Lorraine is a former region in northeastern France. Alsace and Lorraine
The city of Nancy is one of the two main cities of the French region of Lorraine, the former capital of the Duchy of Lorraine. Place Stanislas - Cultural Center city, a world heritage site under the protection of UNESCO. The Triumphal Arch separates the square from the old city.
The arch was erected in honor of the ardent victories of Louis XV. Elegant columns on a pedestal frame three arches, bas-reliefs and the upper tier crown the building. The decor follows the theme of war and peace - referring to the military victories of Louis XV and successful peace agreements - various military battles and diplomatic discussions are depicted.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Metz has been one of the main religious centers of France since ancient times. Bishop Gregory of Tours mentions that after the devastation of Metz by the Huns on April 7, 451, only the chapel of St. Stephen, built on the site of an ancient sanctuary, survived.
The history of the cathedral goes back far into the past. From the sources of the 8th century it is known that Bishop Hrodegang organized the construction of an ancient sanctuary on the territory - it was during this period that several parts of the temple were erected. In 869 the church hosted the coronation of Charles II. In 965-984, the cathedral was reconstructed at the expense of Kings Otto I and Otto II.
During archaeological excavations carried out in the 20th century, it was found that the modern cathedral stands almost exactly on the site of the ancient basilica. And in 1220, it was decided to build a large Cathedral in honor of Saint Stephen. Since then, six construction periods have passed, and the duration of the work was almost 300 years. The consecration of the new cathedral took place on April 11, 1552.
St. Stephen's Cathedral is a magnificent example gothic architecture. Its facades are decorated with sculptures and carvings. Due to its size, the cathedral is one of the largest in France. However, its main attraction is the luxurious stained-glass windows of the 14th and 16th centuries - it is here that the largest collection of stained-glass windows in France is located. Among them are 19 stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.
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Esplanade
Esplanade (Esplanade de Metz) is a city garden located in Metz to the west of the Metz Center quarter on the site where there were ancient defensive ditches, filled in in 1816 during urban development. Near the Esplanade are the Palace of Justice, the Templar Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the School of Fine Arts.
Beautiful alleys of lindens and chestnuts surround the picturesque central part of the garden, where there are blooming flower beds and a fountain. The esplanade is decorated with sculptures by artists representing the Metz school: Naiad and the statue of Marshal Ney, the bronze horse of the famous Christophe Fratin. Here you can also see the sculpture of Paul Verlaine and the Soldier-Liberator, the hero of the First World War.
Esplanade is not just beautiful garden for walking, but a historically important place in the city, as well as a platform where there is an active cultural life. In February-March, the Foire de Carnaval fair takes place here, in the summer - the literary festival É t du Livre. At the end of summer, the Esplanade celebrates the feast of the mirabelle plum, a true symbol of Metz. In winter, a Christmas market is set up here and a skating rink is flooded.
The Moselle River flows through Luxembourg, Germany and France. Its length reaches five hundred and forty-four kilometers. The area of the Moselle river basin is 28,286 square kilometers. This reservoir originates on the slopes of the Ballon de Alsace hill. Below it passes through a narrow, deep and winding valley. Near the city of Koblenz, the river flows into the Rhine. The main tributaries of the river are the Aviera, the Ruwer and the Saar.
Usually from November to March, floods often occur on the Moselle.
The following major settlements are located on the river: Trier, Koblenz, Metz and Nancy.
The Mosel River is almost entirely navigable.
Several locks and hydroelectric power plants have been built on the river. The reservoir is crossed by the Rhine-Marne canal, and also has a connection with the eastern canal to the Sonne River.
The valley of the Moselle River is considered a place of winemaking. This is the oldest wine region in France. Most of the products made here are exported.
german gate
The Gate of the Germans is the only fragment of the city fortifications of Metz that has survived to this day. December 3, 1966 they were included in the list historical monuments. Once upon a time, gates equipped with towers and battlements were part of stone bridge across the river Sel. The gate got its name in honor of the knights of the Teutonic Order, whose hospital was located nearby.
The construction of city fortifications began here in 1230, and in 1445, to control traffic on the bridge, gates were erected, consisting of two round towers, the architectural appearance of which was quite strict, devoid of a large number of decorative elements, excluding a small number of zoomorphic images. Only this part of the fortress wall has survived to this day, the total length of which reached seven kilometers, and its thickness was 3.5 meters. An inscription of the 16th century has been preserved on the arch, mentioning the initiators of the construction and the architect.
House of Joan of Arc
In the east of France, in the small village of Domremy, now belonging to the Vosges department, on January 6, 1412, a world-famous French heroine and Saint Joan of Arc was born. There is no doubt about where she comes from. Firstly, during the interrogation in her case, she clearly answered that she was born in the northern part of the village of Domremi, which belonged to the city of Greu. Secondly, there are documents from various times and testimonies of people, indicating that Joan of Arc spent her childhood in the village of Domremy. The house of the D'Arc family, where the future heroine of France lived, has miraculously survived to this day.
A small house that used to be on Moulin Street, and now on Basil Street, has only 4 rooms, above which there is a large attic with a window. On the first floor, in the place where Jeanne was born, there is a bronze statue of Jeanne - a gift from Princess Marie of Orleans. The house has been restored several times. After the death of Jeanne, her relatives lived in it. In 1829, her last descendant died, leaving the house to the municipality to turn it into a museum.
In the front part of the house, in the one where Jeanne herself was born, there were wall paintings of the little Maid of Orleans back in the 16th century. Unfortunately, they have not survived to this day.
Sainte-Cirq-Lapopie
Sainte-Cirq-Lapopie is one of the most picturesque settlements in France, which even won a television competition as the most beautiful village country. It is built on a sheer cliff at a height of 100 meters above the river. This is actually a museum open sky, which preserved the original architecture of the late Middle Ages. Life here is very unusual.
The mayor of the village, Gilles Hardeveld, has a policy of preserving the original way of life. The influx of tourists leaves a certain imprint on everyday life local residents, but despite this, the old atmosphere takes its toll. Sainte-Cirq-Lapopie is built on a rock and each narrow street consists of many steps. You will not find a single store here, because all products are brought in on special vehicles. But there are enough restaurants here. One of the most popular is called La Tonnelle.
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Cheese house in the Münster valley
The Cheese House in the Münster Valley, located near the French town of Münster, is a popular agro-tourist complex. It was created on the initiative of local farmers interested in continuing the traditions of cheese making, which were established in this area in the 10th century by Italian monks. The name of the famous Munster cheese, which is produced in this region of France, is translated from Latin as "monastery".
In the Cheese House, visitors will be introduced to the technology of Münster cheese production and, of course, they will be treated to the finished product. It will also be interesting to know at what time of the year the most delicious cheese is produced. The complex has a restaurant open at lunchtime. From its outdoor terrace you have a wonderful view of the area. You can buy Munster cheese for yourself and as a gift in a shop located here, on the territory of the agro-complex.
The most popular attractions in Lorraine with descriptions and photos for every taste. choose best places for visiting famous places Lorraine on our website.
The French region of Lorraine (Lorraine) is a province located in northeastern France. official administrative center region is city of Metz which houses the regional parliament.
The total population of the region is 2,350,657 people. The coat of arms of the province depicts a shield, in the golden field of which there is a scarlet baldric, burdened with three alerions.
The area of Lorraine is 23,547 square kilometers. Numerous rivers flow through it, among which the most famous Meuse (Meuse) and Moselle. Lorraine is the only french region, bordering on three foreign countries - Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany.
The French region of Lorraine (Lorraine) has long been the subject of contention and territorial dispute between France and Germany, which greatly influenced the culture and history of the entire region. Modern Lorraine combines all the best features of the French and German presence, which she acquired in the process of centuries of history, including during the German occupation.
The German trace is especially noticeable in the architectural orderliness of the building. settlements, as well as in the linguistic features of the disputed land. Directly in Lorraine there is a language border: in the east they speak mainly German, and in the west they use, as a rule, French.
History of the Lorraine region
The current region of Lorraine is significantly inferior in area to the medieval Duchy of Lorraine, but surpasses the later historical province. In addition to this province, it includes areas of the former provinces of Barrois and Trois-Evesche.
Throughout the long history of the borders of modern Lorraine have changed repeatedly. So in 843, according to the Treaty of Verdun, the united Frankish state was divided among the three grandsons of Charlemagne. One of them, Lothair, became the owner of the territory stretching from Frisia to Rome, which included Lorraine. In 870, the area received the status of a duchy, confirmed in 962 by Otto I, according to which it remained part of the Holy Roman Empire until 1766.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, the duchy prospered under the Hohenstaufen emperors, but this development ended in the 14th century due to cold winters, poor harvests, and the Black Death. IN renaissance the region gradually began to recover under Habsburg rule, which lasted until the Thirty Years' War.
Between 1766 and 1871, Lorraine remained part of France, becoming a cause for revisionism. The population of the province was mixed, but mostly German-speaking. In 1871, part of the region went under the jurisdiction of Germany, which parted with it only after the end of the First World War; nevertheless, the Lorraine did not want to be part of it, remaining loyal to France.
With the exception of the period of the Second World War (1940-1944), the region remained French, and the local authorities strongly prevented the spread German language and culture. French became the only language in schools. After the wars, most of the Germans left the region, but even those who remain do not want an alliance with Germany, even on the terms of autonomy.
Culture of the Lorraine region
Most of the inhabitants of the Lorraine region associate and relate themselves to France. Otto von Bismarck, following the results of the Franco-Prussian war, annexed to Germany one third of the territory from today's Lorraine.
The disputed third, also known as the Moselle, had a culture that was difficult to classify, with both Romance and Germanic dialects present. The latter are preserved in the northern part of the region.
Like most other regional languages of France (Breton, West Flemish, Provençal and Alsatian), local dialects have been largely replaced French, starting with the appearance of the mandatory general education in the XIX-XX centuries.
However, there are a number of projects to preserve them (the use of a bilingual designation in the case of the German dialect and the creation of language classes for young children), and many older people continue to speak them.
Sights of Lorraine
In fact, Lorraine is located on the territory of a busy transport crossroads, bordering on Germany, Belgium and the Duchy of Luxembourg. It is worth noting that in this French province the metallurgical industry is very developed, but this does not greatly affect the environmental situation in the region.
The historical center of Lorraine is the city of Metz, where you can see the world famous Attraction such as Malbrook Castle and St Stephen's Cathedral, as well as many monastic complexes that have survived to this day.
As for other popular tourist and sightseeing places in Lorraine, among them it is worth highlighting Stanislav Square (city of Nancy), Gorze Abbey(15 kilometers southwest of Metz) and the Abbey of St. Vincent (Island of Chambiere).
It should also be noted that the heyday of most cities and settlements of Lorraine fell on the century before last, however, many cultural and cultural monuments architectural heritage the region failed to survive the difficult milestones of European history.
Lorraine was affected by both world wars, in which more than half of all civilizational heritage was lost. Many buildings were rebuilt from scratch after the war and are carefully guarded by the government and citizens. The main cities of the region are Verdun, Nancy and Epinal.
Lorraine in France is a region in the northeast of the country bordering Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. In this blooming place, over which the sun never seems to set, radiant architecture and magnificent nature are surprisingly intertwined. The Vosges mountains, valleys, canals and lakes, with the "main" lake of Lorraine - Gerardme - are the most attractive for travelers in the warm season. For a long time, Lorraine was part of Germany, which affected the architectural orderliness of its cities, which at the same time were able to retain the French charm. In addition to rich spiritual food, the region is also interesting for its gastronomic traditions. It will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated gourmets, because this is the birthplace of quiche "lauren" (Lorraine pie), pasta cakes and other delicacies.
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History and modernity
Lorraine has been for many years disputed territory between France and Germany. Behind long history its borders have changed many times. In 843, according to the Treaty of Verdun, the state of the Franks was divided among the three grandsons of Charlemagne. One of them, Lothair, received lands from Frisia to Rome, which included the current Lorraine. In 870, it received the status of a duchy and until 1766 was part of the Holy Roman Empire. In the XII-XIII centuries, the duchy flourished under the rule of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Then a period of long and harsh winters with poor harvests, famine and plague brought Lorraine into decline. In the Renaissance, a new round began in the development of the region, already under the control of the Habsburgs. From 1766 to 1781 Lorraine was part of France, and then Otto von Bismarck annexed it to Germany. Lorraine returned to France only after the First World War.
Such a turbulent history of the region is reflected in its today's life. Lorraine is extremely multinational, here you can hear Breton, Alsatian, Provencal and West Flemish dialects.
What to see, where to visit
The largest and most interesting cities to visit in Lorraine are Metz, which is its official administrative center, Nancy and Verdun.
Metz situated on east coast picturesque river Moselle. Its history goes back to the Roman period. Then Metz was a frontier fortification and was supposed to control security on trade routes. The main attractions of the city are the magnificent medieval cathedrals: St. Stephen IV c. and Saint-Étienne-de-Metz of the 13th century. Cathedral of St. Stephen is one of the largest cathedrals in France, it houses the richest collection of stained glass windows from different eras, including the work of the great Marc Chagall. In general, the city deserves to just walk around it, contemplating the ascetic German buildings on Will-Alleman ("German town"), the gardens of the Esplanade with a statue of Paul Verlaine, who was born in these parts, the Palace of Justice, small island Comedie, where stands the oldest theater in France.
The second capital of Lorraine is considered Nancy. The most interesting is the old part of the city, the winding streets of which repeat the outlines of the fortress walls that once towered here. In the center is Stanislav Square, of unprecedented beauty, named in memory of the Duke of Lorraine Stanislav Leshchinsky, the patron of sciences and arts. Nearby is the Town Hall building, the Museum of Fine Arts and the palace-residence of the governor of Lorraine of the XVIII century. On the other side of the palace is the picturesque garden-zoo La Pepinier, where pets walk right on the lawns. Lovers of fine arts will find the Ecole Museum with a magnificent collection of works of art and decor in the Art Nouveau style (Nancy is the birthplace of this trend).
Verdun- an ancient city on the river Meuse. It was here that in 843 an agreement was concluded on the division of the heritage of Charlemagne, which gave rise to French, German and Italian statehood. The city was under the patronage of the Catholic Church, in the XI century. construction of the Verdun Cathedral began here. During World War I, the largest battle between the German and French armies took place in these places, as a result of which the historical center of the city, including the cathedral, was completely destroyed. In the city you can find many war memorials dedicated to the Battle of Verdun (1916), one of the most terrible and bloody in history. Now the Verdun Cathedral has been restored. Another piece of the Middle Ages is the Châtel gate, the only surviving fragment of the city walls. Beautiful episcopal palace of the 18th century. now it has become the headquarters of the international Center for Peace and Human Rights, annual conferences and exhibitions are held here. 17th century citadel still belongs to the military department under the French Ministry of Defense, but the catacombs are open to the public.
Entertainment and active recreation
During the warm season, the cities of Lorraine host various music and theater festivals, such as the Renaissance Festival and Nancy Jazz Pulsations. Fairs are open on weekends.
Unspoiled natural beauty and picturesque historic towns make Lorraine an ideal area to explore.
Its former capital, Nancy, is in eastern France, surrounded by the Meuse and Moselle valleys, sandwiched between Champagne and the Vosges mountains. The steep foothills of the Vosges are forested hills, while the quiet Alpine lakes are dotted with attractive resorts such as Gérardmer.
There are also traditional resorts, including the cities of Vittel and Bain-les-Bains. Created in the 18th and 19th centuries, these resorts are visited by the high society of Europe to plunge into the healing waters. Today, tourists can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and classic beauty of the resorts of Lorraine, its natural monuments, culture and rich cities.
Former capital Lorraine is historical city, which is famous for its magnificent 18th-century Baroque architecture. elegant main square Stanislas is surrounded by impressive palaces, including the Hotel de Ville (town hall with balconies and balustrades). The most characteristic feature of the square is the magnificent gilded wrought-iron railings at the ends of the streets and at the fountains of Neptune and Amphitrite.
Another tourist attraction is the Museum of Fine Arts, which has a notable collection of European paintings from the 16th-20th centuries along with contemporary art.
The Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine is the most important secular building of the late Gothic period in Lorraine and now houses a historical museum with a collection of archeology, medieval sculpture and traditional folk crafts. The Museum of the School of Nancy occupies an Art Nouveau villa and is a collection of glass, furniture and jewelry.
Mets has ancient history since Roman times. In the 6th century it was the seat of the Merovingian kings and later became a free imperial city. picturesque city characterized by its cobbled and narrow streets and charming old houses. The Place d'Armes is home to the Hôtel de Ville (18th century town hall) and Saint-Étienne Cathedral. This impressive yellow sandstone cathedral was built between 1250 and 1380, formerly the church of Notre-Dame-la-Ronde.
Huge, 42 meters tall with a pole, the cathedral has magnificent stained glass windows, an interior and the overwhelming influence of a majestic Gothic temple. Also worth a visit is the Museum of Art and History, which contains Gallo-Roman archaeological finds and examples of medieval religious art and architecture. The Esplanade City Garden has a wonderful terrace that offers a wonderful view of the Moselle Valley and Mont Saint-Quentin.
Situated at the top of the Moselle valley, Toul was an important city in the Middle Ages and was a free imperial city until 1648. The city itself is still surrounded by 17th-century walls with four gates. Its cathedral Saint-Étienne was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. It has a late Gothic façade and a Renaissance doorway. To the southwest of the cathedral is the church of Saint-Genoult, built from the 13th to the 16th century.
This church is a smaller and simplified version of the cathedral. Its features are exquisite 13th century stained glass windows and a 16th century cloister having an elegant flamboyant style. Rue Général-Gengoult has a number of historic buildings dating back to the 14th century. Another notable landmark of the city is the Hotel de Ville, the city hall, which occupies the former bishop's palace.
Surrounded by a fortress mountain, the ancient walls of the city of Verdun are at an important crossroads in and were one of the strongest fortresses during the First World War. The city was the site of a horrific battle and a bronze sculpture by Rodin in front of the port of Saint-Paul commemorates the event.
There is also a military museum and a memorial on the Quai de la République. Both sides of the river Meuse are the battlefields of the First World War. Other notable monuments in Verdun are the cathedral, the city gates, the port-highway and the port of Châtel, which was part of the city's defenses.
The picturesque lake district in the Vosges and the popular resort of Gerardmer is located at an altitude of about 1000 meters. With its pristine alpine terrain and excellent tourist infrastructure, Gérardmer attracts nature lovers and active species recreation throughout the year.
In summer, the expansive Lake Gérardmer comes alive with various water sports sports, including sailing and canoeing. The area also has hiking, mountain biking and cycling trails of various abilities, from beginners to advanced.
Station de trail contains detailed maps hiking trails. There are also GPS walks for high-tech slopes. For equestrians, there is an opportunity to go horseback riding. In winter, Gerardmer is a place for downhill and cross-country skiing.
The small town of Vittel has been one of the most popular resorts in Lorraine since the mid-19th century, and its reputation resort town dates back to Roman times. Water in the city with four cold mineral springs that are used in the treatment of various health disorders.
Local water is also sold as drinking water in France. The city of Vittel itself has a resort atmosphere and satisfies the leisure needs of visitors. There are luxurious parks, golf courses and a hippodrome. An architectural landmark is the church of Saint-Remy of the late Gothic period.
Vittel is also a good base to start exploring other natural sites in the area. There is another one about 45 minutes drive from the city. famous resort Bain Le Bain. It has 11 natural springs that have been used since Roman times.
Saint Miyel
The city of Saint-Miyel (or Saint-Michel) is located around the Benedictine abbey founded in 709. It was one of the main cities of the Barrois district. The sculptor Ligier Richier (1500-1567) was born here and some of his works can be seen in the local church. One of the best works of Richier is in one of the chapels of the Saint-Michel church, which was founded in the 12th century.
After visiting the churches of the city, we will walk along historical center Nancy, which changed a lot in the 18th century, but which still retains traces of a rich medieval past.
The heart of Nancy is Place Stanislas:
It was built according to the project of the architect Emmanuel Ere in 1751-1775 and is included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO. Her customer was Duke Stanisław Leszczynski, former King of Poland and father-in-law of Louis XV. He received these lands for administration in 1737, in connection with the annexation of Lorraine to France. Stanislav was a competent ruler and philanthropist: he restored the duchy, devastated by wars, surrounded himself with artists and artists. It was he who introduced Lorraine to the art of the Baroque, which spread from here to the rest of France.
The people of Nancy consider Place Stanislaus the most beautiful square in the world. It is small - 106 by 124 meters. It connected two quarters, two parts of the city: Old city the Middle Ages and New town 16-17 centuries. The square arose on a wasteland next to the Arena Square (previously there was a pillory to which the convicts were tied). The fortifications of the New City and the Royal Gate formed a narrow passage - only it connected the two cities, and it was extremely inconvenient to move along it. The construction of a new square was to be regarded as the greatest favor of Louis XV, who gave the go-ahead for this.
The square was built in record time - in just three and a half years.
It is remarkable for its well-balanced proportions, its architecture and looks more like a metropolitan square than a provincial one. The buildings are made in the style of classicism with separate baroque and rocaille elements. All buildings were erected according to the project of Emmanuel Héré. The square is fenced with monumental wrought-iron gratings by bronzer Jean Lamur, decorated with lilies and the monograms of Louis XV. The entire southern side of the square is occupied by the town hall, where the municipality meets. It was built in the middle of the 18th century. The central pediment is decorated with images of the coats of arms of Stanislas and Nancy. The central clock is flanked by two allegorical statues depicting justice and caution. Under the clock is a bas-relief depicting a girl holding a thistle in her hands, a symbol of the city since the victory of the Dukes of Lorraine over Charles the Bold.
Next to the Town Hall is the National Opera House of Lorraine, built in 1753. Initially, the building was a private mansion, then it belonged to the archbishop. After the Comedy Theater died in a fire, theater life moved here. In connection with these changes, the building was reconstructed - Italian theaters were taken as a model.
On the north side of the square is the Arch of Ere, built on the site of the former King's Gate. The arch was built by the architect Emmanuel Héré after the arch of Septimius Severus in Rome and is decorated with images of military trophies. The cornice is crowned with statues of Ceres, Hercules and Mars. In the central part there is a gilded lead medallion with the profile of Louis XV, supported by the figure of a winged genius and a female figure symbolizing Lorraine. The arch is decorated with marble plaques, one of which bears the inscription: "The horror of enemies, the hope of artisans, the glory and love of the people." We are talking about Louis XV, as can be seen from the adjacent marble bas-reliefs taken from the Royal Gate: they depict Mercury, Minerva and Apollo playing music (an allegorical image of Louis XV).
The square also houses the Museum of Fine Arts.
The square is decorated with two rococo fountains. One - with the image of Neptune, the second - Amphitrite. Their author is the sculptor Gubal.
Since 1983, no parking has been allowed on the square. By the 250th anniversary of the opening of the square, it was reconstructed: it was made pedestrian and paved, as in the time of Stanislav.
Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine (Palais des Ducs de Lorraine):
This is a Renaissance building. For a long time the palace was the residence of the Dukes of Lorraine, in currently located here Historical Museum, representing the main milestones in the history of the region, from the first settlements to the Napoleonic era.
After the defeat of Charles the Bold in the Battle of Nancy, the palace was abandoned, but under Ren II, in 1502, it was reconstructed. Work was completed in 1512 under Duke Antoine, whose equestrian statue adorns the porter's wing (carved from limestone by the sculptor de Lenoncourt). Leopold I wanted to turn the palace into a new Louvre, which required significant alterations, in particular, the luxurious front staircase was destroyed. The new Louvre did not work - the project met with financial difficulties, as the Thirty Years' War began. Duke Stanislav Leshchinsky turned this unfinished palace into his residence. During her reign, he ordered the construction of a small park with an upper and lower parterre, designed by the court architect Clement Metezo. The project was implemented by the royal gardener Hector Aran. The sculptural decoration of the park was done by Simeon Drouet.
The palace survived different times: it was used both as a stable and as a barracks. In 1848, the local archaeological society received the right to open a museum here. The architect Emil Boswilwald, who worked for the commission for the protection of monuments, headed by Prosper Mérimée, restored the damaged parts of the building. The first collections exhibited in the museum perished in a fire in 1871. The thinned collection was replenished through the efforts of patrons.
The architecture of the building bears the imprint of not only the Renaissance style, but also the flaming Gothic (in particular, the courtyard gallery is designed in this style). On the ground floor of the building is the so-called Deer Gallery. This is a spacious room with a coffered ceiling, decorated with picturesque scenes, the author of which is considered to be Jacques de Bellange. The upper floors can be accessed via a spiral staircase hidden in the clock tower, also called the Paradise tower. The staircase is decorated with Lorraine symbols: thistles, crosses, a crown. It separates the Renaissance part of the building from the Classicist wing, which appeared under Leopold I.
Franciscan Church (Église Saint-François-des-Cordeliers):
The Franciscan church is located next to the ducal palace (it was connected to it by a covered gallery). All the Dukes of Lorraine are buried here. Previously, the church was a monastery, but little remains of the monastery, in one of its former buildings, in particular, there is the Museum of Lorraine.
The church was built under Ren II of Lorraine after the Battle of Nancy (end of the 15th century, consecrated in 1487). Rene II promised to erect a sanctuary in case of victory over Charles the Bold, and kept his promise.
This is a narrow and long building (73 by 9 meters), its interior exudes restrained grandeur. The only nave (the presence of only one nave was typical for Franciscan churches) has seven bays and windows on the south side. It is decorated with stained glass windows and frescoes. The frescoes are best preserved in one of the bays at the level of the choir. On the sides of the choir there are side chapels, in which the burial places of the Dukes of Lorraine are located. On the right side, on the approach to the altar, there is a polychrome tombstone of René II himself (there is a signature at the bottom), a beautiful monument of the Renaissance. Sculptor - Jacques Vautier. Above it are images of the Duke's patron saints: Saint Nicholas, Francis of Assisi and others. There was also a statue of René himself, destroyed during the Revolution: he froze in prayer, kneeling.
Nearby stands the tombstone of the wife of René II, Philippa de Guildre, in the form of a reclining figure, made of marbled limestone. The tombstone was made by the sculptor Ligier Richieu. Among other burials, the alleged gravestone of Hugh I de Vaudemont and Angeline of Burgundy stands out: a woman clasps her husband, who has returned after ten years of wandering, in her arms. The second, literary, name of this Romanesque sculpture is "Return of the Crusader". Many tombstones were destroyed (and the graves themselves were dug up) during the era of the Revolution.
In the altar there is a stone retablo from the beginning of the 16th century, with images of the evangelists, the Holy Trinity (God the Father holds a cross in his hands, symbolizing the torment of his son) and the Annunciation, above it is a huge stained-glass rose, remade in the era of classicism. It depicts the coats of arms of the noble families of Lorraine.
To the left of the altar is the entrance to the tomb of the princes of Lorraine. It was built in 1609-1612 (reconstructed in 1818) and is a fine example of the Italianized Baroque style. Its dome is remarkable, decorated with a picturesque blende imitating a high coffered vault. Cenotaphs and personal belongings of all Lorraine princes, a surname related to the Habsburgs, are kept here. It is no coincidence that Marie Antoinette came here on her way to her future husband, Louis XVI. In 1951, Otto of Habsburg-Lorraine and Princess Regina of Saxony were married here (in 2001 they also celebrated their golden wedding here).
In the 19th century, traditional high-backed benches dating from the end of the 17th century were placed in the choir, decorated with images of putti playing music (playing the tambourine, flute and violin). Of the paintings that adorn the interior of the church, the “Virgin with a Rosary” by Jean de Voemburg stands out, as well as the image of Christ by Guido Reni.
The famous engraver of the 17th century, Jacques Callot, is also buried in the church (tombstone immediately at the entrance to the church).
Commander's Tower (Tour de la Commanderie Saint-Jean-du-Vieil-Aître):
This is the oldest building in the city. It was built at the suggestion of Duke Mathieu and dates from the early 12th century (1130-1140). Initially, it was a tower at the church, the building of which has not been preserved. The full name of the monument is deciphered as follows: the tower of the commandery of John the Baptist near the Old Cemetery (under the Merovingians there really was a cemetery here). Once it was a tower in an open field, there was only a small pond nearby. Gradually, buildings began to appear around, including a small chapel. But in the 19th century they were all destroyed. Only the tower has survived. It is a rare example of the Romanesque style in Nancy. Its walls are more than half a meter thick. It was she who was used as the "general headquarters" by Rene II during the hostilities against Charles the Bold. Here was the headquarters of the duke in the battle of Nancy. In the 18th century, a St. John's Fair or a cherry market was held nearby, at which troubadours also performed.
Gate Sainte-Catherine (Porte Sainte-Catherine):
The gates were built in 1761, they were part of the town planning plan of Duke Stanislav Leshchinsky. They are dedicated to the wife of Stanislav Ekaterina Opalinskaya. The architect was Richard Miquet, a follower of Emmanuel Héré, who built a nearby barracks with the same name. Because of the barracks, by the way, we had to change the location of the gate. Initially, they were 300 meters closer to Stanislav Square. However, when the barracks were built, they needed to be included in the city, from which they stood at a decent distance, and the gates were moved. The gate closes the central thoroughfare of the city, starting from the Stanislas gate and running along the west-east axis. On the sides of the main span of the gate, which serves as a passageway, Doric columns rise, supporting imposing porticos. They are decorated with the image of a ship sailing on the waves. This is the coat of arms of the Opalinsky family. The gate is crowned by four statues: Music, Architecture, Sculpture and Painting.
The inside of the gate is decorated with bas-reliefs representing commerce and industry in allegorical form.
Craff Gate (Porte de la Craffe):
This fortification is located 650 meters north of Stanislav Square. It protected the approaches to Nancy. For a long time it had a different name, given because lepers lived nearby. The current name, given in the 15th century, has not yet been guessed. There are two more or less plausible versions. According to one of them, the word escraffe or grafe is encrypted in it, which in Old French meant a shell. It is believed that the capstone of the gate was once decorated with the image of a shell. According to the second version, it was a place for collecting scrap, which was then called by this word.
The building dates from the 14th century. It appeared due to the fact that the city was growing, and it was necessary to attach two surrounding villages, small and large Bourges. In 1463, two powerful round gate towers were built, covered with a conical roof. Their walls are over 3 meters thick. They withstood a single attack by Charles the Bold during the Battle of Nancy. The windows-loopholes on the towers are located so that it is convenient for archers to shoot. The towers are decorated with stone figurines of ravens - once shutters were held on them, closing the windows. Above the northern and southern entrances, ledges were made, from where the defenders poured hot resin and oil on the attackers. The northern entrance has not been preserved in its original form.
In the 17th century, a moat was made near the gate, filled with water, which was taken from the Bodonville stream.
The central part of the gate, especially from the side that was then facing the city, was remade in the 17th century in the then dominant classicism style. At the same time, the tower clock was added. However, two centuries later they were removed, and the façade itself was redesigned in the Neo-Gothic spirit. The decor of the facade was supplemented with images of the Virgin, the Lorraine cross and portraits of the Dukes of Lorraine. On both sides of the cross, two sculptural heads are distinguishable. For a long time it was believed that this was Rene II and Duke Antoine. However, modern scientists have come to the conclusion that they have nothing to do with the dukes, but are simply two grimacing faces.
A bell hung on the gate - it beat the time, it was used to announce a curfew and announce a death sentence (the inside of the gate with numerous rooms was used as a prison at one time). Under Rene II, a large open area was arranged outside the gate, on which artillery was to be placed, protecting the approaches to the gate. A door covered with a vault led here. It was decorated with the Annunciation scene, since René II believed that he defeated Charles the Bold thanks to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Now the sculpture is in the Museum of Lorraine. Next to the niches in which the statues stood, they made a dedicatory inscription explaining their appearance. The coat of arms of Elise de Harocourt, the governor of Nancy, flaunts here, during which the gate was restored (1615).
Information partially taken from the site
