Hotels in Lorraine

Located in the northeastern region of France, the province of Lorraine is one of the most interesting places in France. As one of the oldest and historic regions in Europe, Lorraine is littered with museums and castles that are a testament to its rich culture and past. Since it borders three other countries, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, it remains to be culturally diverse until now and this makes the city a unique travel destination that is a must for everyone who wishes to travel to France and Europe.

How to Get There

Lorraine has no major airports nearby. The closest one is found in Strasbourg that is around 160 kilometres away. However, France has an extensive network of trains that connect different parts of the country that makes it accessible to get to and from the capital.

If you choose to head to the capital city of Metz, trains depart from Paris 10 times a day and the trip should take about three hours only. The same goes for Nancy, the former capital of Lorraine. The line just differs since the one you should take heads to Strasbourg with 17 trains departing the capital every day.

Getting Around

If you want to get around Lorraine, high-speed trains are available that connect different cities in the province. It would only take longer if you are heading to harder to reach parts located in the mountainous parts of Lorraine. At this point, a car rental would be the best option.

Top Things to Do

Lorraine is a melting pot of cultures because the region has been passed around from one country to another throughout the centuries. In different parts of the region, we can see the different influences that have shaped the region. For example, in the capital city of Metz, you can already see the difference just by walking through different roads. You will be able to encounter medieval structures in Porte des Allemands to Alsatian homes in Avenue Foch.

In Strasbourg, you will find the Cathèdrale Notre-Dame, which was completed in 1439. The Gothic church is lined with flying buttresses and gargoyles with a spire of about 142 metres. It is known for its intricate stained-glass windows and astronomical clock. The best time to visit this church would be in the evening when the tourists have thinned out. Meanwhile, the Cathédrale Saint-Etienne is another Gothic cathedral that has been called The Lantern of God because it has 6,500 square meters of stained-glass windows that beautifully light the area.

A visit to Verdun, on the other hand, will let you encounter a lot of relics and monuments built in honor of the lost lives during the first world war. Lorraine is littered with this because of its titular role in the war, but Verdun was a battleground that has been fought in for 10 long months.

When you visit Fort de Vaux, you will see the uneven terrain that was caused by the bombings. Most of the area is off-limits too because of unexploded shells that haven’t been uncovered. Citadelle Souterraine De Verdun, a subterranean citadel, has audio-visual documents about the Battle of Verdun for those who want to learn more. The medieval walled town also has remnants like Porte Châtel and Porte Chaussée that shows how the town defended itself from various invaders during the 14th century.

Lorraine also has an artistic period that has given birth to a number of artists. In museums like Musée de l’École de Nancy, you will be greeted by an expansive collection of art-nouveau art and interiors. There is also the Centre Pompidou-Metz which sits at the centre of the local art scene in the city. It hosts the largest modern art collection in all of Europe and it stages several ambitious art exhibitions every year. You will find the works of Fernand Léger and Oskar Schlemmer in this space.

Bar-le-Duc, also known as the City of Art and History, is famous for its Renaissance festival held every year. This town hosts several museums like Musée Barrais that has a stunning collection of Renaissance work. There are also modern monuments like the Eglise Saint-Jean in Ville Basse.

What to Eat

Dining in Lorraine is also quite an experience because of the unique fusion of Germanic and French. They also have a way of making it a sensorial experience like in L'Imaginarium. This restaurant is a foodie destination in the city of Metz. They serve amazing season-driven food that focuses on clean and colorful presentation. At the same time, you dine in the midst of one-of-a-kind works of art.

La Table de Pol is a smaller restaurant that offers a more mellow mood. They serve French dishes with ingredients sourced directly from the market. L’Esprit Bistrot in Verdun is a quaint family-run restaurant. They have the classic ambiance with red and white checkered tablecloths that gives a lighter and fun air. They have day-to-day specials that serve as a surprise for most customers, but they also have classics like beef confit and slow-cooked lamb shanks.

Where to Stay

Where to stay in Verdun would primarily depend on what you are after. Cities like Metz and Nancy will be bigger with more options to choose from such as hotels and bed and breakfasts. In the town of Colmar, you can stay in the area of Petite Venise that is along a canal. While a far cry from Venice, the place hosts quaint homes with surroundings that go in full bloom during the spring. Villas are also available in other areas and if you want to be near the mountains then staying in Massif des Vosges would be a great option.

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