Nancy is a city in the Lorraine region of (eastern) France.
Access
Major train lines include:
- Paris – Nancy : 2h40 (1h30 by TGV)
- Strasbourg – Nancy : 1h15
- Dijon – Nancy : 2h30
The TGV is scheduled to arrive in June 2007, decreasing these times significantly (if you're willing to pay the higher price).
Transportation
Nancy's bus and tram system could be useful for moving around Greater Nancy, that is between downtown Nancy and its suburbs, but the majority of attractions are in town and can be seen by foot.
On buses, you can buy tickets (1.20 €) directly from the driver, but if you take the tram you'll need to use the vending machines at each stop. If you'll be moving around Greater Nancy a lot you might consider visiting one of the many Tabacs and purchasing a "Pass 10" (8.20 €) or "Pass 20" (14.20 €).
Sightseeing and Activities
- Place Stanislas – Town square, Stanislas statue pointing to the north, fountains and wrought iron gates in the two northern corners. Built by Stanislas, Duke of Lorraine and former King of Poland, in the 18th century. The surrounding buildings are all in a single, classic style, adding to the grandeur of the square.
- The Tourism Office, where you can pick up handy maps and other information, is in a building on the southern side of Place Stanislas (facing the statue's back).
- The Vieille Ville
- La Porte de la Craffe, Grand Rue. 14th century gate at the edge of the Vieille Ville, with two towers giving it the look of a fairy-tale castle.
- Art Nouveau "tour"
- The Pepiniere – square park once used as a garden to grow trees for other parks/green areas in Nancy and the region. Now a pleasant and relaxing setting.
- Place de la Carriere and Place d'Alliance together with Place Stanislas are a single entry on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Place de la Carriere is a tree-lined square with notable buildings around it. Place d'Alliance has a central fountain, modelled after those in Piazza Navona in Rome.
- Arc de Triomphe, also known as the Arc Here after its architect, is located along the northern side of the Place Stanislas, leading to the Place de la Carriere. It was built at the same time as the Place Stanislas, in honor of King Louis XV.
Museums
- Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts) 3 place Stanislas 6€ or 4€ for reduced price for students.
- Musée de l'Ecole de Nancy, 36 – 38 rue du Sergent Blandan (consider hopping on bus 134-135 if you are feeling particularly lazy). Art-nouveau Nancy school of architecture. 4.60 € (2.30 € reduced).
- Musée Historique Lorrain (Museum of Lorraine History), 64 rue Grand Rue. 03 83 32 18 74. Closed on Tuesdays. Generally open from 10.00 to 18.00, but hours reduced in winter. History of the Lorraine region. (You might also want to check out the neighboring Musée des Arts et Traditions populaires.) 3.10 € (2.30 € reduced).
Activities
- Opera, Place Stanislas
- Nancy Jazz Pulsation October
- The Cameo if you're in the mood to watch films in V.O
Shopping
Bergamots, mirabelle stuff, macaroons
A couple of nice bookstores
Restaurants
Quiche Lorraine – quiche with little bacon bits– is a local specialty. This can be found in any boulangerie/patisserie for roughly (2 €), but the better version can be found in restaurants. Kebaberies as well as small bakeries and delis can be found throughout the city.
The most obvious place to get a bite is the rue des Marechaux – lined with restaurants of all kinds. You'll find various French (surprise!), Chinese, Cuban and late-night snacks of varying quality.
At the covered market on Rue St. Dizier you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, a couple of butchers, a triperie, and one stand that sells fresh fish (and a pretty nice selection; you can even get Octopus!), plus a couple of small restaurants.
- The Sushi Bar. Place Stanislas.
- La Gavotte. Grand Rue. Crêpes.
- Les Feuillants, 27, rue Gambetta (just off to the west of Place Stanislas), ? +33-383358133, . Quite chic restaurant, with excellent food at a price I felt was rather acceptable. Only indoor seats.35 Euro for a four course dinner menu (2008).
Nightlife
Nancy has its fair share of Irish pubs, wine bars, cafes, and other drinking establishments.
- Le Ch'timi – St. Epvre. Specialty beers.
- Le McCarthy – Open till 5.
- Le Medieval – Live Irish music twice a month.
- Le Cyrano, Grand Rue – wine bar (2-4€ a glass)
- Le Lez'Art, Grand Rue – cafe with specialty teas
- Op̩ra caf̩, by the Pep Рspeciality/imported beers
- Le Queen's Pub
- Cabane des Brasseurs, near the covered market – brew their own beer
- Blitz
- Vertigo
Lodging
See the listing of the hotels in Nancy
examples :
- Hotel Mercure
- Château de Rémicourt Hostel (Nancy's only IYHF hostel), 149 Rue de Vandoeuvre, 54600 Villers les Nancy (tram 1 or bus 122, 126, 134, 135), ,
- Le Stanislas, 22, Rue Sainte Cathrine (just east of Place Stanislas), Cheap Hotel very near the main city attractions of Nancy, small but quiet room. Don't expect "charm". 50-55 Euro double room (2008).
- Des Prélats, 56, pl. Mgr-Ruch (Almost part of the cathedral south east of Place Stanislas), Very nice looking mid-upper range 3 star hotel in the center of town.Around 120 Euro a double (2008)