Nancy or Strasbourg?

If you're not relying on the trains/buses, it seems like either would be fine. I suggest making a list of things you want to see and do in each city and the amount of time needed for each to determine whether one or the other is better suited to a day trip. You might also check to see which city is easier to park a car in, either for a day trip or at your accommodation. If neither of these inquiries answers the question, then I would turn to accommodation. With a car, you can stay anywhere. Maybe there is another town or even a resort in the area that appeals. A broad search on Booking.com will show all types of accommodation, and you can filter for things like on-site parking. Of course, you should book directly with the host if possible.

I personally find Strasbourg to be much more scenic than Nancy, and more walkable, but this is ultimately a matter of taste.
Strasbourg is less car-friendly, so bear that in mind when choosing a place to stay; your car will need a "Crit'air" environmental sticker (can be a problem if you rent it outside of France).

Thanks to both responders. Looks like we can find lodgings with parking spot provided in Strasbourg, so we'll likely stay there.

I'd argue for Nancy. It's less expensive, has better art and architecture, and better gardens. Strasbourg is where the EU admin is and parking sucks. I love the place around Christmas, but the rest of the year, not so much. And to go in the height of tourist season?

From Nancy you can visit Metz, Wissembourg, the wine road, the Maginot line, a couple WWII museums on the border, Haguenau, all the touristy towns near Strasbourg, the pottery villages, St Avold (the Lorraine American Cemetery is there), and Verdun and the Meuse battlefields. Plus, don't forget the German side of the border; remember this area had belonged to both countries over the past 200 years. You have Baden Baden, Saarbrucken, Trier, Bad Berzaben, or Annweiler (with castle Trifels where Richard the Lion Hearted was imprisoned).

If you have a car you can swing over to Arracourt where Patton's 3rd Army fought a huge tank battle, or go to Langres, which is a very interesting and scenic town nobody visits.

Strasbourg is down in the Lorraine, it's much less centrally located than is Nancy.

Comparing the hotel prices between Metz and Strasbourg, I found the difference to be exceedingly high in Strasbourg, even for 2 star places. In the summer I get prices for a 3 star hotel close to the train station, just all around nice, for 70 Euro en suite.

If you're interested WW1, particularly in French and German sites, which I focus on, I would suggest staying in Metz, all the more so, as you will be mortorised.

Re: visitng Nancy.

I was there in Sept 2024. The city celebrated its liberation by US troops in 1944. I saw posters attesting to that event. The architecture in Nancy makes the place a step in time, ie back to the 18th century. Place Stanislas is the site to go, captivating.

Having been to both, Nancy just last fall, I would pick Strasbourg. It's larger and more interesting. Nancy's fine -- don't get me wrong, but Strasbourg has more to do and see.

Just remember: you don't pronounce the terminal "g" in Strasbourg.

I found that because of the EU presence Strasbourg was more of a "city." As in, they not only had a Galeries Lafayette but it had a Vuitton boutique inside.

Nancy is sort of a must for lovers of Art Nouveau, but Strasbourg is also very attractive.

Next to Nancy is the small town of Luneville, important in history connected to Napoleon, should that be in your interest. There is also the chateau in Luneville, ca 20 mins or so walk straight down from the train station, very 18th century and very modest compared to that in Nancy's Place Stanislas.

I went Luneville twice as day trips from Nancy.

You'll see the memorial plaque to General A. Patch of the US 7th Army whose troops liberated the city in 1944.

Everyone here has provided excellent information; merci beaucoup! We'll be staying in Strasbourg, but we'll also visit Metz, Nancy and Colmar, along with the Black Forest. WWI sites are also on our list.

Cannot go wrong with Colmar, a lovely town. There is a WW2 site there too, ie the Colmar Pocket, as well WW1 French and German cemeteries.

we stayed in Strasbourg for 5 days in the shoulder season, and it was crowded even then. If you go in high tourist season it will be even worse. And parking is a hassle in Strasbourg. Other than that, I would highly recommend Strasbourg. Peter