NANCY FAQ`S

What airports service Nancy?

Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport is a small regional airport, located about 18 miles north of Nancy. The airport hosts only regional flights (Lyon, Toulouse, Mediterranean coast). Access to and from the city is provided by road (A31 motorway) or by shuttles (fare is about €8).

However, international travelers should be aware that it is more convenient to fly directly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and then take a TGV train to the gare Lorraine TGV and connect to Nancy.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

From Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport you can grab a shuttle bus to Nancy city center; the journey takes about 30 minutes and costs about €8.

How do I get to Nancy by Train?

The train station on the line linking Paris`s Gare de l`Est to Nancy is just about 90 minutes on the TGV train. A one-way fare ranges between €48 and about €99 return. Trains from Strasbourg arrive in Nancy every hour, a one-way fare costs around €25.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

The train station Nancy-Ville is just about a 10-minute walk to the heart of the city. Taxis are available to take you to further destinations. Car rentals can also be found at the station.

How do I get around by Taxi?

Taxi services are available in the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are always taxis outside the train station and some circulating around. You can order in advance from the major taxi companies:

- Taxi de Nancy - +33383 376 537; www.taxis-nancy.com
- Taxi Servi Trans 54 - +33 383 635 555

Is Nancy a walking city?

Walking is one of the easiest and most pleasant ways to get around. The city center is very compact, so most places of interest can be easily reached on foot. For example, walking from the railway station to the Porte Sainte-Catherine takes about 20 min. Many streets are pedestrian-only.

I will have a car in Nancy, where can I park?

The streets of the city are narrow and not adapted to mass traffic. The use of cars in the historic center is strongly discouraged, and many are pedestrian-only or one-way streets. Surface parking is rare and expensive. Avoid driving within the city if you can.

You can park your car at the train station or south of Place Stanislas at the Vinci Parking, 6 rue Claude Charles. There are several underground car parks in the center, as well as three park and ride car parks on the outskirts of the city. Park and ride is managed by STAN, below are the stations available.

- Mouzimpré (250 cars) in Essey-les-Nancy
- Saint-Georges (150 cars) in Nancy
- CHU Brabois (100 cars) at Nancy-Brabois Teaching Hospital

What are the local transportation options available in Nancy?

The public transportation system is operated by the Reseau Stan, known as STAN. It consists of the tramway and buses and is useful for moving around greater Nancy, between downtown Nancy and its suburbs.

Bus tickets are available for about €1.50 and can be purchased from the driver, the ticket is valid for one hour after validation. If you take the tram, you`ll need to use the vending machines at each stop (only accept change, no bank notes). If you are considering using public transportation during your stay, you may want to purchase `Pass 10` for around €9 or a `Pass Decouverte` which is about €3.30 and allows unlimited trips during a 24 hour time period.

There are two STAN offices in the city, where you can find maps and timetables, purchase tickets or ask for information about the network.

- Espace Transport (Gare deNancy-Ville), Place de la République (Within the main railway station, near the exit 'République'), Tel +33 383 300 808.
- Agence STAN, 3, rue du Docteur Schmitt (near the marketplace), Tel +33 383300 808.

How do I get around by bike?

There are about 80 miles of safe bike routes in the Greater Nancy area. Cycling can be an excellent way to get around, especially in the warmer months. The city has a bike rental system called VelOStan`lib, offering both short-and long-term bike rental.

The short-term service is called VélOstan`lib and is quite similar to those found in other French cities. Users can to pick up, and drop bicycles to and from over 25 points around the city. You need a credit card to make use of the service. A one-day ticket is free for the first 30 minutes of each ride, then it will cost you about €1 for 30 to 60 min, then around €2 every additional 30 min.

Is Nancy a dangerous city?

Nancy is a relatively quiet town, but the usual advice applies. Beware of pickpockets, mostly in crowded buses and in the pedestrian streets. Do not leave any luggage out of view as it might disappear. If you`re taking the bus with a backpack, it`s better putting it between your feet than keeping it on your back.

Most of the upper northern neighborhoods, known as `Plateau de Haye`, as well as the commune of Vandoeuvre, have the reputation to be undesirable areas. As there is little of interest for tourists there, it is probably better to avoid these areas altogether.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency used in Nancy is the euro (€), US dollars are not accepted. You can get euros in different banks opened from Monday to Saturday and automatic cash points opened 24 hours a day. The city center has numerous ATMs, several are along rue Saint-Jean or Saint-Dizier.

We recommend that you exchange a small amount of cash prior to your trip, enough for a cab ride or basic spending on arrival. It is also useful to remind your bank and credit card company that you will be traveling to make sure your cards will work while in France. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.

Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

Nancy, like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.

For more information about tipping visit: Tipping in France

What is the weather like? When is the best time to go?

The best months for good weather in Nancy are June, July, August and September. On average, the warmest month is August. Historically, January is the coldest month of the year and June is generally the rainiest month.

I don`t speak French. Will many people speak English?

French is the official language spoken in Nancy. Hotel and restaurant staff in Nancy likely speak enough that you can communicate your order or check into your hotel, but it`s always polite to at least try the local language. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What are the important events that take place in Nancy?

Saint-Nicolas Day (start of December): Since the Middle Ages, Saint-Nicolas has been celebrated on 6th December throughout Lorraine. It is in Nancy that this Saint is celebrated the most exuberantly, with two days of music, parades, lights and laughter and an extraordinary show on place Stanislas.

The place Stanislas `Rendez-vous`: Every evening throughout summer the UNESCO listed Royal Square is revealed in all its glory by a breath-taking and poetic display of sights and sounds.

The `Livre sur la Place` fair: The first large national fair heralding the start of France`s literary season welcomes 400 authors and 120,000 visitors to place Carrière.

Nancy Jazz Pulsations: the festival that put Eastern France on the music map. Held at the temporary gardens in place Stanislas.

The International Choral Music Festival: This festival, which takes place every two years, has become a major popular event in Lorraine`s cultural year.

Nancy phonies: Music festival that typically takes place in late June through August with numerous concerts throughout the city.

What is the Pass Lorraine?

The Pass Lorraine includes more than 170 special offers to discover Lorraine at discount prices. Castles, museums, theme parks, remembrance sites, gardens, events, restaurants and farmhouse inns: a multitude of activities are on offer. The Pass is completely free and available at Nancy Tourist Office.

What is the Nancy Museum Pass?

This is a combination ticket to the museums of the city of Nancy and the Grand Nancy region. The `Museo Pass` is valid for 10 days after its initial use. It allows access to the six museums of the `Grand Nancy` and the `Galerie Poirel` for around €15. Tickets can be purchased at the museums of the `Grand Nancy` or the tourist office.

What are the best areas for nightlife?

There is always something to do when it comes to nightlife in Nancy. The city is quite active, due to the presence of many students and the nightlife is varied. Whether winter or summer, in bars and nightclubs, at concerts and shows, in restaurants of all prices, it can all be found in Nancy. Nancy has its fair share of Irish pubs, wine bars, cafes, and other drinking establishments. Major nightlife spots are in the Old Town and near place Stanislas.

Nancy also offers an impressive cultural program as it is home to a National Opera, a Symphony Orchestra, Ballets from the National Choreographic Center, La Manu (national Drama Center), the cultural hug l`Ensemble poirel, the Concert Halland performance center L`Autre Canal and numbers of small theatres.

What is the food like?

Nancy and the surrounding areas are surrounded by pastries, confectioners, and chocolates to explore. Nancy is best known for its sweet specialties: the pearlescent Macarons (said to have been invented in Nancy); the golden Bergamotes; Mirabelle Plums, used in tarts, sauces, jams, spirits and liquors; Paind`Epices, aromatic spiced bread; and Saint Epvre, two disks of almond meringue, sandwiched together with vanilla cream and nougat then dusted with icing sugar.

You will find the regional dishes to be savory. Some of the popular items that you will find on most all menus are the quiches Lorraine, potees (hotpot), Bouchees a la Reine (chicken vols-au-vent), and Lorraine pâté. You`ll also find endless combinations of venison or riverfish cooked with seasonal vegetables and fruits, sourced locally.

You can find these local delicacies throughout Nancy in our many superb restaurants. Some focus specifically on local and regional cuisine while some have a broader French influence. There are also a number of other options ranging from international restaurants to sellers of fresh, crusty baguettes with your choice of filling.

At the covered market on Rue St. Dizier you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, a couple of butchers, a triperie, and one stand that sells fresh fish, as well as a couple of small restaurants.

What are the best areas for shopping?

Lorraine is the home to many producers of quality art products such as crystal, pottery and enamel. This creative region is also home to the exclusive Vosges weavings, fine and contemporary fabrics, with a long reputation for exceptional quality. Just outside the Place Stanislas gates in Nancy, you can find boutiques of crystal wares, pottery and enamel.

You can find all the big brands, but you will also find many smaller, more intimate boutiques, where more than likely you will meet the designers themselves. Nancy has many other local products, including arts and crafts and the many sweet shops. Many of these sweet shops will be offering their variation of the sweet treat.

The Old town area offers charming boutiques with fine delicatessens, art galleries, and antique shops, some of which are renowned specialists from the school of Nancy.

The central market in the new city is the place to go for all the regional smells and yummy tastes. The quartier is also home of a Sunday food market.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Emergency dial 112

There are two major hospitals:

-C.H.U de Brabois - Rue Morvan, tel. +33 383 153 030
-C.H.U Hôpital Central - 29, avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, tel. +33 383 858 585