Pont à Mousson and its assets

Pont à Mousson’s history

The fourth biggest town in Meurthe-et-Moselle, Pont-à-Mousson is named after the Mousson hill that overlooks it, where its feudal castle once stood, and the bridge (pont in French) that provided access to it.

• The Gélot bridge

A sacred union between two shores linked by the strength of one bridge. Despite the Germans’ tenacity in their blasting in 1944, this symbol – that bears the existence of the city – was rebuilt in 1949. Once, it was a key element for the Counts of Bar who wanted to link Mousson’s hill to the ‘Ville du Pont Saint Antoine’ as known as Pont à Mousson nowadays. Indeed, this construction allowed them to regulate the traffic of certain goods thanks to a city toll.

• Mousson’s hill

History lovers, this site is for you. Dominating the Moselle valley, it is there that the Counts of Bar decided to settle and built their kingdom in order to control the traffic since the old roman way going from Lyon to Trèves. Nowadays, after painful episodes of wars and numerous fires, the city has conserved some wall sections of the castle nicknamed ‘La Grosse Tour’ as well as the Templiers Chapel.

• The Place Duroc

This square is unique in Europe, it is the only one to have a triangular form ornamented with Renaissance arcades, and with cobblestones. The Place Duroc owns its name from the Marshall Duroc, a faithful mussipontain nominated Grand Marshall of the Palais by Napoleon. The fountain located in the center of this square keeps going to represent a strong symbol of the mussipontains’ loyalty towards the American paramedics of the First World War.

Do not miss the city hall built between 1786 and 1791 of style Louis 16. This building is the result of the talented architect Claude Mique.

Nearby the fountain, on the West of the Tourist Office, more precisely at the angle of the square and the rue Victor Hugo there is the Maison des Sept Péchés Capitaux. Half destroyed, then rebuilt we can notice the difference in architecture between the tower and the rest of the building. We launch you a challenge: try to identify the seven sins corresponding to each character engraved on the façade! (Remember: laziness, vanity, greediness, lust, avarice, wrath, and envy).

• The Abbey

Considered as one of the most beautiful monastic monuments of Lorraine, let you be amazed by the remarkable architecture of this abbey built between 1705 and 1735. Live a heaven of peace in the middle of its three gardens. Do not hesitate to admire its different stairs with oval, round and square forms.  The bombings of 1944 have strongly marled the abbey for 20 years nonetheless it has risen from its ashes and resurrected the monastic life throughout its architecture and its history.

• Jacques Marquette highschool

The teaching of this building was the previous origin of the reforms of the religious orders of the Prémontréss, Benedictines, regular Chanoines, and Carmes. Veritable spiritual center, It is there that Jacques Marquette – famous for having discovered the Mississippi River– has made his studies in 1656, then he became a grammar teacher.

• The religious patrimony

Built at the end of the 16th century, the Gothic-style St Martin church was that of the University of Lorraine. Don’t miss the Entombment, a splendid work from the early 15th century that was the source of influence for many other Entombments.

Located on the left bank of the mussipontain city, the Saint Laurent church attracts our attention in particular by its Gothic style. Classified as a historical monument for a hundred years, this jewel of Pont-à-Mousson offers you a flamboyant work: the Altarpiece of the Passion. Commissioned by Philippe de Gueldre from an Antwerp craftsman, this work retraces the different episodes in the life of Christ.

• War memorial

Because we will never stop to forget the war effort, the Place Foch of the Saint Laurent neighborhood and the Place Thiers pay a tribute to the soldiers, civils and the resistant died for the sake of France.

• The museum

Step back in time in the very heart of the city center of Pont-à-Mousson, discover the old objects before the arrival of the new materials that cradle our daily life. This museum offers you a large collection of objects in papier mâché or boiled cardboard only available in France. Revive the history of the city marked by the foundation of the first University of Lorraine with its popular imagery and its room dedicated to the foundries which have made Pont-à-Mousson a worldwide industrial city.

• Bois-le-Prêtre forest

Revive the First World War throughout the Bois le Prêtre when you could see shrapnel and for sure some trenches and bunkers. The Croix des Carmes is a memorial monument located in the very heart of the old fighting places. Nowadays, it remains representative of these 15,000 dead for peace. By the way, two poilus are represented on it for the sake of patriotism. By pursuing your historic way, come discover the forest house of the Père Hilarion. This building was a key element for the provisioning of the drinking water for the allies and the enemies.

Nature

• Ile d’esch

In the very heart of the city center there is the treed Boulevard de Riolles that rejoices the Esch park. Lovers of the city and of nature, come make a tour of the Ile d’Esch in order to benefit from its greenland. Discover the fauna by longing the Moselle River. Come entertain yourself on the isle thanks to its different sports complexes and its playful areas.

• The lake of the Grand Bleu

Formerly a gravel pit, now it has been turned into a water sports activities place, the Grand bleu welcomes you all the year to enjoy of its marine air.  During summertime, relax yourself on the beach on the edge of the lake. For the thrill seekers, this place offers you inflatable structures on water as well as sailing lessons.

• The red fountain

Come enjoy the panoramic view over the mussipontain city from the red fountain. Lovers of myths, this place is for you! The water of this little fountain was recognized by the 15^th century doctors as a curative means for diseases such as tiredness, anemia, and pallor. Thanks to its ferruginous water, the legend settled itself, however be careful to not drink this water which is undrinkable.

• Prémontrés’ gardens

Let yourself be lulled by the sweetness pastoral bucolic of the abbey gardens.  Travel throughout the scents and the different cultures with its garden of English and French style.

• Hiking tours
• Maidières: For children and adults, go discover the surroundings of Pont-à-Mousson thanks to the ‘Boucle des Vergers’. It is a tour of 16 km mixing nature and urban. Start from Maidières and let you guide by the trees fresh air.
• Jezainville: On your shoes! Lovers of hiking will be amazed by the flora that offers you the ‘Vallée de l’Esch’ tour of 11,5 km which starts in Jézainville.  After the effort let’s place to the comfort! The restaurant La Dilligence opens its doors to serve you.
• Lesménils: Do you want to take the high road? Go on a walk on ‘ La traversée vue du Froidmont’ ! Thanks to tour of 12km you will have the impression to the kings and queens of nature by dominating Pont-à-Mousson. Indeed, this tour offers you a 360° view on the Abbey of Prémontrés, the Saint Gobain factory, Lesmenils and Mousson’s hill.

• Panoramic view from Mousson

Besides its medieval history, this little village melted in a nature — which has taken back its rights — offers you the possibility to enjoy a view on the mussipontain city. On a clear day, open your eyes in order to the see Metz’ cathedral and Cattenom.

Cycling excursions

The tourist Office of the Basin of Pont-à-Mousson has a welcome bike!

• Petite Suisse Lorraine

Go on an adventure by following the water of the Esch that crisscrossed the villages of Griscourt, Villers-en-Haye, Rogéville et Martincourt. Lovers of nature let you be cradled by the sweetness of the meandering of the river and by the limestone grass offering a shield of orchids with a Mediterranean feel. A fantasy look will be on the appointment with the smoggy forest valleys allowing the proliferation of mountain plants but also the beds of moss that remind of us of the Brocéliande forest of Merlin. This preserved environment makes you discover the rural patrimony rich of this lively basin throughout its churches, laundries, its crosses, its mills…

• Seille

Discover the ‘Vallée de la Seille’ by surveying the surroundings of the historic hill of Mousson. This tour long of 32km will make you crisscross the quiet villages and the forest of Facq. Visit the towns on the east of the mussipontain city by crossing Atton, Eply, Bouxières-Sous- Froidmont and even more! We are waiting for you at the mayor of Pont-à-Mousson.

• Madine lake

For the braves, we offer you a tour of 70km in order to enjoy the greens of the madine lake. Do not hesitate to fresh yourself in these three water activities sites. By passing by Pagny-sur-Moselle, Arnaville,Jaulny, … until your departure point!

• The blue way

Do you want to go to Metz or Nancy by riding a bike? It is possible thanks to the blue way! A biking way that is along the Meurthe and the Moselle rivers. Adapted for all, this way will allow you to see the different landscapes that offer you the edge of the two rivers. Your tour alternates between small concrete roads and green ways.