Vandoeuvre-Lès-Nancy: Nature, Culture and History

Vandoeuvre-Lès-Nancy brings several themes into your travel planning: the municipal deciduous forest of Bois de la Champelle, an art trail through Vandœuvre and its parks, and the history of old Vandoeuvre. Viewpoints, churches and a market add to the picture of the town. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can weigh up whether nature, art or local history should be your main focus when planning.

Forest and Nature Observation

Bois de la Champelle is a 61.51-hectare municipal deciduous forest. In June 2016, it was added to the “Refuges Nature ASPAS” network of the Association pour la Protection des Animaux Sauvages; it is supported by the Fédération FLORE 54. The refuge protects all wildlife, and hunting is prohibited.

There are two walking trails in Bois de la Champelle. The Enrichards educational trail is for walkers who want to learn about the natural and historical heritage of the hillside. Its facilities make it possible to observe birds, mammals and trees, as well as learn about interactions between plants and insects. The trail thus combines nature observation with a historical perspective on the hillside.

Views Across the Landscape

From the heights of Vandœuvre, the view extends as far as Grand Couronné; to the south, it reaches Portois and the middle Vosges. The vista is therefore defined both by a named destination and by a distant view to the south. The Chapelle Notre Dame des Pauvres also offers a beautiful panorama; an orientation table is located there as well.

Art and Culture

The “3.54” art trail is 3.54 kilometers long, runs through Vandœuvre and its parks, and showcases works by local, national and international artists. Its length is specified precisely, while the artists represented span local, national and international levels.

Since 2000, the Centre Culturel André Malraux has held the “Scène Nationale” designation awarded by the French Ministry of Culture. While the art trail showcases works by different groups of artists, this designation adds an institutional aspect to the cultural profile.

Historic Vandoeuvre

In old Vandoeuvre, a wine-growing village on a hillside, there are attractive houses dating from the 16th to the 18th century. The Church of Sainte Melaine dates from the 15th and 16th centuries and houses a Pietà, sculptures and interesting stained-glass windows. The dates therefore range from the 15th to the 18th century, overlapping in the 16th century for the church and houses. In addition to their construction dates, the works and stained-glass windows mentioned also form part of the church’s historical profile.

Market and Range of Goods

The Marché de Vandoeuvre sells fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, baked goods and spices. Industrially manufactured goods, handcrafted products and ready-to-wear clothing are also available. The selection thus ranges from food to other categories of goods. If you are planning a market visit, check the latest dates and vendors; both may vary.

Discover more destinations: Thiaucourt-Regniéville, Lucey, Bruley, Puxe, Dieulouard, Franconville, Jaulny, Briey

Return to the regional travel overview: Meurthe-Et-Moselle.