The Héré Arch

Here you are in front of the Arc Héré, the triumphal arch that elegantly links Place Stanislas with Place de la Carrière. Contrary to what its name suggests, this arch wasn’t built as a mere decorative flourish, but as the ingenious solution to a real urban challenge in the 18th century. Imagine Nancy in 1750: two separate towns divided by massive military ramparts. On one side, the medieval Old Town; on the other, the Renaissance New Town—connected only by a narrow gate that constantly caused bottlenecks. Stanislas dreamed of uniting these two worlds, but Marshal de Belle-Isle, the military governor, firmly refused to demolish the fortifications. That’s when Emmanuel Héré had a stroke of genius. Rather than tearing down the ramparts, he transformed them. Between 1753 and 1755, he designed this monumental arch, inspired by the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome, all while respecting military constraints. Take a look at its structure: a wide central arch framed by two smaller passageways, crowned with six Corinthian columns that give it its classical majesty. Now look up to the top. The dramatic sculptural group by Barthélemy Guibal tells a vivid story: Fame holds the medallion of Louis XV, supported by Minerva and Peace. The original marble work was destroyed during the Revolution, later replaced by the gilded bronze you see today. Even that was removed during unrest in 1830, before finally being restored in 1852. On the sides, the statues of Ceres, Minerva, Hercules, and Mars symbolize prosperity and power. In the 18th century, visitors could actually stroll along the arch’s terrace. Locals would climb staircases—now sealed—to admire sweeping views of the city. The Latin inscriptions still visible celebrate Louis XV as both “the terror of enemies” and “the maker of treaties.” Today, this arch, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to fulfill its original purpose: serving as the daily passage between the two historic hearts of Nancy, just as Stanislas once dreamed. A monument that shows how genius can turn constraints into masterpieces.