Nancy is a vibrant city located in northeastern France, the capital of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in the Grand Est region. With its rich history dating back to medieval times, Nancy is a hub of art, architecture, and education.
History:
- Stanislas Square (Place Stanislas): A UNESCO World Heritage site, this magnificent square, built in the 18th century under the reign of Duke Stanislas Leszczynski, is adorned with gilded wrought iron gates, stunning statues, and elegant fountains. It is surrounded by rococo buildings, reflecting the opulence of the period.
An evening drink in ‘Place Stan’ is high on everyone’s list of things to do in Nancy. In the summer, the magical sound and light show is held every evening at nightfall. There are lot of restaurants at the ‘Place Stanislas’ and all around, and all styles.
Imagine yourself in the square one summer evening, sipping a drink or sharing a meal on one of the many outdoor terraces. It’s a balmy night, and the heat of the day continues to radiate from the white stones. The people strolling around the city converge on the centre of the square. The café and restaurant terraces are packed. What is everyone waiting for? At the appointed time, the lights dim and then go out completely, leaving the square moonlit. All is silent, and then it begins: the first sounds ring out and images burst onto all five façades (the main themes are projected onto the front of the City Hall). It’s the beginning of a captivating 20-minute show. At the end, all falls silent again for a few seconds before the crowd bursts into applause. Conversations pick up where they left off. The entire experience is magical, whatever your age. This is one Nancy event you simply can’t afford to miss.
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- Medieval Old Town: Narrow lanes, charming squares, and beautiful old mansions make up Nancy’s medieval quarter, which gives a glimpse into the city’s past.
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Culture & Arts:
- School of Nancy Museum: This museum showcases the Art Nouveau movement for which Nancy is famous. Works by renowned artists like Émile Gallé and Louis Majorelle can be found here.
- Opéra National de Lorraine: A testament to Nancy’s commitment to the arts, this opera house offers a diverse range of performances throughout the year.
Education:
Nancy is home to the University of Lorraine, a key institution that attracts students from all over the world, further enhancing the city’s cultural diversity.
Green Spaces:
- Parc de la Pépinière: A serene oasis in the heart of the city, this park is perfect for relaxation, with its walking paths, pond, and mini-zoo.
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Nancy is not just a city; it’s a mosaic of history, culture, and artistry. Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or simply someone looking for a picturesque setting to explore, Nancy promises a rich and fulfilling experience.
And finally, you cannot visit Nancy without tasting some of the delicassies as the ‘Pâté Lorrain’, the ‘Quiche Lorraine’ and all the other delicious pastries.
More about Nancy: www.nancy-tourisme.fr/en/
Where to stay?
There are lots of hotels in Nancy and its surroundings but one of my favourites is the Hôtel Mercure Nancy Centre Place Stanislas where I’ve stayed several times. It’s not the cheapest nor the newest hotel but it’s the most convenient if you want to visit the town and are travelling by car.
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The hotel is located downtown, very easy to find and access, less than 5 minutes walk from Place Stanislas and close to many restaurants, a small market and walking streets.
If you are travelling by car, this hotel is very convenient because it has its own safe parking. Parking a car in Nancy is not the easiest and cheapest thing. Even if it will cost you 15€ per 24 hours, it will avoid lots of hassles. Places are small but I’ve seen big SUVs parked inside.
From the check-in at the reception, the housekeeping and restaurant staff to the check-out, everybody was very nice and helpful.
The hotel has a small lift to access the different floors and 2 entrances, one in the main street and one from the parking side.
I booked a Superior Room with twin beds which was almost as expected except for the fridge and for the bathroom.
Inside the room, there were 2 single beds, a TV, a small table with 2 chairs, a small empty fridge, a kettle, a hair dryer and a safe box.
First, the fridge didn’t seem to work as it was warm but in fact, it was only working when you are in the room and have inserted the room card at the main door switch. It was a bit annoying like nothing could stay warm inside.
Both beds were very comfortable and the cleanliness of the room was average.
The room was on the parking side, not a great view from the window but very quiet.
The bathroom was under my expectations.
The previous time I stayed, I booked a Privilege Room which had a bigger and more convenient bathroom. This one was small, the toilet seat was stuck to the wall (watch the picture), very uncomfortable to sit well on it and the bathtub was quite high to climb over and slippery to take a shower inside.
There were shampoo and soap dispensers.
If you have difficulties moving, it would be better to contact the hotel before or after your booking and request a shower or a more convenient bathtub or upgrade to a Privilege Room.
The breakfast was excellent. A large buffet with all kinds of food to fill your stomach. There were some very good local products, jams, cheeses, sausages,…. and fresh breads and pastries.
If you are looking for an easy and comfortable place to stay and to visit Nancy with safe parking for your car, then this is the place for you.
