Crossword Genius

Subtle detail in French city today at the margins (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nicety

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'subtle detail' is the definition.
'nicety' can be an answer for 'detail' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'subtle' bit.

'french city today at the margins' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'city' could be 'nice' (French city) and 'nice' is found within the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'y' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nicety that I've seen before include "Judged to a . . . . . . - with precision" , "Fine point or subtlety" , "Subtle point of distinction" , "Matter of delicate adjustment" , "Degree of precision" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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