The Héré Arch

The Héré Arch? Yes, that’s right—named after Emmanuel Héré, Stanislas Leszczynski’s chief architect. When the former Polish king and Duke of Lorraine arrived in Nancy in 1737, he had a grand vision for the city’s beautification. With the annual income of 2 million livres granted by his son-in-law, King Louis XV of France, Stanislas embarked on the construction of several exceptional landmarks in the Lorraine city. Gates, religious buildings, and squares—among them the iconic Place Royale, which would later bear his name. This square was the project of a lifetime, one that would shape the future image of Nancy. The reason for this is simple: the chosen site for its construction was a vast wasteland situated between the medieval Old Town and the New Town. But before construction could begin in 1751, Stanislas faced a minor dilemma: what to do with the line of fortifications that separated the two areas? To avoid demolishing the two military bastions of Haussonville and Vaudémont, the Polish ruler called upon architect Emmanuel Héré. Héré found an ingenious solution by designing a spectacular triumphal arch in honor of Louis XV, which was seamlessly integrated into the existing ramparts. In just two years of work, Héré created a true architectural marvel. The arch is grand enough to be striking but not so overwhelming that it hides the fortifications. It also provides a stunning visual axis between Place de la Carrière and Place Stanislas. As for the decoration, the main themes are war and peace. At the top, you’ll find the Latin inscription: “terror of enemies, maker of treaties, and glory and love of his people.” Flanking this inscription are statues of Roman gods related to war, such as Minerva, Hercules, and Mars. Like the other architectural elements of the square, the Héré Arch has been classified as a historical monument since 1923 and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.