Stanislas Square (Pt 2)

Praised by both locals and thousands of visitors, Place Stanislas is no stranger to compliments. It’s been called beautiful, harmonious, immense, luminous, but did you know it can also be full of surprises? Indeed, Nancy’s favorite square holds a collection of anecdotes and secrets that will only deepen the excitement you feel for it. From its creation to today, Place Stanislas has undergone seven name changes. It was initially called “Place Royale” (Royal Square), later becoming “Place du Peuple” (People’s Square), then “Place Napoléon” (Napoleon Square), before returning to its original name in 1814. Seventeen years later, it became “Place Stanislas,” then reverted to “Place du Peuple” in 1848. But since 1851, when the name “Place Stanislas” was permanently chosen, it has remained so. With over 200 years of existence, this iconic square has witnessed many historical periods, along with their share of good and bad decisions. One of the most notable was when the city transformed it into a massive parking lot, capable of holding 600 cars. This aesthetic misstep, made in the 1960s, was thankfully reversed when the square was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Since then, there have been no regrets! At the right corner of the pavilion housing the Jean Lamour brasserie, have you noticed the metal rod with a small horizontal sun at the end? It’s not just decoration, but a meridian line. Crafted by clockmaker Michel-Joseph Ransonet, it allowed locals to set their watches, which were far from accurate in the 17th and 18th centuries, at solar noon. The population would observe the vertical shadow cast by the sun’s rays hitting the metal rod to find the time. On its sides and even on the ground, Place Stanislas showcases true harmony. Achieving this balance is a daily challenge that requires meticulous care and maintenance. The last major renovation of the “heart of Nancy” took place in 2005, marking the square’s 250th anniversary. The renovation began with the removal of 300,000 paving stones, which were sold individually for a symbolic euro before being replaced by new stones imported from Croatia. During this process, a time capsule was buried beneath the new pavement. Inside, it reportedly contains a lunar meteorite donated by the Center for Petrographic and Geochemical Research, an edition of L’Est Républicain marking the square’s 250th anniversary, and a book filled with thoughts, drawings, and 1,360 photos of Nancy residents and construction workers. To ensure future generations can discover it, the time capsule is located under a paving stone marked with a star. If you stand on the pedestal of Stanislas’s statue, take seven steps toward the Héré Arch, and then two steps to the left, you should find it. Always beautiful, and even more so during the summer’s sound and light show, Place Stanislas continues to captivate beyond borders. In 2010, the Lonely Planet travel guide ranked it the fourth most beautiful square in the world, behind the Grand Market Square in Krakow, St. Mark’s Square in Venice, and Djemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech. This recognition fills the French with pride, especially since in September 2021, Place Stanislas was crowned the country’s “favorite monument” during a popular French TV show, knocking the Citadel of Beaufort off the top spot!