The Palais Ducal was the seat of the Dukes of Lorraine for nearly three centuries. Today it houses the Musée Lorrain, one of the best regional history museums in France, covering Lorraine's history from prehistoric times through the Duchy, the Wars of Religion, and into the modern period. The collection includes medieval sculpture, Renaissance furnishings, and a remarkable collection of engravings by Jacques Callot.
The building itself is as interesting as its contents. The Grande Porterie, the main gatehouse, is a masterpiece of late Gothic stonework, and the inner courtyard is flanked by arcaded galleries in the Flemish Renaissance style — a reminder of how connected Lorraine was to the Low Countries during the ducal period. The church of the Cordeliers, attached to the palace, holds the tombs of the ducal family.