DISCOVER THE REGION
DISCOVER THE REGION
Neufchâteau:
This town holds the 100 Plus Beaux Détours de France (100 Most Beautiful Detours of France) label and the Petite Cité de Caractère (Small Town of Character) designation. It is also listed as the top heritage site in the Vosges.
The town’s foundations date back to the 11th century. Its history spans the Middle Ages, the Belle Époque, and the French Revolution.
For example, during this period, the convents were transformed. One wing of the Convent of the Augustinian Ladies became a judicial complex with a gendarmerie (police station), prisons, and a courthouse. The latter only closed in 2010. Another wing was converted into a theater in 1831, then became a cinema until 2018.
Mont-lès-Neufchâteau:
Here you’ll find a former Séré de Rivières military fort that has been repurposed as a family-friendly attraction: Le Fort aux Énigmes (The Fort of Riddles).
Along the pathways, Ludo the mascot guides visitors through a series of riddles related to nature, animals, and more.
In addition to the riddles, visitors of all ages can try their hand at many traditional games.
Soulosse-sous-Saint-Élophe:
The village of Soulosse offers the chance to explore the legend of Saint Élophe. In the village, you can follow in the footsteps of the martyr and discover the Sainte-Epéothe Chapel, the spring, the reculée (a narrow valley), the Church of Saint Élophe, and the archaeological museum.
Autigny-la-Tour:
This typical Vosges village is well worth a visit, with its charming stone bridge spanning the Vair river. At the top of the village, visitors can access the limestone grassland on the hillside, which, like a natural amphitheater, unfolds around the village. It overlooks the village and offers views of the Vair as it meanders beautifully.
The limestone grassland is home to remarkable animal and plant species, such as orchids, laburnum (Cytisus laburnum), wall lizards, asp vipers, Italian crickets, and many species of butterflies.
Rollainville:
The village of Rollainville (part of the new municipality of Neufchâteau) has been recognized as the most beautiful village in the Vosges. It has also held the 4 flowers rating of the Villes et Villages Fleuris (Towns and Villages in Bloom) label for over 20 years.
It features one of the largest limestone grasslands in western Vosges. Limestone is omnipresent—carved, sculpted, or emerging from the ground—contributing both to the village’s aesthetic and the ecological uniqueness of its natural surroundings.
Be sure to take the time to admire the Church of Saint Rémy, notable not only for its Romanesque style but also its unique bell tower. Its clock has a special mechanism to operate the bells. The mechanism, located on the first floor of the tower, is a mechanical clock made by Louis Odobey in the late 19th century and is still manually wound each week.
Another interesting feature is the pont-gué (ford-bridge): pedestrians use the bridge, while vehicles and bicycles cross through the shallow water.
Both the church and the bridge are officially listed monuments.
Neufeys Forest with the Sequoia Sculptures:
This 1,500-hectare forest is mainly populated by beech trees and now features a newly planted sequoia. The previous one fell and was turned into sculptures, which can still be admired today.
Nestled on a gently rolling plateau framed by the valleys of the Frézelle and Sermone streams, its highest point is Haut de la Croix at 507 meters.
Grand – Gallo-Roman Site:
At 148 meters long in its central corridor (longer than the arenas of Nîmes), this amphitheater is among the largest of its kind in the Roman Empire. After its initial construction at the end of the 1st century, it was later renovated, as evidenced by the grand masonry in the western corridor.
With a seating capacity of 15,000 to 17,000, it could host numerous events: hunting scenes, animal training, animal combat, wrestling, and gladiator fights.
Since no Roman theater has yet been found in Grand, it is possible that theatrical performances were also held here.
This amphitheater was likely one of the most imposing structures in the center of the ancient town. Its apse-based layout—common in antiquity—suggests various functions: local administrative meetings (court), a temple, or a guild reception hall (schola).
A 232 m² Mosaic:
The 232-square-meter mosaic is located in an apsed room with particularly well-preserved walls. The pink mortar coating still visible on the lower walls once held marble panels that adorned the room. This mosaic is considered one of the largest of its kind known in Europe.
Château de Bourlémont / Frébécourt:
Originally a fortress built in the early 12th century by the Bishops of Toul, the castle was transformed and expanded over the centuries. The first embellishments began in the 13th century, including the construction of imposing round towers.
In the 15th century, the castle passed to the Barons of Anglure and underwent a major architectural revival: construction of a two-story residence overlooking the courtyard, development of the Saint Vincent Chapel, and construction of the south wing.
After 40 years of abandonment, the château was purchased in 1769 by Jean-François Joseph, Marquis d’Alsace, chamberlain to Emperor Joseph II (brother of Queen Marie-Antoinette). He began renovations, which were soon interrupted by the French Revolution. His descendants continued transforming the residence in the 19th century into a pleasure château, giving it its current appearance.
The latest additions date from the 20th century with the design of the gardens and their beautiful decor, inspired by classic French formal gardens. These can be enjoyed during various events held there.