European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 10, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thi France  the double staircase in the town Hall is adorned a with the works of Jean Lamour. Above. The courtyard of Ducal Palace now known As the Lorraine historical museum right. The Lorraine museum. Forty rooms of paintings furniture Wood carvings and magnificent tapestries await those who visit. The paintings include those by world renowned artists Jacques Bellangy Jean Leclerc Claude Derouet and Georges de la tour. Plan on spending several hours for a thorough visit. Back outside antique shops and modern boutiques line the rest of the Grande Rue As it stretches northward toward the place de la car Fere and the place Stanislas. Stanislas Leczinski the former King of Poland who became the ruler of Lorraine in 1737, designed the expansive Square or place and it was built in the mid-1700s by Emmanuel h6re. Massive gilded wrought Iron Gates stand guard at the four Corners of the Square. The Gates a created by sculptor Barthelemy Guibal a Are about 12 feet High Frame the breathtaking fountains of Neptune and amphitrite and visually Anchor the Square. Surrounding the Majestic Square Are mid-t7tlvcentury buildings that Combine with the Square to create an air of european architectural opulence. The buildings share facades that Are pierced by Large arcades the roof terraces Are lined with balustrades decorated with Stone vases trophies and mythical figures. During the summer months a nightly Light show bathes the Square in Pale subdued Light. Many local restaurants and Coffee shops offer an Ideal place to enjoy the remnants of Daylight before it slips away and the lights engulf the Square. On one Side of the Square lies the Mammoth Nancy town Hall built about 1753, with its magnificent Interior Stone and wrought Iron staircase. On the West Side of the Square is the Fine arts museum housing a Large collection of european paintings and sculptures by Rubens Lebrun and Claude Dauphin to name a few. Tour guide Paul Sandoul called Nancy one of the forgotten tourist spots of France. Quot Nancy s history is not quite so Long As some other French cities. But it has a Beauty a vitality that sets it apart from other places in France. Quot when the Sun rises in the morning across the old City Well it s just a Beautiful sight. Nancy has Many things to  As one surveys the City it almost seems As if walking might be considered the sole pastime of the City s residents. Locals and visitors Rush Here and there and ultimately it seems wind up just a Block from the place Stanislas at the place de la car fore. Once a Riding area for horses the massive place de la Carri amp re measures nearly 1,000 feet by 185 feet. The former Riding area is now a Par like expanse of Shade Trees and fountains. The buildings that line the place were refurbished in the 16th Century and the surroundings can make a visitor feel he or she is walking on a movie set. At one end of the Pace is a Large i arc Detriomphe built in the mid-1700s and capped with columns and statues of Mars Hercules and Minerva the Arch sought to glorify the accomplishments of Louis Xiv. Walking leisurely Down the place under the Stern gaze of Stone gargoyles and other mythical creatures a visitor will reach the hem Icycle at the opposite end. Along the Way however there Are plenty of Stone benches on which to sit and eat a Sandwich bought from a seemingly endless Supply of Street vendors. The hem Icycle with its curved colonnades serves As the modern Day governor s Palace. If Renaissance cathedrals interest you Don t neglect the primate ale of Nancy just a few blocks from the old City on Rue Saint Georges. Also on Rue Saint Georges is an indoor Market with hundreds of stalls Selling fish vegetables meat Chicken sandwiches and Flowers to name just a few of the Many items the smells that Rise from the Market can make a visitor think he is Are walking through one of the finest fish markets on the East coast Nancy is the kind of place you could visit for a Day or a week. Time and interests Are the Only limiting factors. Whether you want to walk in the ancient footsteps of Royalty explore dungeons eat in an ultramodern restaurant shop in an elegant and exclusive boutique or buy that elusive antique a Nancy s got it a getting there from the Kaiserslautern area take autobahn 6 West into France and continue until you reach Metz. Head South and follow the signs for Nancy. Sandoul the place de la Carriere links the old town with the new Section. In the Center is the eglise  photos by John Bohmer february 10, 1994 stripes Magazine 7