Nancy is a city in the north-eastern region of France that appears a number of times on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is home to various different higher education institutions, the largest of which is The University of Lorraine. Lots of students are drawn to Nancy from countries around the world to attend this and other institutions in the area.
There are obviously lots of great sights to enjoy in Nancy, including the World Heritage Sites like Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière, and Place d’Alliance. You can also soak up the region’s culture in any of the various museums dotted about the city. Nancy is a great place for expats and students to live, with plenty of entertainment on offer in the centre of the city, plus a good selection of restaurants, bars, and clubs to sample.
The cost of renting in Nancy is reasonable, with the average cost of one-bedroom apartments in Nancy ranging from €350 in the city suburbs to around €500 inside the city centre. With a wide range of accommodation available across the city, you can find anything from rooms in Nancy to rent within larger apartments if you’re on a budget, or houses and apartments with multiple bedrooms for expats relocating with the family. Apartments for rent in Nancy can be found on Nestpick by using our handy search tool. Find out what’s available for you right now.
Apartments in Nancy by area
Depending on what you’re looking for from your home in Nancy, there are some great locations to choose from across the city, whether you want the busyness of the ‘New Town,’ the tradition of Vieille Ville – Léopold, or the peace and quiet of many of the outlying suburbs.
The east of the city borders the River Meurthe, so you can find some nice housing and apartments here with great views over the water. There are also some nice residential areas outside of the city with easy access to local schools and parks, making them ideal for moving to Nancy with young children. Nancy is a reasonably sized city, so no matter which area you choose to live in, you’ll still have easy access to the city centre and all of its attractions.
Best areas for Apartments in Nancy
Apartments in Vieille Ville – Léopold
The quarter of Vieille Ville – Léopold is the oldest part of Nancy, France. It retains its traditional feel, made up of quaint, narrow streets and home to incredible architectural sights from centuries past, such as the Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine and Porte de la Craffe. The old town is a great tourist attraction, but it won’t get as crowded as your larger cities in France, most notably Paris. This makes it a great place for expats who want to settle down while still experiencing the culture of a French city.
The district is also home to Parc de la Pépinière, a large park where you can take part in sporting activities, go on walks, or just enjoy the surroundings. Living in the Old Town puts you right at the heart of the city, so you’ve got access to plenty of amenities and points of interest or entertainment. It has quite a bohemian vibe, with lots of independent and alternative bars, and small art galleries and theatres. You’ll also find Musée Lorrain, where you can learn all about the history of this region of France.
You can find a range of apartments in the area of Vieille Ville – Léopold, whether you’re looking for a room to rent or an apartment for yourself or your family. Many students and professional expats choose this area as it puts them close to the action, with lots of bars and other facilities nearby, as well as a campus for the University of Lorraine.
Apartments in Charles III – Centre Ville
The New Town, Charles III – Centre Ville borders Vieille Ville – Léopold at the centre of Nancy. This part of the city was built between the 16th – 18th centuries as an extension of Nancy’s Old Town, so it displays a lot of 18th century architecture. It is home to one of the most famous attractions of Nancy, Place Stanislas, one of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Other sights in this area include the spectacular Nancy Cathedral and the Opéra national de Lorraine.
Centre Ville also contains the city’s main train station, Gare de Nancy. This makes it a good location for expats living in Nancy who need to travel across or out of the city for work, or for taking weekend trips to nearby European cities. Centre Ville is a much more commercial part of the city with a nice array of shops to choose from, as well a large, covered food market in one of the city’s main squares. It is generally a busier part of the city compared to the Old Town, especially when traffic is concerned.
The New Town has a good mix of traditional residential buildings as well as some more modern apartments on offer for people moving to the area. If you want to be close to the action and in a good position for commuting, then Charles III – Centre Ville is the best place for you in Nancy. Check Nestpick for the latest listings in this area.
Student accommodation Nancy
More than 47,000 students call Nancy, France their home during term times. The city has a relatively low cost of living and renting compared to many major European cities, and there is a range of affordable accommodation available for the city’s students. Student accommodation in Nancy is mostly concentrated around the New Town of Charles III – Centre Ville, but you’ll find a range of options around the city.
Student Residence Les Academies Lorraines Nancy, just outside of the old town, is a large student residence with more than 100 rooms to rent for students. As well as rooms to rent, you will also find some affordable housing close to the campuses to share with other students. These are really social ways for students to live and make friends in a new city and country. For students looking for some more privacy, you can also find studio apartments in the city in the range of €400 - €600 per month. The large student population also means that the student nightlife is nice and lively.
Nancy public transport
Public transport in Nancy consists of tram lines, trolley buses, and regular bus services. These provide good coverage of the city, allowing residents and visitors to get to and from the centre of the city and around its various suburbs. A single ticket on the bus costs €1.50, or you can pay €3.30 for unlimited travel for a single day. If you are travelling a lot to and from work, for example, then you can also choose to buy a monthly travel pass for just €29.
For travel further afield, the Garde de Nancy in the centre of the city provides trains directly to a number of France’s major cities, including Paris, Lyon, Metz, and Strasbourg.