The small European city that’s like a ‘mini Paris’ without the crowds – and it’s a few hours from the UK
A LOT of people feel let down by their visits to Paris, due to it not living up to their expectations.
Whether it’s the overcrowded tourist attractions or the dirtier-than-expected streets, the French capital can often leave people feeling disappointed.
So much so that a condition called “Paris syndrome” has been named after the sense of lamentation some people feel when failing to be thrilled by the city.
However, those people shouldn’t give up on France altogether as a destination, with other cities maybe offering the romance and glamour that they’re hoping for.
One such city is Nancy, which has been described as a “miniature Paris” that offers much better tourist experience than the capital.
The Independent labelled it as such, saying: “Designed in the style of Versailles and Paris’s Place Vendome, Nancy is like the French capital in miniature, without the crowds.”
They explained that the city was designed in the style of Paris by Stanislas, the dethroned king of Poland, after King Louis XIV married his daughter.
Stanislas was made Duke of Lorraine by Louis, and showed his gratitude by rebuilding the city.
They continued: “He copied the most opulent buildings in Paris, and all of the facades around the city’s main square, Place Stanislas, have a healthy dusting of gold.”
Place Stanislas is among the top sights to visit in Nancy, according to TripAdvisor, where it won a Traveller’s Choice award for 2023.
The large pedestrianised square is popular among tourists, with thousands of five-star reviews.
One wrote: “Pictures don’t give it credit. Worth coming just to see the square.”
Another said: “Only spent the night in Nancy on our way south, but am happy we did and glad we discovered Place Stanislas. It was so lovely, especially when lit up at night! Do not miss this.”
A third added: “You don’t really expect to find a place like this in a minor lesser known french city. You think you are in Vienna or Paris, but you are not! Very beautiful square.”
Another of Stanislas’ landmarks is the Parc de la Pépinière, known simply as “La Pep” by locals.
The most famous sight in the park is the Mozart bandstand, or Kiosque Mozart, which has been there since 1875.
It can be found in the English garden in the park, while a waffle stand that also sells ice creams has unsurprisingly become very popular with both locals and visitors.
There are monuments in Nancy that date back to before Stanislas began making his mark on the city.
La Porte de la Craffe is a huge gateway into the old town that used to be part of the city’s fortifications in the 14th century.
It rises above the streets behind it, offering a great view of the bars and cafes in the area.
One TripAdvisor review said the gate “seems to have come out of Disney world“.
As well as its architecture, Nancy’s cuisine will provide similar tastes to the Parisienne favourites.
In fact, macarons were first made popular in the city by two nuns, who were hiding in the city during the French Revolution in the 1790s.
They baked and sold the sweet treats to pay for their housing and became known as the macaron sisters.
Mirabelle plums, Saint Epvre cake and gingerbread are among a long list of famous snacks found throughout the city.
So for anyone who’s interested in a visit to Paris, but doesn’t want to risk being disappointed, maybe a trip to Nancy is a better option.
As The New York Times wrote: “In its beauty and its culture, Nancy is mostly like Paris for beginners.”
The easiest way to get to Nancy from the UK is via the Eurostar, with a quick change at Paris.
A night for two in the city can be booked from around £34.
Meanwhile, this UK city has been regularly compared to Venice.
And this seaside town is almost like visiting a Greek island.