Historic Centre Tour
Discover at your own pace the capital of the Dukes of Lorraine and its most emblematic monuments - Duration : 1hr30
The Poirel concert hall and Gallery Poirel
This complex was built at the end of the 19 th century, thanks to a bequest from Victor and Lisinska Poirel. These art lovers dreamed of a multi-purpose cultural facility combining a concert hall, an exhibition gallery and a music conservatory.
Today, this lively venue offers more than a hundred shows a year, as well as exhibitions encouraging the discovery of decorative arts, contemporary arts and design.
“Traits-d’union”, the work by Robert Stadler that adorns the façade, is part of the ADN tour (Art Dans Nancy – Arts In Nancy).
Bibliothèque Stanislas
Built at the end of the 18 th century, the library has two magnificent reading rooms housing wood panelling coming from the former university of Pont-à-Mousson.
The heritage collections include many works coming from the royal library of Stanislaw.
Since its opening, the venue is also the seat of the Académie de Stanislas.
Hôtel de Lillebonne
Hôtel de Lillebonne offers an example of Nancy’s old noble houses. From Italian Renaissance style, its façade reflects the artistic exchanges of the late 16 th century between Lorraine and Italy. The indoor staircase decorated with interlacing is the house’s most remarkable artistic feature.
It now houses a MJC (Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture – House of Youth and Culture).
Basilique St-Epvre
The neo-Gothic Basilica was built at the end of the 19 th century. It was endowed by great European families and personalities, of which the imperial family of Austria. Many European workshops contributed to its decoration: stained glass from Austria and Metz city, wood panelling from Bavaria, bells from Budapest. In the choir, elements of the stone paving came from the Via Appia in Rome.
Please note: opening time can vary.
Hôtel d'Haussonville
Hôtel d’Haussonville is one of the most beautiful Renaissance hotels in Nancy.
From the street, one can admire the courtyard with its two open plan galleries (the decorative pattern of the first-floor gallery is Gothic-inspired, whereas that of second floor is Renaissance inspired), the statue of Neptune and the carved wooden door inspired by trompe-l’oeil architecture, much in fashion at that time.
Place de l'Arsenal
The square Place de l’Arsenal takes its name from a former arsenal built at the request of the duchesse Christina of Denmark. It was the most famous military facility in Europe at the time, with forges, foundries and powder mills.
Hôtel des Loups
Built at the beginning of the 18th century by Germain Boffrand, architect of Duke Leopold, the decoration of Hôtel des loups recalls the first owner’s position as Master of the Wolf-Hunt to the Dukes of Lorraine.
Hôtel Ferraris
The model chosen by Germain Boffrand is based on the concept of Parisians hotels, the main building is aligned with the street and two secondary wings frame the inner courtyard at the rear.
The staircase with its magnificent trompe l’œil decoration can be admired from the porch.
The hotel is now the headquarters of the regional inventory service of the Grand Est.
Porte de la Craffe
Porte de la Craffe is the last remnant of the medieval city fortifications and the oldest monument in the city centre.
Several changes have taken place in response to the urban and military developments, the main features are the two towers framing the gate. Its walls are ornate with ashlar and red brick and are 3 meters wide at the bottom.
The gate was used as a prison until the 19 th century.
Eglise des Cordeliers
The Church of the Cordeliers, built at the end of the 15 th century by Duke René II, is the oldest church in Nancy.
Near the choir, the chapel built in the 17 th century and inspired by the Renaissance round chapels like that of the Médicis in Florence, houses the tombs of the dukes of Lorraine up to Léopold, the last duke of the dynasty to reign in Lorraine.
It is the only part of the Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine-Lorraine Museum currently accessible.
Free entrance, open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine – Lorraine Museum
The Ducal Palace mingling Gothic and Renaissance style was built at the beginning of the 16 th century. The court lived there until the 18 th century then was transferred to the Château de Lunéville.
The Palace was originally composed of four wings surrounding a court of honour dominated by a monumental staircase. Major alterations in the 18 th century and the 1871 fire caused considerable damage to the stately home.
Today, only the front wing and the gateway remain, representing Duke Antoine and inspired by the royal castle of Blois. Since 1848 the Palace houses the Musée Lorrain, currently closed for renovation.
Place de la Carrière
Remodelled with new façades in the 18th century, Place de la Carrière is one of the three squares listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.
The length of the square creates a perspective linking the Palais du gouvernement, the Triumphal Arch and the City Hall.
Its name refers to its medieval function as it was used for horse training and tournaments.
Place Stanislas
Place Stanislas is the major work of the great urban development carried out by Stanislaw.
Its architect, Emmanuel Héré, created between 1752 and 1755, an urban space where the classical architecture of the façades is set off by the gilded wrought-iron gates by Jean Lamour.
With Place de la Carrière and Place d’Alliance, Place Stanislas was listed as a UNESCO world heritage in 1983.
Elected French people’s favourite monument in 2021, it is the heart of the city centre and regularly hosts major events.
Maison des Adam
The façade of this house of modest proportions was entirely decorated by Jacob Sigisbert Adam, patriarch of the greatest family of French sculptors in the 18 th century.
The main frieze evokes the continents while the rest of the decorations is inspired by the mythology and reminds of arts, war, time and love.