challenges.

Nancy combines historic beauty, cultural energy, and affordability. The city is home to major universities, Art Nouveau landmarks, and vibrant student life. Public transport is efficient, housing is more affordable than in Paris or Strasbourg, and its central location in the Grand Est makes travel easy across France and Europe.

The nearest major city is Metz, just 55 km (34 miles) north, less than an hour by train or car. Strasbourg is also nearby, about 150 km east, reachable in under two hours. Both are easy day trips from Nancy.

Absolutely. Nancy is a UNESCO World Heritage city, recognized for the harmonious 18th-century ensemble of Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière, and Place d’Alliance. It is also considered the capital of French Art Nouveau, with landmarks like Villa Majorelle and the Brasserie Excelsior.

One full day is enough to explore the main highlights—Place Stanislas, the Ducal Palace, the Old Town, and Art Nouveau landmarks. Two days allows time for museums such as the Musée de l’École de Nancy and Villa Majorelle, plus a more relaxed walking tour.

Yes. Nancy’s historic center is compact, and most attractions—Place Stanislas, the Old Town, basilicas, and Art Nouveau façades—are within a 20-minute walk of each other. For longer trips, the tram and bus network is reliable and easy to use.

The best time is May to September, when the weather is pleasant and outdoor terraces are lively. December is also special for the Saint-Nicolas celebrations and Christmas markets, when the city is decorated with lights and festive stalls.