Nancy, Rouen or Lille

Unfortunately, I haven't been to Lille, which I suspect may be the No. 1 choice of those three for your purposes. I don't think you'd be disappointed in the others, though. I loved Nancy for its Art Nouveau museum (Musee de l'Ecole de Nancy) and many Art Nouveau buildings. It also has a Museum of Fine Arts. I loved Rouen for its gorgeous (rebuilt) historic center, and it has a surprisingly interesting wrought-iron museum as well as a Museum of Fine Arts.

I can only help you with Lille, where I have visited twice as day trips from Arras. Apart from its art connection, Lille itself is worth seeing, the major urban and cultural center in Northern France with its university, etc. Can't say anything on Nancy, where I should have already visited as it is in Lorraine.

I know nothing of Nancy, sadly, but I can recommend the others!

The art museum in Rouen really is nothing to write home about (though the city itself is lovely with great museums)- however the one in Lille is spectacular. Some say it's the second best art museum in France---and I agree with it. Though really, if you love art that much I would suggest you spend both days in Lille and take a day trip to the Louvre-Lens in Lens (via train) and La Piscine in Roubaix (via tramway). You will not regret this.

Lille really gets me a good art fix. There are a few other excellent art museums in the area (though modern) that I love.

Thanks for the info. Going with Lille and Rouen with maybe a partial day trip to Roubiax. Nancy may have to wait for another trip.

I enjoyed the Rouen Museum of Fine Arts. Not world class maybe, but it is a great stop. Plus you get to see one of the paintings of the Rouen Cathedral by Monet, and then go see the real thing a couple of blocks away. The old downtown , which is where the cathedral is, is a wonderful medieval downtown walking area. Can't speak to Lille or Nancy.