The most beautiful churches cathedrals basilicas and chapels Lorraine

Legend tells that St. Helena would have stayed on the hill of Hérapel around 293, during which the Romans took part in the places. Once gone, the place was feared for a long time, because of the pagan spirit that existed there. Next to the chapel, oral stories evoke the existence of a niche carved in the rock. It would have sheltered a colossal St. Helena statue in person. Today (and if you think about the inhabitants!), it would still be buried somewhere on the strange Colline Hill… But history does not stop there. Over the centuries, the oratory attracted many pélèrins, but also at the beginning of the twentieth century, at the dawn of the First World War. The chapel known for many phases, alternating destruction and reconstruction. Only its natural environment (a rock-dominated cave) and its so-called miraculous source were preserved. In ancient times, but also today, this water net would have curative vertues, especially in healing of pathologies reaching the eyes (blindness) and hair (baldness). Caution, however, is not potable water.

This little church alone has many treasures… Let's start with this th-century wooden ensemble before continuing with an impressive collection of thirteen paintings. Signed by the religious painter Ludovic Duperron, they evoke the passion of Christ and the mysteries of the Virgin Mary. Finally, the golden wooden reissue is also worth a look, as is the surprising cross road (and its charcoal drawings) all around the nave.

The crypt of St. Martin's Church houses exhibits of remarkable richness, all ages combined. We begin with Gallo-Roman vestiges (sarcophagi, altar materials) before arriving at the Temps times, as evidenced by these sacerdotal, medieval columns or statues of the th century representing Saint-Juvin and a Christ in polychrome wood. One of the marvels of the th century is painted altarpiece. Then we pause for a moment to admire the Republican Virgin realized in the th century. Finally, we end with more contemporary works, such as those of Roger Lucien Dufour (his Pièta and his Cross of Crosses carried out around 1950) and the stained Glass windows of Joseph Janin, the master glass master of the School of Nancy.

The construction of St Bernard's church of Mabille Street dates back to the th century. It was first a chapel, which was aggrandie in 1729. In 1824, the architect Meusien Dubois and entrepreneur Jean-Baptiste Cellars worked the facade. The church then suffered the damage of time until the architect Michel and the entrepreneur André Manceaux were charged in 1964 to restore and modernize it. She was officially blessed two years after the bishop of Verdun Bishop Boillon. This small heritage church still contains the Adoration of the Shepherds, a beautiful painting on canvas whose realization is estimated at the 1 st half of the th century.

This cultural association offers in the high season guided tours of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas with audio-guide also available in English, French and German. At the end of the visit you will find a variety of books and articles about Saint Nicholas and the Basilica.

In the south-east of Bouzonville, the Église-les-Hargarten church and thirteen old tombstones have been carefully restored. The oldest of them, engraved with a fleur de lys, dates back to 1747. Inside a fresco reproduces "The Creation of the World".

At every time his style: the church of Saint Eucairo alone, a rich witness to past centuries; erected in the xiith century, then retouched to the xive and xve centuries, it is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city Messina, beautiful testimony of flamboyant Gothic style. Currently in a restoration phase, only part of the building is visited. Once your eyes are used to darkness, his charm operates as magic: its stained glass windows are like color touches and its privacy invites visitors to the collection. Among the elements of furniture, its organ, choir and nef date from the xive and xve centuries. Outside, raise your head to observe his novel bell, still in good conservation condition. Dedicated to Eucairo iiie, Bishop of Trio (ecclesiastical metropolis which depended on Metz at the time), the church was primarily responsible for a famous religious festival. Every February 3, there is the last medieval pilgrimage of Metz. In a popular fervor, the faithful come to make bless small breads marked with piclets recalling the martyrdom of Saint Blaise, in order to obtain protection and healing against the throats of throat. The relics of Saint Blaise still lie in the church today. He has been invoked as healer of throats, since he saved a young boy strangled by a fish ridge.

The work of this new church in the southern district of Metz began in 1938. The project was entrusted to the architect Roger-Henri Expert, but the mission was completed only in 1954 after the Second World War.

Its 70 m mast (which some compare with two hands praying praying or a pilgrim's stick planted at the crossroads of human roads) was built in 1963. The building is distinguished by its reinforced concrete frame, which evokes the architectural innovations in Royan or Le Havre. Since 1998, it has been protected under the titles of Historical Monuments. A board, place in the bottom, under the organ, to better appreciate the purity of the lines and the slenderness of volumes. No transept or bas, but a single rectangular nave in pure basilicale tradition. The aisles and a wide ambulatory serve the chapels. One of them is dedicated to the worship of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. At Christmas, don't miss to admire the giant tree tree (offered by the house Nicolas) and the modern crèche to the characters designed manually. The monumental glass (close to 1 060 m ²!) is the work of master Lorrain Nicolas Untersteller, who is responsible for the technique of stained glass windows (glass slabs supported by armed cement). Red and blue dominate the whole. However, the Council of Manufacture (the owner of the church) is constantly coping with the wear of time, which bursts and cracks this powerful vessel of reinforced concrete, a touching fragility.

Built in 1684 at the expense of the inhabitants, Sainte-Catherine Church is located at the foot of the citadel in the heart of the city. Today, it attracts visitors, through its picturesque red sandstone bell tower.

The interior is rich in history. In the th century, the church has three altars: the principal dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the right to Saint Dominique and left, to saint Antoine de Padua. Rebuilt in 1802, it is distinguished by the absence of pillars in its nave. Side furniture, do not miss the two wrought iron towers of the th century, which belonged to the ancient abbey of Sturzelbronn. In 1784, there was a monument to the glory of the Earl of Bombelles, former governor of Bitche square. Today, you can still see his bust (represented by profile) in the left wall of the nave. As for St. Theresa's altar, he is in painted oak (gold and white) and dates back to the th century. Restored in 1982, he represents Christ, the Virgin Mary and the Sacré-Coeur. The church also houses a set of three statues representing Calvary. The organs (some of which were restored in 1990) are decorated with gilt and woodwork. The two musicians are worth a glimpse. Finally, the stained glass windows were dated the middle of the twentieth century and signed by the hand of the master verrier Archepel.

Ideally located opposite the St. Croix Abbey, this presbytery was built during the 1870 s. The building, by its surprising dimensions, is almost reminiscent of a particular hotel! With a classical style order, the facade includes rows of high windows. There are two floors, one of them included in a large triangular pediment surmounted by occuli (round windows). This imposing building, in large areas, was occupied by several Church men. In the past, there was a total: a priest, three vicars, not to mention a beautiful flat apartment, exclusively reserved for the bishop! As a result, the Presbytère presbytery was long nicknamed «the little Vatican»! Today, you can reach it through a wooden entrance portal, adorned with a beautiful framing of carved stones. At its summit, a statue of the Virgin is distinguished in a niche, protective of the place.

At the top of the hill St. Croix, in the heart of the old Metz, St. Ségolène Church is not lacking in charm and style. It's a good dream to dream and stroll in this old neighborhood with music…

It must be said that between the Trinitarian and the Conservatory of Region, the little church is well surrounded! The building also enjoys a unique history and a rich past. Originally built in the first century (as shown by its crypt under the choir), the church is rebuilt in the xiiith century in the purest Gothic style. The same goes for his flamboyant portico, added to the fifteenth century. Inside, don't miss a tour in our Lady's chapel, which houses the oldest windows in Metz! It can be seen: a head, ornaments sculpted in the glass and a scene of Crucifixion. The whole is dated in the xiith century. Finally, the Germans continue the work with the two twin-Gothic towers, visible in front of the façade.