Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine

The Renaissance palace of the Dukes of Lorraine stands in the heart of the Vieille Ville, its Gothic portal decorated with an equestrian statue of René II. The palace now houses the Musée Lorrain, one of the best regional history museums in France, with collections covering Lorraine's art, archaeology, Jewish heritage, and military history from ancient Gaul to the 20th century.

The courtyard is among the most graceful Renaissance spaces in France — proportioned more like an Italian palace than a northern European fortification. The Cordeliers Church alongside it contains the tombs of the Dukes of Lorraine. The combination of palace, museum, and church represents the heart of old Nancy, a short walk north from Place Stanislas through the Porte de la Craffe.

things to do sight museum historic
A story
The palace's most famous resident was Charles the Bold of Burgundy, who died here on 5 January 1477 during the Battle of Nancy — his frozen body was found in a nearby pond, his face half-eaten by wolves. With his death Burgundy's bid to become a great European power collapsed, and the region fell under French influence. The skull believed to be Charles the Bold's is displayed in the museum.

Other places in Things to Do