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a rich historical past

The Alsace-Lorraine area was a territorial entity created by the German Empire in 1871 after the annexation of most of Alsace and parts of Lorraine in the Franco-Prussian War. The Alsatian part lay in the Rhine Valley on the west bank of the Rhine River and on the east of the Vosges Mountains. The Lorraine section was in the upper Moselle valley to the north of the Vosges Mountains.

The region became part of Eastern Francia in 921, later becoming part of the Holy Roman Empire. It was gradually annexed by the Kingdom of France after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. After the Franco-Prussian War, the Treaty of Frankfurt returned the area to German control as part of the newly-created German Empire in 1871. A short-lived independence after World War I was ended by French troops in 1918 and the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, and the territory was returned to France. The area was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1940, but reverted to French control in 1945 at the end of World War II and has remained a part of France since.

The vivid historical past of the city of Nancy itself is closely linked to that of Lorraine, and was punctuated not only by battles and territorial conflict, but also by dazzling periods of artistic and architectural splendour.

Nancy's central geographical location was instrumental in shaping the history of the city, which became capital of the Duchy of Lorraine in the 12th century. After being burned to the ground by Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century, the city was totally rebuilt in stone over the next few centuries as it grew in importance. The struggle between the rulers of Armagnac and Burgundy shook the region, but René II, Duke of Lorraine finally defeated and killed Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in the Battle of Nancy in 1477.

Nancy's history has always been associated with architectural and artistic excellence. This particularly applies to the city's development during the 16th century when a new town featuring a grid of straight streets was built adjoining the existing old town. The arts bloomed thanks to the presence of exceptional artists such as Jacques Callot, Claude Deruet, Jacques de Bellange, Georges de la Tour, and Lorraine gradually emerged as one of the most opulent and dazzling courts of Europe.

In 1737, Stanislas Leszczynski, former King of Poland, became Duke of Lorraine and led Nancy foreward into the age of Enlightenment. He ordered the construction of a magnificent series of squares which were constructed between 1752 and 1756 by a brilliant team led by the architect Emmanuel Héré. This architectural ensemble is today the city's main architectural landmark and forms part of the Unesco World Heritage List. It is made up of three city squares "Place Stanislas"

(considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, with its magnificent golden wrought iron railings designed by Jean Lamour), "Place de la Carrière" and "Place d'Alliance". Together, they bring to life the characteristic features and sentiments of this splendid era.

With the death of Duke Stanislas in 1766, the duchy became a French province. In 1831, an impressive statue of Stanislas was errected in the centre of the square which bears his name.

It was only after 1871 that a time of renewed growth began to manifest itself. The city of Nancy, renowned for its former royal court, began to evolve into an economic and industrial metropolitan centre, and in 1909 a famous International Exhibition was held here.

The turn of the 20th century witnessed the birth of the «Ecole de Nancy» which became a leading light of the Art Nouveau movement. The avant-garde design and expression of Ecole de Nancy artists such as Emile Gallé, Antonin Daum, Louis Majorelle, Victor Prouvé and Eugène Vallin, continue to enjoy influence in the modern art world.

During the First World War, Nancy was heavily bombarded and suffered much material damage. The Second World War saw the occupation by Nazi Germany, from which Nancy was freed by the American army in September 1944.