Top 6 things to do in Nancy

If you’re travelling through north-east France, you’re likely to stop off in the pretty riverside town of Nancy. Whether you’re here for a weekend, a week or longer, you’ll find plenty to do and see in this little corner of paradise away from the big city. With its art nouveau heritage, it’s typically the kind of place where you want to immortalise moments by taking pretty pictures. What’s more, depending on when you go there, you’ll always be delighted to take part in a variety of activities that will not only educate you, but also entertain you: walks, sports, visits to museums, tastings of local produce… We’ve put together a short list of points of interest for you to visit.

What to do in Nancy

1. Place Stanislas

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Of course, we couldn’t start this list any other way. Bordered by the town hall, Place Stanislas was voted France’s favourite monument in 2021. And even today, it continues to be regarded as a veritable work of art, for all those who pass through it. Needless to say, this is THE must-see attraction in Nancy. Entirely pedestrianised, it is the very heart and soul of Nancy. People love to stroll around it, sit and chat while eating an ice-cream, or cycle or rollerblade past it. Measuring 106 x 124 metres, its four pavilions house the “Grand Hôtel de la Reine”, the “Opéra” and the “Beaux-Arts” museum. And if you’re wondering who designed this marvel, the centre features a statue of Stanislas Lesczzynski, King of Poland and Duke of Lorraine.

2. Visit the town and eat a delicious meal

Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomic

Description: Leave the car behind, and opt for a more environmentally-friendly means of transport, and one that’s healthier for your body: your legs! And yes, by taking the time to walk while discovering the city, you’ll be able to see all the little details that are part of its cultural and historical identity. It’s also a great family activity for children, who regularly need to exercise. Along the way, don’t hesitate to chat to the locals, admire the architecture of the buildings and churches you come across, learn more about the Art Nouveau style, and spend a few hours in the street shops selling unique and atypical objects and works of art. Finally, at lunchtime, take the time to stop off at a sublime restaurant in an enchanting setting, while enjoying a local speciality on the terrace.

3. The Parc de Pépinière

Category: Sports

Description: Meet in the middle of the historic centre. What the people of Nancy affectionately call the “Pep”, stands there before your eyes, motionless, yet looking so alive. With its 21 hectares, the Parc de Pépinière is undoubtedly the largest green space in the whole of Nancy. It was founded by Stanislas to replace the former ducal gardens and the bastions of the Old Town. Since 1835, the park has been open to all who wish to admire the splendid trees that stand proudly there, as well as the magnificent rose gardens that adorn the land, to dress it up in a colourful and cheerful outfit. With family, friends or lovers, it’s a great place to come for a run, do some sport, play miniature golf, admire the animals in the animal park, go cycling, or why not sit down for a picnic. Open from 6.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and free of charge, we advise you to go there at the end of the day, to admire the sunset as it caresses your skin with its warm, luminous rays.

4. The Museum of Fine Arts

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Dating back to 1793, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is undoubtedly THE place to learn more about the history of Nancy, its inhabitants and its cultural heritage. The museum’s collections focus mainly on the history of Europe, or more precisely, the history of European art, in all its splendour and purest essence. Spanning from the late Middle Ages to the contemporary period, the museum gives way to design. As mentioned above, it is located on Place Stanislas, in the centre of the city, and is partly equipped with an auditorium, a graphic art studio and a children’s workshop. But if there’s one place you really must visit, it’s the remains of the town’s fortifications, dating from the 15th to 17th centuries. Take a trip back in time to the famous era of the former Duchy of Lorraine, with a whole collection of Daum glassware. Fantastic!

5. Stroll along the urban art trail

Category: Cultural/Insolite

Description: Do you like art? Or rather street art? Street art, which is now everywhere and has been growing steadily over the last few years, has quickly conquered Nancy… and turned it into a truly colourful and cheerful city. When you wander through the streets, keep your eyes peeled and watch out, because behind some of the walls are drawings from contemporary art. A veritable open-air museum, graffiti has been drawn from the ground up to the houses, whose perfectly executed geometric shapes bear witness to Nancy’s artistic heritage. It’s a veritable tableau vivant, with the people walking around unknowingly animating and becoming part of the canvas too. Admiring the various frescoes and works throughout the city will not only make you love street art even more, but will also allow you to take some of the best photos of your stay.

6. The Arc de Triomphe Héré

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Located at 23 Rue Héré, this royal-looking monument, inspired by the Septimius Severus of Rome, glorifies the former King of France Louis XV. His portrait can be seen at the top of the building. Like many others, this monument was built by Stanislas in the 18th century to honour his son-in-law, none other than Louis XV, and its architecture complements Nancy’s Place Royale magnificently. The Héré Arch is one of the oldest post-Roman arches built in France. It is a unique jewel, part of the city’s identity and the pride of its inhabitants. Listed as a historic monument since 1923, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the Arc de Triomphe, steeped in a great history that we’ll let you discover in greater depth on site, turns a good many heads every time they pass by the immense edifice.