The Duke of Lorraine Stanislas Leszczynski asked the architect Emmanuel Héré to build the square between 1751 and 1755. Surrounded by Jean Lamour gates enhanced with gold and two imposing fountains Designed by Barthélémy Guibal, the "Place Stan'" has been pedestrianized since 2005. The town hall, the Opera-Théâtre and the Museum of Fine Arts are three classical-style buildings located all around the square. It is listed in the Unesco World Heritage, with its two neighbors, Place d’Alliance and Place de la Carrière.
In the 18th century, at the far north of the Place de la Carrière, Stanislas had the government palace built, once again by Emmanuel Héré, the architectural counterpart of the town hall.
The Place de la Carrière, built in the 16th century, connects the Ville-Neuve to the Vieille-Ville. In its early days, this square was dedicated to equestrian jousts and tournaments, hence its name!
DiscoverPlace d'Alliance takes its name from the Franco-Austrian Treaty of Versailles signed in 1756. Lined with lime trees and private mansions, this square and its facades were also designed by Emmanuel Héré. In its center, an imposing statue created by Paul-Louis Cyfflé – which was initially installed on Place de la Carrière – symbolizes this friendship sealed between France and Austria. And to think that before being a square, it was the ducal vegetable garden under the reign of Leopold I!
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The Arc Héré or Arc de Triomphe pays homage to King Louis XV who is represented on a medallion in its center. Inspired by the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome, our Arc is an ancient part of the ramparts which surrounded the Old Town and the New Town of Nancy. Local residents even passed over it to go to the Pépinière in the 19th century. Note that the Tourist Office organizes visits to the heights of the Arc from time to time. From there, the beauty of Place Stan' is breathtaking!
During its renovation in 2005, a box intended for future generations was buried under Place Stanislas, where a star is carved into a paving stone: can you find it? What does this box contain? A lunar meteorite, portraits of Nancy residents, the city's Golden Book initialed by 800 Nancy residents and the workers who worked on the renovation of the square, as well as a special edition of L'Est Républicain.
Le Livre sur la Place is the first literary gathering each fall in France. Authors come from all over France and the people of Lorraine do not hesitate to queue for long minutes to buy books and have autographs from their favorite authors.
Deckchairs, green islands, flowers and groves... Every autumn, Place Stanislas, the city's parks and gardens department invents an ever more spectacular ephemeral garden. Once you're immersed in it to read a book or chat with friends, you'll almost forget that you're at Place Stanislas!
On the St. Nicholas weekend, the whole city awaits the parade. Many festive events are proposed, including the installation of the traditional ice rink on Place Simone Veil.
Place Stanislas 54000 Nancy
+33 (0)3 83 35 80 10 www.nancy-tourisme.fr
