A 90-minute train ride from Paris, Nancy is a resplendent city that was once the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine in northeastern France. The city is dripping with elegance, boasting grand squares, stately palaces and art nouveau architecture.
A hub of the art nouveau movement, Nancy is populated by fine examples of the architectural style. Elegant 19th-century mansions like Villa Majorelle line its streets, while the Musée de l’École de Nancy houses a treasure trove of decorative objects, art and furnishings showcasing the movement. The city’s pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the 18th-century Place Stanislas – an impressive neoclassical square that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is flanked by equally stunning buildings, including Hôtel de Ville (the City Hall), Opéra National de Lorraine, the Museum of Fine Arts in Nancy and a triumphal arch. To the south of the square lies the historic Old Town, home to the Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine featuring Gothic and Renaissance elements.
On your trip to Nancy, make sure to sample some of the local delicacies the city is famous for. Among its 20 or so speciality sweets are the Nancy Macarons (French almond cookies) and Nancy Bergamotes (candies flavoured with bergamot oranges). For a savoury bite, try a traditional quiche Lorraine – a French pie with a filling of eggs, bacon and cheese.