|
|
Lorraine FranceTourism, Tourist Attractions and Information |
| Home Nature History Cheese Heritage Wartime Recreation Spa Towns Winter Sports Arts And Crafts Tourist Attractions Départments Meurthe-et-Moselle Moselle Meuse |
Where Is Lorraine? The Region of Lorraine is located in France (France is divided into regions) and is found in the northeast of France. It borders Alsace (another region) to its east, and Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg to its north. It comprises of four départments called Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Meuse (55), Moselle (57) and Vosges (88). The region’s capital is Metz. An Introduction To Lorraine Lorraine is one of France's better kept secrets which is sadly overlooked by many visitors due to it not being located in the south. It is though an area of immense beauty with a very large range of tourist attractions. Lorraine has a particularly diverse historical, architectural and cultural heritage, with many outstanding buildings, prestigious honours and many treasures to discover. For the lover of nature, there are endless forests, lakes, rivers and mountains to explore. Some areas are perfect for a sports-based holiday, other areas providing a more leisurely setting. Lorraine is also as rich in game as it is in architecture and forests. There is abundant wildlife including deer, wild boar and water fowl. You may also spot a mountain goat, or chamois in the Vosges mountains. For the very fortunate, you may catch a glimpse of a lynx, a wild cat, a capercaillie or an eagleowl. For the twitcher, the sky is often filled with flocks of rare migratory birds that are drawn to the rich environments of Lorraine. Sadly, because Lorraine is so close to neighbouring countries, it has often been in the thick of war, and this has left the region full of museums and monuments where you can learn the full history of the horrific wartime events that happened here. Lorraine is a very industrious area and there is a plethora of treasures to discover for those interested in arts and crafts. Did you know that Lorraine is famous for producing superb crystal and earthenware? As most people know, France is famous for it's cheeses with over 500 different types readily available. Each region of France has its own brands and Lorraine has a rather famous one - Munster AOC. Perhaps you enjoy the health benefits of spa's? Well, Loraine is well known for it's spa towns and has reputably some of the best spa's in France set in luxorious natural surroundings. Maybe sports and recreation is your idea of a great holiday? Well yet again Lorraine is the perfect destination because of the large selection of activities available. The Vosges Mountain range offers a large selection of winter sports in a breathtaking setting of mountains, huge forests, hilltops and endless vistas. Do you enjoy fêtes, events and cultural exchanges? Well Lorraine is the place to be! There are many dates for your diary...the world famous Mirabelle Festival (August in Metz), the Daffodil Festival (Gérardmer), the Feast of St. Nicholas and the many Christmas markets (Metz, Plombières-les-Bains etc.). Other events include the Vosges lumberjack festival and the bonfire nights marking the Feast of St. John in June in the Upper Vosges, at the summer solstice. At “Sundays in Meuse in May”, hundreds of volunteers revive over one hundred 19th-century trades and crafts at an event unlike any other in Europe. In Fontenoy-la-Joûte, the “Village of Books”, books have pride of place in second-hand bookstalls, bookshops and special events. There is more enjoyment to be at Fantastic’Arts, the horror film festival in Gérardmer (January), during the Venitian Carnival in Remiremont (February), at the Commercy Jazz Festival (April), at the Ramparts Festival at Montmédy’s citadel (May), at the Streets and Companies Festival in Epinal, at the Renaissance Festival in Bar-le-Duc ( July), in Metz with the Summer Book festival or during the Festival of Images in Epinal. There are of course many more events than those listed above! Please browse this site and read more about the wonderful area of Lorraine. |
