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Motorhoming in Meurthe et Moselle
The architectural, cultural and religious heritage of Meurthe et Moselle, this department at the heart of the region of Lorraine, has been subject to many influences. The department of Moselle to the east borders Germany and with Meuse to the west being well-rooted in France, Meurthe et Moselle finds itself at the meeting point of the two identities and cultures and has known a tormented past. Hiring a motorhome in England or hiring a motorhome in France is the ideal opportunity to step into the history of the department and to sample the delights on offer.
In the midst of this well preserved countryside, centrally placed in this oddly shaped department is the city of Nancy, ‘the city of the golden gates’. Ancient home of the Dukes of Lorraine, it owes its magnificent Stanislas Square to King Stanislas of Poland whose influence reached as far as France at its peak in the 18th century; an ideal starting point for exploring the town which stretches out from the magnificent gates of the Palace of the Dukes which are adorned in gold. In the quarter of the Charity there is a mix of Renaissance monuments and facades in the style of Art Nouveau. This cultural revolution at the dawn of the 20th century introduced a new style, original and dynamic, which projected the city to the position of European capital of Art Nouveau and saw the foundation of the School of Nancy which was dedicated to this new artistic movement.
Not very far from Nancy is the Château of Fléville, original and unique due to its ornate balcony which runs the length of the building. Harmonious and majestic, built in the Renaissance style, it has a rare tower which was built in 1320 and saved during the Thirty Year War by the intervention of Louis Xlll. The Château of Lunéville is the ‘little Versailles of Lorraine’ and was the principal residence of King Stanislas in 1737. Its large p ark ‘à la Française’ is magnificent with its ponds and waterfalls, and the Château houses the town’s museum which tells the history of Lunéville, and has collections of beautiful beaded embroidery, pottery and Art Nouveau style glass objects.
Baccarat is the internationally renowned ‘city of crystal’. You can visit the crystal museum which displays over 1000 pieces of crystal in the old château belonging to the founder of the glass works of Sainte Anne. It is a journey into the history and fabrication of this art which has been practiced in Baccarat since 1764.
Motorhome travel in France is an ideal opportunity to sample the delights of other cultures. Amongst the local specialities in Meurthe et Moselle is the little cake called a Visitandine which is very simple and has its origins in the religious orders of Nancy and the ‘pâté Lorrain’ which can probably be compared to a pork pie. Originating from Baccarat, it is reputed to be the oldest recipe for a specialty of Lorraine and can be found in the recipe book, Le Viandier dating from 1392.
Carry on travelling and tasting – go motorhoming in Moselle, motorhoming in Meuse or motorhoming in Vosges. Use the Aires de Service in Meurthe et Moselle for your overnight stops.
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