Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine France Tourist Guide

Today's Featured City: Nancy

Meurthe-et-Moselle was actually created in 1871 at the end of the Franco-Prussian War from territories of the departments of Moselle and Meurthe which remained held by France. The present boundary between Meurthe-et-Moselle and Moselle was the border of France and Germany from 1871 to 1919.

Meurthe-et-Moselle is surrounded by the departments of Meuse, Vosges, Bas-Rhin and Moselle and by the countries of Luxembourg and Belgium. Fromrom north to south it is 130 kilometers and from west to east is between7 and 100 kilometers.

First time visiters to the département of Lorraine must make sure they pay a visit to the stunning and enchanting city of Lorraine Nancy. It is a city full of delights, surprises and many attractions. The birth place of Art Nouveau, Nancy screams Art Nouveau elegance, refinement and style!

Nancy’s playful lead statues of Neptune, breath taking fountains, stately Baroque buildings, incredibly ornate gilded wrought iron gates and shop windows immaculate displays of mouth watering hand made french chocolates make you think on arrival you have moved back in time.

The city’s architecture dates back to its two golden ages. The first during the 18th century and the second at the turn of the 20th century when it was thought Nancy would seriously rival Paris as a centre for Art Nouveau. This was due largely to the expert glassmaker Emile Galle - commonly known as the father of the Art Nouveau movement in France. All over Nancy you'll spot elaborate grillwork and stained-glass that harks back to the Art Nouveau movement started by the great glassmaker.

Probably Nancy's biggest attraction is the elegant city square Place Stanislas, which has been voted as being one of the top five most beautiful squares in the world. Many visitors to Nancy are trapped by the square’s beauty and choose to explore the areas surrounding Place Stanislas, always being pulled back to one of the chic restaurants and cafes that line the square.

Just off the square you will find a very impressive smaller version of the Arc de Triomphe which leads to the beech tree lined Place de Carrière. A little further in Rue de Sergent Blandan lies the highly acclaimed Musée de l’Ecole de Nancy. The museum boasts a whole series of Art Nouveau furniture, jewellery and glassware and is arranged in the style of private house of the time.