Nancy Travel Guide

Population: 434 565 inhabitants

Population Density:7000 inhab/ km² (miles square)

Name of the inhabitants: Nancéiens, Nancéiennes

Region: Lorraine

Postcode: 54000

It is very easy to get to Nancy by car, and the city itself is car-friendly. Indeed, Nancy is surrounded by the “rocade” which will give you access to different highways and roads such as the A33, A31, the RN4, RN57, RN 74 et the A330. By car, it will be easy to enter Nancy. Moreover, the city is located close the border seperating France from Belgium (1h30 away only by car), as well as the German and Luxembourg borders (about 1h15 away by car), you will have a chance to visit those beautiful countries, too! In downtown Nancy be careful, some streets are car-free. It is very easy to get to Nancy by car, and the city itself is car-friendly. Indeed, Nancy is surrounded by the “rocade” which will give you access to different highways and roads such as the A33, A31, the RN4, RN57, RN 74 et the A330. By car, it will be easy to enter Nancy. Moreover, the city is located close the border seperating France from Belgium (1h30 away only by car), as well as the German and Luxembourg borders (about 1h15 away by car), you will have a chance to visit those beautiful countries, too! In downtown Nancy be careful, some streets are car-free.

By train

From Paris, you will be able to reach Nancy by train in 90 minutes. The train station Gare Nancy-Ville will also allow you to get to other large French cities such as Metz, Reims, Strasbourg and Nice, as well as Bale, Switzerland. Thanks to smaller trains, you will also have the opportunity to spend a couple of days in the countryside.

By plane

The Metz-Nancy-Lorraine airport is located 42 kilometres away from Nancy. Shuttles will get you to and from the airport in about an hour. From this airport, you will be able to reach Bordeaux, Ajaccio, Lyon, Marseille about twenty other destinations in France. International flights from and to Florence, Vienna and Casablanca are also available.

Transportation downtown

If you don’t feel like driving during your vacations in Nancy, the city has plenty other alternatives for you. The tramway is very efficient and quite fast and its lines are 10 kilometres long in total. The “tram” is in service from 4.30am to 1am during the week and it runs until 2.30am during the weekends. Buses are also a good alternative during your stay. If you think you will use public transportation a lot during your stay, we advise you to buy a PASS (for 24 hours, 10 trips or 7 days), its cheaper and easier to use than single tickets. Price: 1.30 euros* / ticket, 0.90 euros* for senior citizens and 0.60 euros* for groups (10 persons and more). More information here. During your stay, you will also be able to enjoy the VelOstan. You will spot easily the different stations in town and you will be able to borrow a bike. Price: 150 euros* security deposit and 1-day / 5-day passes are 5 euros* More information here.

• During Winter:
It is in November and December, right before Christmas, that the city is the prettiest. Saint Nicolas is the holy patron of the region and everything revolves around him during that time of year. Nancy is rea lly the place to be on the 4th, 5th and 6th of December, during the Saint Nicolas festivities. During that time, you will enjoy discovering the history of the region as well as the traditions, the culinary specialities, and the very famous Christmas market.


• In the Fall:
You will enjoy the mild weather as well as the activities planned in the city. In October, the famous Place Stanislas is transformed into a wonderful French garden. If you’ve been there before, you probably will have trouble recognizing the place! It is also during the Fall that the Nancy Jazz festival, Jazz Pulsations is organized. You will have the pleasure to discover new artists and to hear classics.


• In Summer:
The weather is especially nice in Summer in Nancy and the city organizes a lot of festivals such as the Festival International du Film Nancy Lorraine, where you will have the occasion to watch film premieres and to rediscover some classics, too. Good news: you don’t need a press card to take part in this festival. In September, you will also be able to join booklovers in the Livre sur la Place festival. more than 400 authors will take part in it and in the different shows and conferences organized around the theme of contemporary literature. it is also during Summer that you will enjoy hiking in the region !

Office de tourisme : http://en.nancy-tourisme.fr/home

Emergency: 112 (zone Euro, le 112 redirige sur les numéros 15, 17, 18, 115 et 119)

Fire station : 18

Medical emergency : 15

Police : 17

Missing kids: 116

Transportation

Transportation

Nancy train station

Nancy airport

Visites

Place Stanislas

Ecole de Nancy

Musée des Beaux Arts

Lorrain Museum

Aquarium de Nancy

Parc de la Pépinière

Villa Majorelle

Lodgings

Average prices for one night in a double room. Prices may vary.

De 30 à 55 euros*:
For this price, you will get a simple room sometimes a bit far away from the touristic attractions.

De 55 à 75 euros*:
Vou will be staying in a nice room not far from the center of the city.

De 75 à 100 euros*:
For this price, you will stay in a beautiful room in a very elegant hotel or in a nice B&B. Ideally located, your hotel won’t be too far from the main attractions and may have a nice view on the old town.

Plus de 100 euros*:
You will stay in the best hotels and B&B of the city and will enjoy the comfort of those establishments, usually located in the poshest areas of the city and close to the main attractions.

Take a look at our website to find a hotel to stay in Nancy.

Restaurants

Average prices for a menu/ meal for one persone. Prices may vary.

De 5 à 20 euros*:
for a drink or a snack, discover the bar and restaurant Les Berthom (located on the Stanislas place) and its friendly staff. If you are looking for a more traditional kind of meal, we recommand Le Bouche à Oreille and its wonderful menu.

De 20 à 45 euros*:
discover the local specialities in a restaurant like La Table du Bon Roi Stanislas. The menu offers a large number of traditional meals as well as French specialities from other regions. For a large and beautiful brunch, reserve a table at MILK (Mum In her Little Kitchen) on the weekend.

De 45 à 85 euros*:
for a gastronomic experience, we recommand the V-Four, one of the best restaurants of Nancy which offers a selection of delicious meals prepared with local products. If you feel like eating fish, the best fish restaurant of the region is Le Cap Marine.

If Nancy is a small city, its history goes back a long way and you certainly won’t get bored during your vacations. Some buildings are even listed UNESCO World heritage.


• La Place Stanislas :
until the 18th century, this place was the border between the old town and the new town. After 1737, the place acquired its name, when Stanislas Leszczynski, former king of Poland and new Duc of Lorraine, decided to make the place a symbol of royalty and to honour his son-in-law, the king Louis XV of France. Today, the place and its statue are listed as UNESCO Worl heritage. Nevertheless, the Stanislas Place is not a museum but the heart of the city. This is where you will find a lot of nice boutiques and restaurants.


• Musée de l’Ecole de Nancy:
it is a very popular museum of the city that will allow you to discover the history of Art-Nouveau in Nancy. We recommand that you visit this museum before visiting the city. By doing so, a lot of buildings will make more sense and you will probably enjoy your walk in the city even more. Prices: 6 euros* for adults and 4 euros* for children and senior citizens.


• Musée des Beaux Arts:
the Art Museum is located on the Place Stanislas, in a very impressive building. Inside, you will be able to have a look at the works of very famous artists such as Poirel, Modigliani or Dufy. The architecture of the building is, in itself, a real work of art that you will most certainly enjoy during your visit. So don’t forget to look up ! We recommend you to have a look at the museum’s website in order to know more about the different activities organized periodically for the visitors. Prices: 6 euros* for adults and 4 euros* for children and senior citizens.


• Le Musée Lorrain:
this museum, composed of 3 different buildings, will allow you to discover the history of the region and to learn more about the city. The collection is very vast and includes paintings, sculptures, designers’ creations as well as everyday objects from different time periods, and which all have a strong link with the Lorraine region. Prices: 5,50 euros* for the 3 buildings for adults and 3,50 euros* for the 3 buildings for children and senior citizens.


• Museum Aquarium de Nancy:
you will find the Aquarium on the banks of the Canal de la Marne au Rhin. This building is both a natural history museum and an aquarium. Kids will be delighted to discover the various species of the museum as well as the different activities organized by the staff for the visitors. Prices: 4,30 euros* for adults and 2,10 euros* for children and senior citizens.

• Parc de la Pépinière:
if you want to take a break after, before, or during all those visits, have a look at the Parc de la Pépinière ! This beautiful park is also nicknamed “Pep’” by the locals and will allow you to catch a well-deserved break right in the middle of the city. This park was, just like the Place Stanislas, ordered by Stanislas Leszczynski. It is open all year long and the admission is free.


• Villa Majorelle:
The villa Majorelle is one of the most beautiful Art-Nouveau buildings of Nancy. The blueprint was realized by the architect Henri Sauvage in the late 19th century. The house was actually ordered by Louis Majorelle, who wanted to settle in Nancy. The house was opened to the public in 1997. Price: the house is open on Saturdays and Sundays between 2pm and 3.45pm. 3,50 euros* for adults and 2,50 for children and senior citizens.

* This travel guide was published in July 2015, prices may then vary.