Lorraine
Lorraine's Charm: Fairytale forests, historic battlegrounds, and culinary wonders weave a tale of timeless allure.
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The region of Lorraine (Lorraine) borders Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. Metz, the capital of the department of Moselle, is definitely worth a visit, with the Centre Pompidou-Metz, the Saint-Etienne Cathedral and the Porte des Allemands. Also visit in Nancy, in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, the first French royal square Place Stanislas and the Museum of the Art Nouveau movement Ecole de Nancy.
Mirecourt offers a special museum on French instrument building and Epinal, the Cité de l'Image has a museum on the art of printing. Historically interesting are also the fortified town of Rodemack, the birthplace of Joan of Arc in Domremy-la-Pucelle, the former nunnery from 620 in Remiremont and Saint-Dié-des-Vosges with a cathedral and monastery. This place hosts the only factory ever designed by Le Corbusier. In La Chapelle des Cordeliers in Sarrebourg you can admire the stained-glass window ‘La Paix’ by Marc Chagall. French fortress engineer Vauban built the citadel in Bitche and the castle in Longwy. Near the Maas River, you will see many traces of the struggle against Germany. The Battle of Verdun was one of the reasons for building the Maginot Line which left its several forts, bunkers and shelters like Fort Fermont in Thionville. To relax you can visit the regional parks Lorraine, Vosges du Nord and Ballons des Vosges.
Versatility
In winter you can ski in the Vosges mountains and go cross-country skiing, for example in Bussang La Bresse. In summer there is hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and golf, for instance in Faulquemont and Preisch. Or opt for a day trip on a steam train in Abreschviller or take a boat trip from Sarreguemines to Saarbrücken. Or relax on Lake Gerardmer and one of the spas of Vittel, Bains-les-Bains and Plombières-les-Bains. Indulge yourself with regional specialties like quiche Lorraine and pâté Lorrain with a glass of Côtes de Toul, the sweet treats madeleines, macaroons and baba au rhum, and eau-de-vie mirabelles (yellow plums).