Festive Nancy

As you stroll along Avenue Foch, it’s the perfect moment to talk about the major events that set the pace of life in Nancy throughout the year. The first one you simply can’t miss is Le Livre sur la Place, held every September on Place de la Carrière. Created in 1979, it was the very first national book fair of the French literary season. Nearly 500 authors gather here to meet the public, sign their works, and share their passion with thousands of readers—and the best part is, admission is completely free. Just as popular, and perhaps even more spectacular, are the Saint Nicholas festivities in December. Nancy proudly calls itself the capital of Saint Nicholas and celebrates its patron saint with one of the largest parades of floats in all of France. Concerts, shows, sweet treats, and dazzling lights create a festive, magical atmosphere that delights both young and old. In autumn, the city moves to a different beat with Nancy Jazz Pulsations, or NJP. Since 1973, this festival has made the city vibrate not just to jazz, but to rock, electro, soul, reggae, and more. Dozens of concerts fill Nancy’s halls, clubs, and even its streets, transforming the city into one big open-air stage. And finally, each year Place Stanislas itself undergoes a remarkable transformation with the Jardins Ephémères. For a month in September and October, landscape designers and artists reinvent the UNESCO-listed square as a vast themed garden. It’s the perfect chance to pause, wander, and enjoy a setting as unique as it is beautiful, drawing thousands of visitors. Together, these four events capture Nancy’s cultural and festive spirit and shine a spotlight on the city far beyond the borders of Lorraine.