Lovely Nancy France is Known for its World Heritage Sites

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Nancy France is one of more than 20 sites in France that has been designated a world heritage center by UNESCO. Place Stanislav and its 18th century buildings was the highlight of our visit to this Art Nouveau decorated city. Storm clouds rolled through the skies the whole day be we stayed fairly dry!

We planned this visit as a day-trip and there were so many intriguing sites we just did not have time to visit. Nancy definitely deserves are return visit.

Stanislas Square, Nancy, France

Our first stop was Stanislas Square which is enormous. Standing in the middle of this pedestrian filled square, I shot the series of views beginning with the photo above and the two following photos.  The wrought iron and ornate gilding give a feel of being in Austria instead of France. In fact, this square really reminded me of Amadeus Square in Salzburg, Austria.

Duke Stanislas was the exiled King of Poland who became Duke of Lorraine in the early 1700s. He built this square to honor is son-in-law Louis XV of France.

Fountain in Stanislas Square

The triumphal arch, is modeled after the Septimius Severus arch in Rome. This triumphal arch glorifies King Louis XV and separates the Old Town from the New Town.

Triumphal Arch (Arc de Triomphe)

Nancy City Gates

The former city gate, Porte de la Craffe, still stands today. Powerful and imposing, it is the oldest fortification in Nancy and has the feel of a castle. Craffe Gate is a remembrance of the city wall which once surrounded Nancy. The towers were at one time used as prisons.

The Porte de la Citadelle is another city gate. It was built by Charles III. In the nook above its gateway is a statue of Charles III.

Craffe Gate

Citadel Gate

The Cathedral of Nancy

La cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Annonciation, has a beautiful interior. However, it was the fresco in the coupola featuring 150 biblical figures from both old and new testaments that really made an impression. At 15 meters diameter its beauty is spectacular.

Cathedral of Nancy

A Must Visit Side-Trip

Nancy is only 45 minutes by car from Commercy France. I definitely recommend a trip to Commercy in the morning so that you can visit the madeleine factory and sample warm fragrant madeleines! The shop opens at 8am local time.

Mon histoire en français…

Il y a plus de 20 lieux en France classés au patrimoine mondiale et un d’eux est Nancy. Le point culminant de notre brève visite était la Place Stanislas.

La grandiose porte de fer forgé avec guilde ornée nous a donné le sens d’être en Autriche. Elle m’a rappelé de la Square Amadeus en Salzburg. Cette belle place a été construite par le Duc Stanislas, duc de Lorraine, dans les années 1700, pour honorer son gendre Louis XV de France.

L’Arc Héré qui joigne la Place Stanislas et la Place de la Carrière est aussi en honneur de Louis XV. Le modèle pour cet arc de triomphe a été l’arc Septimius Severus à Rome.

Les portes de la ville

En plus, les portes de la ville de Nancy sont impressionnantes. La porte de Craffe est la plus ancienne fortification en Nancy. Ses tours lui donnent l’apparence d’un château. Il y a une fois que ses tours étaient utilisées comme une prison. Une autre porte, la porte de la Citadelle, a été construite par Charles III. Dans une niche au-dessus de la passerelle, on trouve une statue de Charles III.

La Cathédrale

L’intérieur de la cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Annonciation de Nancy est très beau. Cependant, c’était la fresque de la coupole avec 150 personnages de la Bible qui m’a impressionnée. Figurez-vous qu’elle a 15 mètres de diamètre !

À ne pas manquer

Si vous arrivez à Nancy par voiture, ne manquez pas de visiter la ville de Commercy à l’ouest de Nancy. Commercy est la patrie de la madeleine. La ville est proche de Nancy et on doit profiter de leurs madeleines chaudes à l’usine. Miam-miam !

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