Built in the 18th century on the site of an old feudal castle, Lunéville Castle was the residence of Stanislas Leszczynski, Duke of Lorraine. Restored after a terrible fire that took place in 2003, this historic monument, known as the Lorraine Versailles, and its park form one of the finest architectural and landscape ensembles of the Enlightenment period.
The Church of St. James, with its remarkable organ, the Church of St. Joan of Arc with its impressive stained glass windows, the 18th-century synagogue and the contemporary Church of St. Leopold are examples of its religious heritage.
As well as its architectural treasures, Lunéville is also renowned for its faience pottery and embroidery. You can't visit Lunéville without passing by the Embroidery Conservatory: the town created the beaded embroidery scattered with sequins that was embraced by the fashion world in the Art Nouveau period and the 1920s. The same goes for the museum about faience pottery, another of the town's glories since the 17th century. It has superb collections of pottery from Lunéville, Saint-Clément, Sarreguemines and Delft.
The Abbot's Garden, an 18th-century kitchen garden where vegetables and aromatic plants are still grown, is lively all summer long with classical music concerts and contemporary art exhibitions.
At the confluence of the Meurthe and the Vezouze, Lunéville is located less than 2 hours from TGV, 30 km from Nancy and close to the Vosges ski slopes. The first city of Meurthe-et-Moselle to have been labeled city of art and history, in April 2019, Lunéville has been noticed for the architectural quality of its city center, its landscapes and the wealth of its intangible heritage.
Lunéville has a castle on its territory, nicknamed the Lorraine Petit Versailles. Built in the eighteenth century, it is at the heart of the history of Lorraine, but also from France and Europe. Historical characters stayed there, like Marie Leszczynska and Marie-Antoinette (Queens de France, wives of Louis XV and Louis XVI).
The Saint-Jacques church has a unique hidden pipe organ in Europe. The merchant's house is a remarkable building to the finely chopped facade in the characteristic pink sandstone of the Vosges. The synagogue is the first to have been built in France since the Middle Ages. Rue de Lorraine, the Italian Theater and the Treaty House, where Joseph Bonaparte signed the Treaty of Lunéville with Austria in 1801, are also part of the curiosities to discover.
Traces of an industrial past turned towards the art trades are still very present. The royal manufactures of faience as well as the conservatory of embroidery remain the living witnesses of this period. Gastronomy side, two specialties listed in the French culinary heritage, were invented at Lunéville for King Stanislas: The Baba at the rum and the bite to the Queen.
Each year, demonstrations of regional or even national span are organized, among which the Fat Fair, Scenes in Saddle (equestrian festival), Lorraine is great, the livestock festival, the feast of the potimarron, or the International autumn living room (paintings and sculptures). Exhibitions are offered throughout the year, including the castle and in the two museum spaces that are the Abbatial Hotel and the Tower of the Bell (within the Saint-Jacques Church).
All in a floral and green frame recognized by 4 flowers at the label of the towns and villages.
Nicknamed the Versailles Lorrain, the castle of Lunéville was built in the heart of the 18th century. High Place under the reigns of Leopold I and Stanislas Leszczynski, the father-in-law of Louis XV, he was classified as historical monuments at the end of the 1990s. Partly destroyed in 2003 following a fire, he did the Object of many works and still opens up its restored rooms to the public. Inside, it is possible to admire the palatal chapel used now for concerts or conferences, the guard room, the vaulted halls of the basement or the very beautiful southern honor reminiscent of that of the Castle of Maisons-Laffitte. Outside, after the courses of honor and common, green spaces are not lacking. You can walk in the small park of the Bosquets surrounding the many French gardens. You can discover four statues of Barthélémy Guibal, vestiges of the great hours of the castle, flora, Apollo touling a dragon, Diane accompanied by a greyhound and night.
Also built in the eighteenth century, the castle of the favorite also deserves that it is attracted to it. Classified with historical monuments, it was built in its time for the last son of Leopold I, Charles-Alexander of Lorraine. Rehabilitated in the nineteenth century, it still presents in its interior a stucco salon on two levels as well as a very nice vestibule exhibiting the figure of Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine.
Do not miss to admire the city hall of Lunéville currently located in the old buildings of the Abbey Saint-Rémy from the eighteenth century. Right next door, the church, renamed the church Saint-Jacques, unveils a mixture of classic style and rococo, including towers reminiscent of the architecture of Central Europe.
Several religious buildings take place at Lunéville, apart from the Church of St. Jacques, like the Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc church, first dedicated to the Holy in France. Built in the twentieth century, it is registered with historical monuments for its architecture evoking the high chateaux of the Middle Ages. Inside, about twenty stained glass windows are the largest johan of the world. You can also discover the churches Saint-Maur and Saint-Léopold or the former Benedictine Priory of Menil who serves today private school. The synagogue, from the eighteenth century, is the first built in France since the Middle Ages. It is today classified with historical monuments.
By walking in Lunéville, you will be able to admire the only vestige of the old medieval ramparts, the white tower, as well as the theater to the Italian city of the city.
Built in the eighteenth century, the house of the merchant is also classified with historical monuments. It unrivals a classic pink stoneware facade in Vosges.
Not far from the castle, a conservatory of embroidery makes it possible to discover the history of this technique at Lunéville and to admire very beautiful old and modern works.
The markets are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday morning, Léopold Place. A traditional and festive Christmas market is held every year in December on this same place.
The traditional Fat Fair, bringing together hundreds of camelots, always takes place on the eve of Tuesday in the streets of the old center.
Between March and April, the Festant Facto highlights the crossed arts and the original theater with different live shows.
An equestrian festival has been proposed in August since 2020. The program, shows, performances or animations in several locations of the city center.
Animations take place all summer at Lunéville Castle, including a sound and light show.
Every July 13, the city celebrates the National Day with a military parade, a popular ball or fireworks.
In September, Potimarron's Day stands at Lunéville Castle, offering animations for young and old, floral stands or tastings.
The livestock festival is held every year at the Bosquet Park in September.
