The CCI of Greater Nancy

If you look up toward the top of the entrance, you’ll see the words: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Meurthe-et-Moselle. And while this public institution certainly plays an important role for local businesses, what really draws our attention here is the building itself. Take a good look at those floral ironwork details, the stained glass windows with leafy motifs… doesn’t it remind you of something? If nothing springs to mind, here’s a clue: you’re standing in front of a textbook example of Art Nouveau architecture. Between 1890 and 1914, Nancy experienced a period of great prosperity—and with it, a new cultural golden age. It was a time when bankers, merchants, and prominent figures commissioned lavish homes and buildings that reflected the latest trend: the Art Nouveau movement. Of course, the city center didn’t miss out on the action. Much of the credit goes to the École de Nancy, an association founded in 1901 to promote this decorative style across all forms of art—from photography and typography to metalwork and architecture. As for this building, now a listed historic monument, it was brought to life by some of the greatest names in the Art Nouveau world. The architects Louis Marchal and Émile Toussaint drew up the plans. The stained glass on the ground floor, depicting the landscapes and former economic riches of Lorraine, was crafted by master glassmakers Antonin Daum and Jacques Gruber. As for the intricate ironwork, from the window frames to the elegant canopy, it was the work of Louis Majorelle. In short, local industry was put in service of beauty—and thanks to these creative minds, Nancy became a shining example of French craftsmanship, and one of the great European centers of Art Nouveau.