Amance arobretum is located 13 kilometres east of the town of Nancy on land belonging to the commune of Amance. It was created in 1900 by the Forestry school with two objectives: to provide facilities for the study the behaviour of non-native tree species in Lorraine and to give students at the Forestry school of opportunity to study different tree speices. One hundred years after its creation, these two objectives have been fulfilled and the aboretum continues to be a useful tool for research and for the diffusion of knowledge. The beginning of the nineteenth century also withnessed the creation of the School of Nancy or the Allicance Provinciale des Industries d'Art by Emile Gallé. An eminent botanist, Emile Gallé collected trees and plants and maintained both professional and friendly relations with several instructors at the Forestry school. His passion for nature was reflected in his art. Other arists belonging to the School of Nancy followed his lead. They found their inspiration in nature and often in trees, and their work was christened Art Nouveau. More than 50 different woody species served as models, almost all of which can be seen in Amance arboretum.
