Nancy
Nancy, the former ducal seat of Lorraine, is known for its 18th-century Place Stanislas and Art Nouveau houses, and it is best explored on foot.
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Nancy is the prefecture of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in northeastern France, in the Grand Est region and the historical region of Lorraine. It was the seat of the Dukes of Lorraine until France annexed the duchy under Louis XV in 1766. The main draw is Place Stanislas, built between 1752 and 1756 by architect Emmanuel Héré and listed by UNESCO with two other squares in 1983. Nearby, the Old Town centers on the Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine, which now houses the Musée Lorrain.
Art Nouveau is the other reason to visit. The École de Nancy, led by glassmaker Émile Gallé, left many Art Nouveau houses and banks that still stand. Local sweets include macarons and bergamotes, flavored with bergamot oil. Spring and early autumn suit a visit best, because winters are cold and mists are frequent in autumn. Trains from Paris reach the city by high-speed rail, and one or two days cover the squares, the museums and the Art Nouveau houses.
Nancy in five
- Begin at Place StanislasThe grand square, linked to the Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance, is a UNESCO-listed ensemble from the 18th century. It is at its best in the morning or at dusk.
- See the Art Nouveau at the École de Nancy museumThe city was an Art Nouveau center around 1900. Check the museum's opening days, and look for facades by the station and in the residential streets.
- Walk from the stationNancy station sits on the edge of the center, and Place Stanislas is a 10–15 minute walk. Most hotels are within that distance, so a car adds little.
- Pair Nancy with MetzA regional train links the two Lorraine cities in about 35–50 minutes. One night each is a calm way to see both.Metz travel guide
- Check the Saint-Nicolas fêtes in DecemberThe early December festivities and Christmas market bring crowds and fill hotels. Book a few weeks ahead and check the city's official dates.
Things to do in Nancy
See all attractions in Nancy
Need to know
- Airport
- Metz-Nancy-Lorraine (ETZ), small; trains are easier
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est about 1.5–2 hrs; Strasbourg about 1.5 hrs
- Getting around
- Walking, with buses and a tram line
- Best base
- Near Place Stanislas or the station
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with Metz
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low0°Cold, greyJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, grey
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh8°Low2°Cold, greyFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, grey
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cool, dampMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, damp
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring, freshAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, fresh
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, terracesMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, terraces
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low15°Warm, terracesJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, terraces
- AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, quietAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, goldenSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Cool, goldenOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, golden
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, dampNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- DecemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Saint-Nicolas, coldDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Saint-Nicolas, cold
Average daily high and low in Nancy, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Nancy
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Nancy
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°3°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue9°2°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed9°3°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu10°3°0%Thursday: Fog. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri7°3°6%Friday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat8°5°9%Saturday: Fog. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun13°5°28%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 28%.
Updated 06:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Metzabout 35–50 min by trainA cathedral with stained glass and a major modern art museum.Read the guide
- Strasbourgabout 1.5 hours by trainA larger city on the Alsace side, with a cathedral and canals.Read the guide
- Lunévilleabout 25–30 min by trainA château town to the east, quiet and seldom crowded.
Before you go to Nancy
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Rules for Nancy, checked
- Check entry requirements for France on the France Diplomatie travel advice page before you fly.Source
- Smoking is banned in enclosed public places in France, including bars and restaurants.
- Carry your passport or ID card, since police can ask to see identity documents.
Plan around Nancy
Regions, cities and entry rules
Read the guideMetz travel guideCathedral glass, 35–50 min by train
Read the guideStrasbourg travel guideAlsace's capital, about 1.5 hrs east
Read the guideAlsace and LorraineVillages, wine and markets
Read the guideReims travel guideChampagne cellars to the west
Read the guideNancy FAQ
Is Nancy worth visiting?
Yes, for one of the most beautiful squares in France and a good Art Nouveau trail. It is small and calm, so it suits a night or a day, not a long stay.
How many days do you need in Nancy?
One day covers Place Stanislas, the old town and one museum. A second day makes sense if you pair it with Metz or add the École de Nancy museum.
Nancy or Strasbourg: which is better?
Strasbourg for a cathedral, canals and Alsatian food; Nancy for grand squares and a quieter pace. They are about 1.5 hours apart, so many trips use both.
How far is Nancy from Paris by train?
About 1.5–2 hours by TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est. Fares vary with how early you book, and some trains run direct while others change.
Is Nancy good for Christmas markets?
Yes. The city's winter festivities begin around Saint-Nicolas in early December. Expect crowds at weekends, and confirm dates on the official site.