Meet Mathias Lucien Rapeaud, Managing Director of Nancy Tourism and Events

What are Nancy's strengths?

M.-L. R. - First and foremost, its location at the centre of the new Grand Est region. The town is 1 hour 30 minutes from Paris and 1 hour from Strasbourg by train. It has all the ingredients for a pleasant stay, with its wide terraces, shops and restaurants, covered market... The town has its own distinctive art de vivre that makes it so endearing. And you can do it all on foot! Enjoy an ice cream on Place Stanislas, go to the opera, take in a concert at the Autre Canal, stroll through one or other of the six museums. It's a gentle blend of royal history, craftsmanship, tradition and innovation.

How is the destination evolving?

M.-L. R. - Nancy has enormous potential, thanks in the first place to its two major assets, namely its UNESCO-listed 18th-century ensemble and its status as the cradle of French Art Nouveau. Combined with a rich cultural programme and a wide range of activities, we have an offer that will appeal to a broad public in search of authenticity, originality and conviviality. Our major projects include Nancy Thermal, a 'wellness' complex scheduled for 2020, as well as major work on the Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine. Several hotels will also be getting a facelift, including a palace on Place Stanislas.

What are the ambitions of Nancy and the surrounding region for the future?

M.-L. R. - The momentum is strong, amplified by the city's status as a metropolis, the second largest in the Grand Est region after Strasbourg. We have great prospects for development. Leisure and business tourists, as well as event organisers, are leaving pleasantly surprised by a city that surprises as much as it surprises. As far as business tourism is concerned, our ambitions are clear: with the new convention centre and the creation of an events bureau, Nancy is now one of France's leading destinations. The work we've been doing for the past two years is bearing fruit. The assets are obvious. It's up to us to go out and win them over by stepping up the momentum and implementing a destination marketing approach.