Nancy: The 4th City in France with the Most Historical Monuments

Par Paul-Emile Bouchy
Published on 7 Sep 23 at 18:37 See my news Follow Lorraine Actu With 267 listed buildings, Nancy is the 4th city in France with the most historical monuments. This is explained by its past as a capital and its strong appeal since the 16ᵉ century. (©Paul-Emile Bouchy / Lorraine News)

Although it only has around 100,000 inhabitants, the city of Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle) is nevertheless the 4ᵉ city of France with the most historical monuments. According to Ministry of CultureNancy, with 267 buildingsis second only to Paris (1,855), Bordeaux (377) and La Rochelle (294).

But how can we explain such a high density in a single city? Lorraine News asked the question to Frédéric Maguindeputy delegate for heritage at the City of Nancy.

A capital for centuries

This large number of historical monuments results from the history of the ducal city, as Frédéric Maguin explains: “Nancy was the capital for centuries of an independent country. This is where the Duke of Lorraine resided.

The presence of power allowed the development of the city: “With the construction of the ducal palace in the 16ᵉ century, this attracted the entire court of the Duke of Lorraine to Nancy. The nobles built second homes in Ville Vieille to be close to power, ”adds the elected official. Thus, more than 75 mansions dating from this period are still visible in this area.

A new golden age at the end of the 19ᵉ century

On the death of the last Duke of Lorraine Stanislas in 1766, the Duchy of Lorraine was attached to France and Nancy became French. In 1789, the French Revolution took place: “Many regions suffered significant destruction during this period. In Lorraine, it remained moderate because the territory had been French for a short time,” says Frédéric Maguin.

If Nancy remained “asleep” during the Napoleonic period and until the war of 1870, it experienced a new golden age at the end of the 19ᵉ century “The city has once again become one of the richest cities in France. It was a capital but, this time, industrial“, he adds.

Yes Art Nouveau movement developed during these years, other genres invaded the city: “We copied old styles like the Saint-Epvre basilica which is neo-Gothic. Industrialists have enriched themselves, in particular thanks to the breweries, creating a remarkable private heritage, as in the rue Lepois”.

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A Central Art Deco City

Like a large part of Lorraine, Nancy has suffered destruction during the First World War “We had to rebuild. The artists were able to express themselves and art deco arrived “.

More geometric and in total rupture with the organic forms of Art Nouveau, this movement strongly permeated the city of Nancy: “There are incredible buildings that are worth seeing, such as the Aquarium Museum or the former headquarters of the of the blast furnaces and foundries of Pont-à-Mousson [91 avenue de la Libération] which houses superb stained-glass windows by Jacques Gruber,” exclaims Mr. Maguin.

The Nancy Aquarium Museum, located rue Sainte-Catherine, is a fine example of the Art Deco trend that flourished in Nancy between the two wars. (©Wikimedia Commons)

All this history has enriched the city over the centuries: “There are 267 listed buildings but others, just as remarkable, are not. I have welcomed foreign tourists for years and they have always been amazed and speechless at the gems found in Nancy,” he concludes.

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