Nancy Things to Do

One of the most impressive churches in Nancy.
It was built in the XIX century by Prosper Morey. Saint-Epvre’s Basilica is decorated with stained glass and wood panelling in part made in Bavaria.

It was richly endowed by Napoleon III, Emperor Franz-Joseph, Ludwig II of Bavaria and Pope Pius... who donated the beautiful stone paving in the choir that came from the Appian Way.

You can watch my 2 min 10 sec Video Nancy Basilica out of my Youtube channel.

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Together with a self guided or organized tour of Nancy Art Nouveau Styled buildings, a visit to The Ecole de Nancy Museum will put the visitor to Nancy in the picture, so to speak, with regards the place the city has taken in the Art Nouveau Movement which developed over the twenty years prior to World War One (late 19th C - early 20thC).
On display at the Museum are hundreds of examples of the style produced by artists, printers, draftsmen and craftsmen who considered themselves members of the Ecole de Nancy.
"Style" is the operative word. It's not just about architecture. The style pervades all aspects of living: furniture, clothing, tableware (glass and ceramics especially) as well as art and adjuncts to buildings like wrought iron work, windows and doors... etc.
A visit to this museum will stand you in good stead for your visits to other cities featuring Art Nouveau Style. Prague and Paris come to mind.
Don't neglect walking the gardens of the Ecole.
see intro above for more info

NB Museum closed Monday and Tuesday!!!

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A Portuguese that we met in Vannes-le-Chatel, advised us that we should try to visit this house.

We went there, but unfortunately, it was not opened to the public, demanding a previous booking (See the details in the site École de Nancy).

We appreciated it from outside, and realized that it is mainly a symbol, because, all around it, there are many other beautiful samples of Nancy School of Art.

Searching for Majorelle Villa we went to this museum, before opening time.

We couldn't wait, and didn't enter, but, with the whole Nancy being an open museum, I'm curious: what else did they put inside? If you visit it just let me know!

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The old residence of the governors of Lorraine, was a palace from the 18th century, that seems to close the square of La Carriere, when you enter from Stanislas square.

Closed to visit (?), when you approach, you may notice that it makes part of an independent complex, facing a large round area delimited by some arches, named De Gaulle square.

If you visit the Fine Arts museum (and you should do it, of course!) look at the end of the first floor, near the stairs to the basement, for a discreet door, with a sign allowing the entrance of only one person.

Inside you will find a curious combination of lights, mirrors and water, with a psychedelic result. Funny!

I hope that this is a permanent element!

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The most remarkable building in the old quarter is this medieval door, once a prison.

I don't know why, but the door is much more beautiful from inside than from outside, the same happening to Stanislas door.

This gateway into Nancy was built at the end of the 14th century as part of the walls that protected the town. The towers flanking the gate were added on at the end of the 15th century to be used as prisons. There's a small lantern from the 17th century above the gate that contained a bell used to ring the hours of the day, and to call the population for public executions.

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The cathedral was... a disappointment.

In a very beautiful town, the word to describe the first impression of the cathedral was... dirt. Only the grids, matching the style of Stanislas square gates, oppose that negative sensation.

Inside, things are different, and Rococo details are present in the Neo Classic and Baroque styles, mixed in the construction.