Jardin Éphémère
A monumental plant installation on Place Stanislas in Nancy
2026
About Jardin Éphémère
Jardin Éphémère — edition 2026
23rd edition of the Jardin Éphémère on Place Stanislas in Nancy, from October 2nd to November 1st, 2026. This edition, titled « Ma racine au fond des bois », pays tribute to Émile Gallé, an emblematic figure of the École de Nancy, on the occasion of the 180th anniversary of his birth. Free admission, day and night.
« Ma racine au fond des bois » — tribute to Émile Gallé
For its 23rd edition, from October 2nd to November 1st, 2026, the Jardin Éphémère on Place Stanislas celebrates Émile Gallé, master glassmaker and major figure of the École de Nancy, whose work was deeply inspired by nature and the plant world. The edition coincides with the 180th anniversary of the birth of the Lorraine artist.
A scenography inspired by the master glassmaker's workshop
The landscape composition evokes the entrance to Émile Gallé's workshops and creates a dialogue between plants and glass creations. This year, the garden is enlarged by approximately 1,000 m² compared to 2025, with three times more planting beds incorporating glass pieces. A staircase installed around the statue of Stanislas offers an elevated viewpoint over the entire square transformed into a poetic and immersive plant scene.
A responsible and accessible installation for all
Designed and created by the gardeners of the City of Nancy, the Jardin Éphémère mobilizes several thousand plants and numerous trees in a sustainable approach: recycled materials and plants subsequently reused in other green spaces of the city. The installation is freely accessible throughout its duration, day and night, thanks to nocturnal lighting that enhances the compositions. An interactive game allows visitors to discover the life and work of Émile Gallé throughout the route.
Highlights Jardin Éphémère 2026
- 23rd edition, from October 2nd to November 1st, 2026 on Place Stanislas
- Theme « Ma racine au fond des bois », tribute to Émile Gallé (180th anniversary of his birth)
- Scenography evoking the master glassmaker's workshop door, glass creations integrated into the beds
- Garden enlarged by approximately 1,000 m², three times more planting beds
- Staircase around the statue of Stanislas for an elevated view
- Interactive game about the life and work of Émile Gallé
- Free admission, day and night
Programme Jardin Éphémère 2026
The 2026 Jardin Éphémère will take place from October 2nd to November 1st, 2026, on the Place Stanislas, with free, 24/7 access. The City of Nancy has announced a program of events following the usual format: guided discovery tours (on select days at 11:00 am), access to the square's balconies on Sundays for an aerial view, themed lunch-time lectures, and educational workshops for school groups and children during the week. The detailed schedule (specific dates and times for each event) has not yet been released by the City of Nancy; it is typically published closer to the opening, in late September.
Prices Jardin Éphémère 2026
Practical information — Jardin Éphémère
Access and Transport
The Jardin Éphémère is located on the Place Stanislas, in the heart of Nancy's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The square is one of the most accessible places in the city.
- By tram: Line 1, stops "Cathédrale-Ville Vieille" or "Place Stanislas" (2 minutes walk from the square).
- By train: Nancy-Ville station is a 10-minute walk via Rue Stanislas, one of the city's main pedestrian streets. TGV Paris-Nancy in 1h30, TER Metz-Nancy in 40 minutes.
- By car: Stanislas underground parking (under the square, direct access) or Charles III (5 minutes walk). From the A31, take the Nancy Centre exit then follow the signs for "Centre-ville" and "Place Stanislas".
- By bike: VélOstan'lib stations are in the immediate vicinity of the square. Cycle paths from different districts of Nancy.
- By bus: Stan network, several lines serve the city center of Nancy. Stops near the square.
Dates and Times
The garden is installed from October to early November, for about a month. It is accessible 24/7, including at night thanks to special lighting that enhances the plant compositions after dark. Night access is particularly recommended to discover the garden from a different perspective.
Prices
Access to the garden is completely free, day and night, for the entire duration of the installation.
Guided tours and activities
A program of activities accompanies the garden throughout its duration:
- Discovery tours: offered at 11 am on certain weekdays, to understand the plant choices and the scenography
- Balcony openings: on Sundays, the square's balconies are open to the public to offer an exceptional aerial view of the garden
- Lunch conferences: mid-day themed meetings around the edition's theme
- Educational workshops: activities for schoolchildren and the young public organized during the week
Accessibility
The garden is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, as Place Stanislas is on one level. Leashed dogs are accepted. Strollers can easily navigate the garden paths.
Practical Advice
It is recommended to visit the garden both day and night to appreciate the two very different atmospheres. Photographers will find the best lighting conditions in the early morning or late afternoon. Weekends are busier: for a more relaxed visit, prefer weekdays.
Contact
Ville de Nancy - Parks and Gardens Department
Official website: www.nancy.fr
Nancy Tourist Office: www.nancy-tourisme.fr
Place Stanislas Transformed
Since 2005, every autumn, Place Stanislas in Nancy, an 18th-century architectural jewel classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, adorns itself with an extraordinary vegetal mantle. The Ephemeral Garden is a unique creation of its kind: a monumental landscape installation, ephemeral by nature, which transforms one of Europe's most beautiful squares into an extraordinary garden for a month.
The Art of Nancy's Gardeners
Designed and created by the gardeners of the City of Nancy, the Ephemeral Garden mobilizes considerable resources: several thousand plants, numerous trees, thousands of hours of work, and impressive logistics. Each edition is the result of a long design process that begins months in advance, with the selection of plants, the creation of structures, and the development of the scenographic route. The installation is part of a sustainable approach: recycled materials and plants are then reused in other green spaces in the city.
Renewed Themes
Each year, the Ephemeral Garden explores a different theme that dialogues with the history, heritage, and identity of Nancy:
- 2025 (22nd edition): “Seeds of Art Deco,” a tribute to Nancy's Art Deco architecture and the dynamism of the Roaring Twenties
- 2026 (23rd edition): “My Root Deep in the Woods,” a tribute to Émile Gallé, an emblematic figure of the École de Nancy, on the occasion of the 180th anniversary of his birth
A Sensory Journey
The garden offers a true sensory journey through its various thematic spaces. Visitors wander amidst geometric floral compositions, wooded massifs, and monumental plant installations. The nocturnal lighting enhances the creations and offers a completely different perception of the garden after nightfall.
Activities and Visits
Throughout its duration, the Ephemeral Garden offers a varied program of activities:
- Discovery guided tours
- Opening of balconies for an aerial view on Sundays
- Thematic lunch-conferences
- Educational workshops for schoolchildren and young audiences
A Flagship Event in Nancy
Having become one of Nancy's flagship back-to-school events, the Ephemeral Garden attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, making Nancy an unmissable autumn destination in the Grand Est region. It testifies to the city's commitment to nature in the city and the dialogue between historical heritage and contemporary creation.
Where does it take place — Jardin Éphémère
Jardin Éphémère in brief
History of Jardin Éphémère
Edition 2025 Oct 2025Other festivals near Nancy
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