Art & History Abroad Tours
Nancy and the Birth of Art Nouveau
The stately town of Nancy – a model of 18th-century town planning – enjoyed a second golden age at the turn of the 20th century, when glassmaker Émile Gallé founded the École de Nancy, which typifies the Art Nouveau movement in France.
This tour explores the history and rich legacy of the productive period with the city’s wonderful collection of Art Nouveau art, ceramics and architecture, in the company of expert and enthusiast Professor Anne Anderson, with a series of lectures and visits from your base in the heart of the city just 200 metres from the Place Stanislas.
From
£2,199
per person
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Professor Anne Anderson
Anne is an author, broadcaster and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, with a first degree in archaeology and a PhD in English. She was a senior lecturer in Art and Design History for fourteen years, specialising in the Aesthetic Movement, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism.
An experienced international speaker and published author, Anne has inspired Travel Editions travellers for more than fifteen years with her wit, wisdom and enthusiasm. Her tours reveal the connections between architecture, interiors and design, bringing the artistic revolutions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries vividly to life.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Journey by Rail to Nancy
Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris and onwards to Nancy by TGV. On arrival, transfer by coach to your hotel and check in at the four-star Mercure Stanislas, in the heart of the city.
Introductory lecture from Professor Anne Anderson, ‘Nancy: Ville d’Art’, followed by a welcome drink and dinner with wine at the stunning Art Nouveau Brasserie Excelsior restaurant a short walk from the hotel.
Day 2: Villa Majorelle and the École de Nancy Museum
Morning private visit to the imposing Villa Majorelle, reopened in 2020 after a major refurbishment, built for the artist Louis Majorelle by young Parisian architect Henri Sauvage who broke with traditional and symmetrical design in favour of reflecting the internal layout. During the visit you will get to see the original decoration and furnishings of the reception rooms and bedrooms as well as items of furniture, paintings and objects from the Ecole de Nancy collection.
Afternoon visit to the influential Ecole de Nancy Museum, the only museum in the world devoted entirely to a unique art movement, which houses a wonderful collection of furniture, fabrics, jewellery and Galle glassware in reconstructed Art Nouveau settings. The museum is housed in the property of Eugene Corbin, patron and promoter of the Nancy School in the early 20th century. We will also have some time to look at the garden, including an ‘aquarium’ door which was originally designed for Émile Gallé’s workshop.
We finish the day with a walking tour of the Parc de Saurupt housing estate. Evening at leisure.
Day 3: Parc de Saurupt and the Daum Glass Collection
Morning visit examining the wonderful glassware of the Musee des Beaux Arts, whose collection includes works by Delacroix, Manet, Monet and a wonderful selection of Daum glassware.
Afternoon walking tour led by Professor Anne Anderson to see some of the fantastic Art Nouveau architecture dotted throughout the city.
Evening lecture, ‘Art Nouveau: New art for the modern era’, followed by dinner with wine at the Brasserie Excelsior.
Image credit and thanks to © Regine Datin
Day 4: Meisenthal and the Musée Lalique
Today we drive two hours east of Nancy to Meisenthal, a small village renowned for its extraordinary glassmaking heritage and its central role in the evolution of Art Nouveau glass. Founded in 1704, the site here became a creative laboratory for master glassmaker Émile Gallé, whose pioneering work between 1867 and 1894 earned Meisenthal its reputation as the “cradle of Art Nouveau glass.”
We take a 2-hour guided tour including the Museum of Glass, showcasing three centuries of regional glass artistry and iconic Art Nouveau pieces, including works by Gallé himself. We also visit the Glass Blowing Factory, then have time for lunch.
In the afternoon, we visit Musée Lalique, dedicated to the genius of René Lalique, one of the greatest creators of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods. Opened in 2011 in the very village where Lalique established his glassworks in 1921, the museum celebrates artistic innovation and craftsmanship. Drive back to Nancy for a farewell dinner with wine in a local restaurant.
Image credit and thanks to © Musée Lalique
Day 5: Maison Bergeret, Chamber of Commerce and Return Home
Your final morning is spent visiting the wonderful Maison Bergeret, a stunning Art Nouveau house built in 1903. Next we stop at Nancy Chambre de Commerce, which was built between 1906-8, and is a showcase of the École de Nancy’s artistic brilliance. Its magnificent stained‑glass windows, designed by the famed artist Jacques Grüber, reflect the naturalistic forms and vibrant colours characteristic of the movement.
Transfer to the station for return TGV and Eurostar to Paris and onwards to London St Pancras.
Image credit and thanks to © Regine Datin
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Mercure Nancy Centre Place Stanislas, Nancy
Located just 200 metres from the historic Place Stanislas in the heart of the city, this four-star hotel is in an ideal location for our visits. The hotel has an Art Nouveau and Art Deco inspired design and offers a bar and comfortable, well-appointed bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, air-conditioning, minibar, safe, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Mercure Hotel Stanislas Nancy Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a demanding fitness rating and is designed for travellers who enjoy a more active pace of exploration. While it is not a walking holiday, you should expect busy days with extended periods on your feet and visits where conditions may be more varied. These may include uneven terrain, cobbled streets, archaeological sites, steep paths, steps, stairs, limited handrails or fewer opportunities to sit and rest.
A good level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the full experience of the itinerary. Please read the day-by-day itinerary carefully, as we highlight specific practical details wherever possible. This may include notes about ground conditions, stairs, walking distances, coach access or sites where lifts are not available.
If you have any questions about whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact our team before booking. We are always happy to talk through the itinerary and help you make the right choice.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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