France: Nancy – Place Stanislas and Around

Nancy, a town in Lorraine province of France is famous for the large square called Place Stanislas built in the late 1700s by the then Duke of Lorraine Stanislas I. Interestingly Stanislas was the King of Poland until the Swedish and Russians deposed him and installed another. Stanislas fled to France where his daughter happened to meet and marry Louis XV of France. Stanislas became the Duke of Lorraine with Nancy being its capital. The Place Stanislas is a magnificent square of white marble buildings and Hotel de Ville in the center. Arch de Triumph is at the entrance to the square and all the gates are adorned with gold as are the buildings, the statues, and the lights. Exploring Nancy further, one can find more city gates, a gothic cathedral, and several historic building and a lot of parks. The whole town is basically a collection of wide squares interconnected and surrounded by parks.