Things to see and do Lorraine

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.

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.

Created by the association "Clément Kieffer" in order to remember the work of the artist and make known all his art, this space is open to everyone. Clément Kieffer, hailed in his time as the champion of rural Lorraine, offers a look of extreme sensitivity to a world today disappeared. The visit allows to discover works by an artist with multiple facets: artist, painter, engraver… but also the tools of the artist, the techniques of engraving and the works to which he participated.

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.

Located at the back of the large covered market in Metz, the rue au Blé, although close and discreet, is rich in history. Indeed, its proximity to the city's main market is already testimony to its commercial function. As its name indicates, it used to be used to shelter flour and wheat, merchants'boxes and stalls. Today, we can always distinguish from old, large and sufficiently large doors to be able to store in the courtyard, food. At No. 4 there is a bourgeois house, which is richly decorated, surmounted by a stained glass window showing a cluster of grapes. It would be the home of a wealthy merchant or boss who has made a fortune in trade. The splendour of his home testifies to his social rise.

A place where human paw has brought about a very special ecosystem. Until the 1970 s, great quarries produced sand and pavés. Abandoned since then, this place has seen a life typical of the sandy soils. It is possible to observe very rare plants such as Immortal sands, long leaves fescue or lunar Botriche. A 1,5 km discovery trail allows you to turn around this natural space not like others. To access it, you need to take the forest route that connects the village of Puttelange-lès-Thionville to the hamlet of Halling. 

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.

The vacation on the farm tells you? This concept has what to convince your marmots, to make school empty! Odile and Luc Muller, organic farmers, welcome children aged 6 to 12, during school holidays, but also on Wednesdays for recreational workshops. The themes are varied, ranging from organic farm to environmental sustainability. Discover the universe of the farm, with its pet animals: dairy cows, rabbits, hens… and of course the donkey, the children's friend! Possibility of camping on site.

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. 

Now a must, the Place des Charrons, one of the trendiest new places in Metz's Outre-Seille district, where you can have lunch with friends or have a drink on the terrace when the sun comes out. It must be said that the square is not lacking in charm and one succumbs even more when one knows its rich historical past. The headquarters of the Charrons corporations, it is home to the 16th century Hôtel de Burtaigne, among others. Its bold blend of Gothic and Renaissance style will seduce the eye of the passer-by, who will love to discover on the facade, a richest animal repertoire (birds, wild animals and a lion holding a crest).

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.