Place Stanislas

The basics

Place Stanislas is named for Stanislaw Leszczynski, King of Poland, who commissioned it in honor of his son-in-law Louis XV. When the square was finally inaugurated in 1755, its fountains were filled with flowing wine. These days, the square draws in residents and locals alike, and is featured on many tours of Nancy, including walking tours.

Things to know before you go

• Place Stanislas is a must-see for fans of history or architecture.

• There are plenty of cafés on the square; you may be required to pay a fee (or buy something) if you want to use the restrooms.

• You can learn about things to do in Nancy at the Destination Nancy tourism office on the southern corner of the square.

• Place Stanislas is wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly.

How to get there

Place Stanislas is located just east of Rue d'Amerval in the heart of Nancy, and a number of bus lines stop nearby. The Place de la Carrière is just north of Place Stanislas, less than a 2-minute walk away, while Nancy's main train station is a 5-minute taxi ride, 10-minute bus ride, or 15-minute walk away.

When to get there

You can visit Place Stanislas day or night throughout the year, but summer is by far the nicest time of year to be here (and in Nancy in general). A special sound-and-light show takes place in the evening from mid-June to mid-September, illuminating the buildings surrounding the square with colorful projection mapping.

Visiting the Museum of Fine Arts of Nancy

On the western end of Place Stanislas, the Museum of Fine Arts of Nancy is among the oldest museums in France. It’s home to many famous works of European art, including Caravaggio’s The Annunciation and paintings by Modigliani, Manet, and Rubens, to name a few.