Walking around Nancy

It was sunny today - great for a walking tour of Nancy, a city of just over 300,000 steeped in history.

The central highlight of the city is Place Stanislas, a huge, beautiful square ringed with architectural gems designed in the 18th century, outdoor cafes, and museums. In the center is a statue of Stanislas Leszczynski, a deposed King of Poland and father-in-law of Louis XV.

The gloriously filigreed gold gates at each corner and entrances are stunning.

This is the Cafe Foy at the southwest corner of Place Stanislas, where I had lunch today with the conference organizer and a doctoral student specializing in philosophy and dance. This is one of the more specialized areas of aesthetics, and it's always great fun talking with academics who share my passion for the artform.

I ordered Quiche Lorraine. Nancy is in the Lorraine region, what else! It was fabulous. I was surprised that my hosts were not familiar with Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, where so many Americans learned how to make that quiche and much more.

South of Place Stanislas I spotted this ambitious trompe l'oiel on the side of some commercial buildings.

A sleek tram line cuts through the city. Great public transportation is not limited to large cities in Europe.

More beautiful gates frame the entrance to the Place de la Carriere, once used for cavalry drills, now linking Palais Ducal and Place Stanislas.

North of Place Stanislas is the Palais Ducal, tracing to the 13th century, although it was damaged and restored several times. It now houses the Historical Museum of Lorraine.

Northwest of the Palais Ducal is the L'église des Cordeliers, a church dating from the 15th century and the burial site for the dukes of Lorraine.

NOTE: Click on any image in this blog to see it full-size.