Monuments to visit Lorraine

Be careful not to miss the entrance to the castle located in the middle of the main street of this small village. This castle is a gîte de France, with rooms and a table d'hôtes. But once the grid is passed, we find ourselves almost in another century. Indeed, the rooms of this cottage are decorated in the old style and each has a bathroom to make all the Cinderella pale. The park has a swimming pool and lawns where relaxing is a well-deserved reward. In the evening, we meet for an aperitif in the small common room, before eating and enjoying a variety of dishes prepared in the purest Lorraine tradition.

On the West side, leaning towards Lorraine, you can find the Porte de France. A military style clearly assumed, it bears witness to the Vauban period as well as the Lobau Barracks, for example. At the victory of Louis XIV, it boasts bas-reliefs and a pediment where the king's crest distinguishes itself: crown and trophies taken to the enemy are represented. The presence of pulleys at the level of the lintel shows that there was a drawbridge at the time.

Located on the east side, the Door of Germany is majestically. Dedicated to Louis XIV, it is surmounted by a pediment adorned with two angels bearing the shield of King Sun, remarkable by the presence of a lily. The victories of Louis XIV are also mentioned on both sides of the door by means of sculpted trophies. Translated from German, it reads: «In memory of Goethe's passage to Phalsbourg on 23 June 1770», on a marble plate.

The impressive façade was founded at the time Vauban, 175 metres long, when the walls of the citadel had to be strengthened. The Contiguous barracks, built in pink sandstone, saw many soldiers scroll. Sometimes French, sometimes German, she protected, for more than two centuries, one and passage. The architecture is surprising by its roof dotted with windows and chimneys.

Vidus originates with Vacon empties and then in the Meuse. This small river offers a pleasant stroll along its banks, which allows you to discover the Cugnot square, the old washhouse and various bridges of the village. Among them, the Roman bridge, made of stones and recently renovated, offers a pretty stop on the waterfront. Probably the most authentic bridge of the village, it was built on the axis Strasbourg Lutèce and was rebuilt in the 18th century. Le Vidus also gave its name to the inhabitants of the village, which are called Vidusiens.

Ancient vestiges of the castle of Thibaut 1st, count of Bar, the Postern are accessible from rue Marius. This stone door, open on the ramparts, made it possible to enter the village. From its small, only men walk could pass. The castle was dismantled in the 17c by king Louis XIV. The cobbled street that leads to traverse the suburb of Gaullly.

The library of Nogent has several interests: it is first a place of memory of the character whose name it bears: Bernard Dimey, poet, lyricist, author of songs that became legendary such as "Syracuse". In mid-May, a festival of poems and songs is organized in his honour, as we regret, a small part of passionate. The library, with its bourgeois and contemporary façade at a time, offers you a room dedicated to music and cinema, a reading room children and adults, a cyber-base and finally, the so-called «Cellar in Bernard». In a vaulted room you can see exhibitions, films, concerts, intimate shows… A cultural place that imposes a policy of sharing!

If you go through this charming village, go to the Lavoir washing house. It is very original. Built in 1878 by Mr. Tiriot, then mayor and carpenter, this washer has a remarkably impressive configuration since it is half-spherical. Its charpente-shaped frame of vessel, concentrated around a unique punch. Its structure has a seven-sided roof. This wash was created to allow the ladies to wash their linen (before it had to take 3 kms to go to the fountain of the virgin in the forest) and irrigate the animals. In summer, it is flowered, like the whole village, and becomes a bucolic and refreshing place.

If you're going through the Auboise Champagne, you couldn't go next to these dry stone huts that span the landscape. They are called cadoles, and they form part of the secular cultural heritage of the region. The hiking we offer is possible on foot or in mountain bike, and you will discover a number (exactly). Will you be careful enough to meet them? The departure from Courteron, we recommend a quick visit of the church before leaving.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 9,5 km.

Difficulty: average.

Markup: yellow, white-red, and yellow.

You read well, we call it Venice Green! That puts water in the mouth, isn't it? The municipality of Soulaines-Dhuys has a rich natural and architectural heritage, which we propose to discover via this short walk… without forgetting to remind you that Soulaines also hosts the site of the Andra, responsible for the management of radioactive waste in France. Your starting point: gardens, where bricks are shaped for the construction of rustic tiles and stone tiles. Then go to the Résurgence resurgence (which still feeds the mill), and don't miss the wash wash. A few hundred metres further, admire the Henri-IV bridge: It is the oldest of the city! Saint John Chapel, St. Lawrence Church and the manor house are also part of the program: all this in just one and a half kilometres!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 1,5 km.

Difficulty: very easy.

Transformed into a town hall in 1996, this curious building is no more than Edouard Jaunez's old castle. A rich industrial industriel in Sarreguemines, he acquired the castle in 1894 for the modest sum of 41 000 francs. Its bichrome brick architecture (red and white) is characteristic of the late th century. Thus, our bourgeois industrial property has its own image, modern and tasteful. In 1904, Sieur Jaunez was even raised by Emperor Guillaume II in person! A few years later, around 1912, the administration of the Railways of Alsace-Lorraine would like, as a result of the expansion of railways, the destruction of the building. Fortunately, the City Council opposes it by buying the building. Today, it is the town hall of Remelfing.

Here is an element of the Maginot line since 2002 by a passionate association. And, in addition to restoring this shelter from the famous French defence line, these volunteers offer guided tours by appointment throughout the year. An immersion that is worth the detour because it allows to understand the daily life of the 1972 men who lived in this structure abandoned by the army in. 

St. Laurent Street conceals some treasures that we take pleasure in admiring for hours. Facing the Saint-Laurent church, what is this imposing brick and stone building located at number 11? Built at the beginning of the 17th century, this building is a beautiful example of a private mansion, renovated in 2005. In the past it was the former house of the Aldermen, but today it is the presbytery of the parish of Saint-Laurent. We like its Renaissance style, with its geminated bays on the second floor and its brick facing, characteristic of the Louis XIII style. A well with a conch-shaped coping is present in the interior courtyard. As for the main gate, it reminds us that this house was once the private property of the Charvet family, an old Mussipont family of academics and magistrates of the 18th century. As for the decoration, it is decorated with a cherub's head and diamond points in black marble. Not to mention the Latin inscription on the lintel: Virtus agitata cresci, or "courage grows through hardship", a motto dear to the Charvet family.Not to be confused with the magnificent Renaissance facade at No. 19 on the same street. Today a private mansion, this building also housed the Maison des Échevins before becoming a religious school in the 18th century. A place not to be missed in Pont-à-Mousson, which is undeniably worth a visit during your stay in Lorraine.