Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine and Lorraine Museum

In the architectural landscape of the Old Town, this beautiful building is formal proof that before Stanislas and his multiple urban transformations, Nancy was already quite grand. A grand ducal city, to be precise. Its history dates back to the medieval era, when Gerard I, the first hereditary Duke of Lorraine, decided to consolidate his territory by establishing a central stronghold. In this early urban complex, the first castle appeared just a few meters from what is now Place Stanislas. However, as the city expanded, this castle became increasingly inadequate for the seat of power, leading to its replacement by a new construction around 1500, commissioned by Duke Ferry III. Located further east of the fortified core, at the very spot where you’re standing now, this second castle is the precursor to the current palace. During the Battle of Nancy in 1477, between René II, Duke of Lorraine, and Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, the ducal residence was heavily damaged, even collapsing in some areas. Without hesitation, René II dismantled it and commissioned a third ducal palace, built in the Renaissance style of the time. Completed in 1512, during the reign of his son, Duke Antoine I, the palace features a statue of Antoine I, mounted on horseback, above the entrance door to your left. Protected by a grand triangular pediment, this work draws heavy inspiration from the gatehouse of the Château de Blois. From the Renaissance to the Classical period, the palace served as the primary residence of the Dukes of Lorraine, until Leopold I moved to the Château of Lunéville following the War of Spanish Succession, which saw Louis XIV once again occupy the duchies. While Stanislas Leszczynski left a remarkable legacy in the revitalization of Nancy with his many grand construction projects, the palace wasn’t his priority. The former Polish king donated it to the municipality, which struggled to maintain such a large and substantial building. After the Revolution, the palace suffered destruction, vandalism, and the desecration of ducal tombs. Despite this, it was preserved for its military and religious functions. In 1848, following a renewed interest in historical monuments and the heritage of the former duchy, the palace came back into focus. However, in 1871, a fire destroyed several valuable items from its collection. After extensive restorations, the former ducal palace finally became part of the Lorraine Museum in 2010, alongside the chapel and convent of the Cordeliers. It is now an essential cultural site in Nancy, offering a deep dive into the evolution of the Lorraine region, from prehistory to modern times, with a special focus on the chapter of the dukes. The museum features historical, archaeological, ethnological, and artistic collections that will captivate history lovers. So, if you have the chance, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the former palace of the Dukes of Lorraine, which has been classified as a historical monument multiple times since 1840. Now, let’s talk about the Lorraine Museum, which we’ve briefly mentioned before and which is located within the same building as the Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine. Established in 1850, the museum is partially closed for renovations, which are expected to be completed by 2027. But that doesn’t stop us from telling you about its history. The museum was created by the Archaeological Society of Lorraine, which later became the Historical Society of Lorraine and the Lorraine Museum. Among its treasures, the site offers archaeological collections that will delight history enthusiasts, as well as artistic and ethnological collections. It’s with immense pride that we announce that these are the richest collections in France. This heritage site is the result of Duke René II’s deep desire to create a powerful edifice after his victory at the Battle of Nancy. Soon after, his son, Duke Antoine I, continued the project and added many new features, including the entire southern section of the building. Looking ahead, after the renovations and the new additions, the museum will give you the opportunity to travel even further back in time—at least as far as Prehistory.