8 Best Things To Do In Nancy, France

Are you looking for the best things to do in Nancy?

Nancy is home to the Place Stanislaus. It is a UNESCO heritage site that has been attracting tourists ever since it was built. The city’s elegance made it a unique spot in France that is made up of Baroque-style churches and buildings.

Nancy was the temporary residence of King Stanislas Leszczynski, who later became the Duke of Lorraine. It became the reason why the city became the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine in the 12th century.

READ MORE: Best Hotels In Nancy.

When traveling to France, a visit to Nancy is highly recommended for a variety of reasons, including the city’s remarkable architecture and culture.

The following is the list of the best things to do in Nancy, France.

8 Best Things to do in Nancy, France

1. Walk around Place Stanislas

In Nancy, a trip to Place Stanislas is something that is absolutely cannot be missed. It is a notable pedestrian square that was built by Architect Emmanuel Here de Corny between 1752 and 1756.

It is surrounded by French-style buildings, such as the Opera house, the Musee des Beaux-Art, the Hotel de Ville/City Hall, and the Arc de Triomphe, where travelers may take in the sophisticated and classic view of the square.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful royal squares in Europe. A visit to Nancy will not be complete if Place Stanislas is not part of the itinerary. After walking around the area, tourists can also enjoy local cuisines at nearby restaurants.

2. Visit Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy

During the French Revolution in 1793, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy was built. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy offers visitors who are interested in paintings the opportunity to view a wide range of masterpieces created by well-known artists.

The museum has an extensive collection of European Paintings from 17th to 19th century. The collection features the artworks of Delacroix, Carraviago, Manet, Perugin, Fragonard, and Rubens.

In addition, it is also considered one of the oldest fine arts museums in France. The museum offers exhibits throughout the year where tourists can be mesmerized by the artworks and the meanings they convey.

But the highlight of visiting Musée des Beaux-Arts is the amazing collection of Daum. During the exhibit, visitors will have the opportunity to see more than three hundred different works of Daum glasswork, allowing them to appreciate its beauty, quality, and value.

3. Explore the Ville Vieille (Old Town) of Nancy

La Vielle Ville is an old town of Nancy surrounded by churches, parks, museums, and other historical buildings. It is an ideal place for travelers who don’t have much time but want to explore Baroque-style buildings.

One of the well-known buildings in the Old Town is the cathedral that honors the patron saint of Nice, the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. Nice is a young girl who was arrested because of her Christian faith.

The lovely atmosphere of the Ville Vielle makes it a popular destination for tourists to roam around.

The town is popular among tourists and locals alike not only because of the traditional and ancient buildings it has, but also due to the several flea markets where visitors may dine and shop.

Tourists can have a taste of the town’s local cuisines because there are so many restaurants and cafes nearby.

4. Enjoy the Baroque-style interior of Eglise Notre-Dame de Bonsecours (Church of Notre-Dame de Bonsecours)

The historic church of Notre Dame de Bonsecours was built from 1738 to 1741. Its Baroque interiors can make tourists appreciate more the architecture of Nancy.

The church is also known as the Church of Our Lady of Victory and the Kings. The tomb of the Duke of Lorraine Stanislas Leszczynàski and his wife can also be found in the church.

The Church of Notre-Dame de Bonsecours may be small, but it has a huge part of Nancy’s history as it was used as a burial site after the Battle of Nancy in 1477. The important people or the Burgundians who became part of the revolution can be found there.

5. Visit the Jean-Marie Pelt Botanical Garden

The Jean-Marie Pelt Botanical Garden is home to a collection of over 12,000 different plant species. Water lilies, coffee, orchids, and other plant species can be seen growing in this 67-acre garden, making it an ideal destination for vacationers who are interested in gardening and agriculture.

Botany classes are also available for those who are interested in gaining knowledge about the composition and characteristics of plants. 

6. Have fun at the Parc de la Pépinière (Pépinière Park)

Pépinière Park is ideal for tourists who want to relax and spend the day with family by simply walking around or sitting next to each other.

Pépinière Park has a rose garden and an open grass area where tourists and locals can have a picnic while enjoying the view of the surrounding area. It is a 21-hectare land so tourists can run free and stroll around the area while riding a bike.

Kids love to run and socialize, so the park’s playground is a perfect spot for them to play with other kids.  A puppet play at the Théâtre des Marionettes is also available for tourists traveling in groups or with kids. 

There is also a mini zoo in the park, the Espace Animalier where tourists can see a wide variety of zoo animals.

7. Have a self-guided Art Nouveau Architecture Tour

Art Nouveau is an ornamental style of art that is popular throughout Europe and the United States between 1890 and 1910.

It is often represented by flowers, vines, leaves, animals, or other natural elements. Art Nouveau is often utilized in architecture, interior design, and other illustrations.

A self-guided tour to explore the Art Nouveau architecture in Nancy is highly recommended. The presence of the internet and GPS will make it easier for tourists to visit Art Nouveau structures like Jacque’s pharmacy which was established in 1903.

Credit Lyonnais bank, built in 1901, the France-Lanord building built from 1902 to 1904, and the Rue Felix Faure that was created from 1900 to 1910. Through a self-guided tour, tourists can visit the Art Nouveau structures at their own pace.

8. Have a taste of Nancy’s local food such as Macarons, Quiche Lorraine, and Bergamotes

Tourists who love to try local food will enjoy trying out Nancy’s macarons, quiche Lorraine, and bergamots. 

Macaron is a popular dessert in France. But the macarons of Nancy are very different to the typical macarons of France because their macarons are only made up of three ingredients; egg whites, almonds and sugar.

Tourists can visit the Nathalie Lalond, a popular local bakery in Nancy that is known for their fresh macarons.

Having a taste of Nancy’s quiche Lorraine is one of the highlights of a trip to the city. It is a famous dish that can be found in every restaurant in Nancy.

Quich Lorraine is made up of eggs, cream and bacon. On the other hand, bergamot candy of Nancy is associated with history. It all started when the two Dukes of Lorraine: Rene d’Anjou and Rene II, and Kings of Sicily brought the bergamot flavor to Nancy.

The bergamot candy was discovered in 1750 when King Stanislas’ head chef mixed a fruit with barley sugar and shaped them into squares. To try the bergamot candies, Maison Des Soeurs Macarons is the perfect place to go.

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