Cities and Villages in Lorraine

With its sweeping views of breathtaking landscapes, its lush gardens, its charming chalets surrounded by well-tended glades, and its majestic forests stretching to the clear horizon, the Vittel Thermal Park provides walkers with a remarkably relaxing setting for wandering.

Discover golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, the Hippodrome, the “Gardens of the Earth,” an equestrian center, and unparalleled green spaces: Vittel is an exceptional destination for anyone looking for sport, adventure, recreation, or simple relaxation in the outdoors.

Since the Carolingian period, Épinal has been an important political and economic center. Following the defeat of 1871, Épinal became a powerful haven and stronghold for the Alsatian textile industry. It is also renowned for its citizens’ expertise with imaging techniques and print-making.

Épinal is home to an impressive museum which retraces the history of the popular image.

Domrémy is the birthplace of Joan of Arc. Her home has been classified as a historic monument since 1840.

Nancy is a dynamic city built on the legacies of its past and at the same time decidedly turned toward the future. In the historic center of the city, an area of 132 hectares is under official protection.

The Old City, the first site of habitation in the city, is a marvelous place to wander. As you stroll, wonder about the dramas played out along the fortifications surrounding the medieval city or at the 14th century gates of Craffe.

Three 18th century squares (Place Stanislas, de la Carrière, and d’Alliance) have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983.

Emblematic of the First World War, Verdun is brimming with commemorative sites and many architectural and cultural treasures.

In and around Verdun, the earth is still marked from the impact of shells. Remembered for its heroic stand in the Battle of 1916, Verdun inspired the famous slogan of determination "On ne passe pas," meaning “They shall not pass.”

Commemorative sites bear witness to the many lives that were lost at Verdun.
Affixed along the 137 meters of the façade of the Ossuary of Douaumont are the arms of the cities that helped to build the monument. Its 46-meter high tower overlooks the battlefield.

The Memorial of Verdun is built on the site of the former Fleury-devant-Douaumont train station. Fleury-devant-Douaumont was one of nine villages destroyed on the battlefield.

Mogeville, a village on the front lines from 1914 to 1916, was completely destroyed during the battle of Verdun. The French History Association has recreated trenches and a soldier’s camp.

Located in the heart of Lorraine Champenoise, Bar-le-Duc features a bustling, modern center in the lower part of town and an authentic historic center in the ville haute, or upper town. The ville haute of Bar-le-Duc is one of France’s most remarkable Renaissance-era urban ensembles.

Designated as a “City of Art and History,” Bar-le-Duc’s architecture evokes the design and lifestyle of 16th century Alsace. The mansions of Place Saint Pierre and Ducs de Bar Street feature Renaissance details such as sculpted pediments, fluted pilasters, and overhanging gargoyles.

The fantastic collection of architectural curiosities in Bar-le-Duc bears witness to the city’s prestigious and much-storied past.

Metz is a flamboyant and enjoyable destination. The historic and religious heritage of this green city is impressive; indeed, it is nicknamed “the stained-glass city.”

The Saint-Etienne Cathedral and the paintings of Chagall bear witness to Metz’s glorious past. Take a detour through the museums of the Golden Court, and discover parks, gardens, rivers, ponds, and beautiful Place St. Louis. The medieval city is full of charming surprises, including the Arsenal of Ricardo Bofill and its ramparts.

Metz’s brand-new Pompidou Center offers high quality contemporary art exhibitions. The building itself is worth a visit!