A beautiful weekend destination: Nancy, France

Nancy is almost the perfect spot to spend a long weekend. It offers everything you would expect from a French city: culture, amazing food, a fun nightlife, family-friendly activities, green space, historical significance and stunning architecture. Even better, it’s just a quick trip from Germany – and one that doesn’t involve Paris traffic!

So after you’ve found a place to stay (preferably in or near the city center), here are four great ways to enjoy your time in Nancy (pronounced non-see).

Hang out at Place Stanislas
This gorgeous, pedestrian-only space will inspire awe in even the most jaded Euro traveler. Hands-down one of the most beautiful architectural creations in France, Place Stanislas contains a large square and a series of magnificent 18th century buildings (that are breathtaking at night when illuminated). Even better, Place Stanislas is more than just a tourist destination. Locals are there, too — in cafés, in conversations, and in constant motion.
It’s also a tribute to Europe’s complicated history. Originally conceived as a monument to King Louis XV, it was built between 1752 and 1755. At the time, Louis XV’s father-in-law was a recently deposed Polish king named Stanislas who had been named the Duke of Lorraine as a consolation prize for losing his crown. When the French Revolution came and kings fell out of favor for good in the early 19th century, the place was named after Stanislas.

Walk the City Center
Nancy’s city center is a gem, and it has something for everyone. Looking for a place to eat or drink? You’ll find street food, brasseries, coffee shops, wine bars, high-end restaurants, creperies, and candy stores. You can also, of course, find a spot to try Quiche Lorraine in Lorraine.
Nancy has shopping, too. Visitors will find chic boutiques and artisan stores on the same streets as chain stores. Look for chances, too, to come home with regional specialties. Lorraine does really well when it comes to meats, cheeses, wines, and candies.
And no visit to the city would be complete without a trip to the beautiful Parc de la Pepinière. This central park is excellent during any season. But it’s like a paradise during summer, and offers fun for the whole family — including mini golf, ice cream vendors, and a small zoo.

Visit a museum
Sometimes, museums can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Nancy has a number of excellent, easy-to-navigate museums that will maximize your enjoyment without wiping you out completely.
The Museum of Fine Arts (€10 during high season, €7 otherwise) is a great place to start. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. nearly every day, it boasts artwork from a number of heavy hitters, including Picasso, Manet and Rubens. Another great choice — and one that draws on Nancy’s position as one of the most “Art Nouveau” cities in France — is the Art Nouveau museum (open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., €7 for an adult ticket).
Nancy also has an aquarium that offers workshops for children, light/sound shows, and — of course — plenty of cool aquatic life. The Museum Aquarium is open Tuesday-Sunday. Adult tickets cost €5.50.

Markets and the Nancy Thermal
Nancy has a beautiful variety of markets, including a once-a-month flea market. The Nancy Central Market offers a covered shopping experience, more than 60 booths, stalls, and shops, as well as an immersion into bustling everyday life.
Visitors can also enjoy some pool time while in Nancy. The Nancy Thermal is a large aquatic park with pools, slides, water works and a spa. It’s just right during a long, hot summer day — or a short, cold autumn day!

Getting there

By car, Nancy is 2 hours from Kaiserslautern, 3 hours from Wiesbaden, and 3.5 hours from Stuttgart. Check with Deutsche Bahn for train information.