I'm looking for opinions as to which of these two cities would serve as a more enjoyable headquarters for a week in order to visit Alsace-Lorraine and southwestern Germany. I understand Nancy might be more scenic, but Strasbourg is more centrally located. Is that accurate? My wife wants to at least visit Baden-Baden, as that's where her father's family is from. We'll have a car, and we'll be there in early August.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
530 posts
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.
Posted by
Paris
7335 posts
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).
Posted by
OP
SoCal
1363 posts
Thanks to both responders. Looks like we can find lodgings with parking spot provided in Strasbourg, so we'll likely stay there.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1655 posts
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.
Posted by
San Francisco
15131 posts
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.
Posted by
San Francisco
15131 posts
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.