Place de la Carrière, Historic square in Nancy, France

Place de la Carrière is an elongated space in Nancy framed by a triumphal arch at one end and the Palais du Gouverneur at the other. Mansions line both sides with classical features such as columns and mansard roofs throughout the length of the area.

This space began as a tournament ground for knights in the 16th century. During the 18th century, Duke Stanislaw Leszczynski redesigned the entire surroundings, creating a new urban structure.

The name comes from the carrières, the tournaments and ring games once held here. Emmanuel Héré unified the Renaissance mansion facades along the east and west sides in the classical style, and the square is closed by a hemicycle colonnade with statues and busts of Olympian gods. Look for the rocaille vases by Mesny and Lépy and the fountains with groups of children at the corners.

The square lies in Nancy's old town, separated from Place Stanislas only by the Arc Héré and the short rue Héré, so the two are crossed on foot in a few minutes. The surface is flat gravel and paving, with gates and lamp posts along the edges; the surrounding streets are narrow and best explored without a car.

A colonnade at the northern end of the space elegantly closes the area and connects it to the Palais du Gouverneur. This architectural solution creates a smooth transition between the open square and the monumental building.