An Art Nouveau weekend in Nancy

Around 1900, Nancy’s exceptional Art Nouveau artists and craftsmen earned the city a worldwide reputation alongside Paris, Brussels, and Barcelona. With Emile Gallé at the forefront, industrialists, artists, and craftsmen pooled their talents and created the Provincial Alliance of the Industries of Art, better known as the Nancy School.

Mainly drawing their inspiration from nature that they faithfully reproduced, the movement used the most modern techniques of the time.

The followers created both one-of-a-kind exceptional pieces as well as larger series to make art accessible to everyone. Architecture, furniture, glass art: they expressed their genius in all fields and brought their works into everyday life.

Eyes are drawn to a flower carved in stone, to magnificently crafted ironwork, or to a brightly coloured stained-glass window. The mind is calm in the face of nature’s beauty. Businesses, shops, buildings, private homes: the curved lines of Art Nouveau are found in the different neighbourhoods of the city, each with their own history and marvels.

Stroll around, look up, and be amazed by this open-air museum.

Discover this heritage at your own pace along a tourist trailor with an audio guide. In the summer, opt for a guided tour. With the expertise and anecdotes of our tour guides, you’re sure not to miss a thing!

Take a journey back in time and relive the unique atmosphere of the period on a visit to two remarkable homes.The Ecole de Nancy Museum is an international reference for lovers of Art Nouveau. Located in the former house of the patron Eugène Corbin, the museum brings together an impressive collection and has recreated several rooms fully furnished with period furniture. The lovely garden has also been restored with the plant life that reigned at the turn of the 20th century.

Another emblematic monument is the Villa Majorelle, a unique example of an Art Nouveau house built for Louis Majorelle, an important figure of the movement. Its original architecture was mentioned numerous times in prominent architectural magazines of the time. The recently restored villa was reconfigured with a portion of its period furniture. It opened back up to the public in February 2020.

Finally, in the cosy underground of the Fine Arts Museum, at the foot of the ancient fortifications, the brilliant Daum collection features exceptional glassware testifying to the know-how of Lorraine’s fire arts.