After the success of 50 photos of Spring in Alsace, I’m striking back with a new series dedicated to my native region. Lorraine is a historic and cultural province of France that stretches west of Alsace. Provence has lavender, Normandy has apple trees… and Lorraine has mirabelle trees. I admired them in full bloom last year and I was so amazed at the sight. Follow me along the Moselle River for an armchair trip to Epinal, Nancy, Metz, and more… as we discover these 50 photos of Spring in Lorraine to cheer you up!
If this is the case, I invite you to leave a little comment at the bottom of the article… as always I’m happy to read from you! Until then take care and stay safe at home!
My most beautiful photos of Spring in Lorraine
This little photographic journey in Lorraine brings us from south to north of the region, following the Moselle River. After Epinal, we’ll go to Vaucouleurs in the Meuse département, then Toul and its beautiful countryside, Nancy, Pont-à-Mousson and Metz. All these photos of Spring in Lorraine have been taken during my last trip in April 2019.
>> Discover the region of Lorraine on the blog!
Epinal in the spring
When I travelled from Savoie, French Alps to Lorraine, I passed by the town of Epinal. The head city of the Vosges département was worth a stop.
There I climbed on the castle hill which commands fine views on the town’s roofs, the St. Maurice basilica church and the Moselle river.
Curious as I am, I found this interesting little place. It’s a promenade by the old ramparts of Epinal.
Pansies at Epinal… In French, the flowers’ name is “pensée” translated by “thought”. Lovely isn’t it?
>> Website of the Epinal Tourist Board
Vaucouleurs in the spring
This is the country of Joan of Arc! It’s in Vaucouleurs that the maiden’s mission began. A mission to have Charles VII crowned King of France at Reims and boot the English out of France.
The little town is ideally situated, on the hillsides of the Meuse River. There’s a great view of the historic town from the ruins of the castle.
A few kilometres north of Vaucouleurs rises Gombervaux Castle. This fortified house from the 14th century shows a fine crenelated keep.
>> Website of Vaucouleurs Tourist Board
Toul in the spring
Have you heard of Toul? If not, let’s fix it. ?
Surrounded by ramparts, Toul was a military stronghold and the seat of one of the Three Bishoprics alongside Metz and Verdun. This explained why Toul became French in 1552, long before Nancy (1766).
From its brillant past the episcopal town has kept a couple of beautiful churches: St. Etienne cathedral and St. Gengoult church, masterpieces of Gothic art in Lorraine.
Each of these sanctuaries has its own cloister, a gem of religious art.
The City-Hall garden, by the north side of the cathedral, is a haven of peace.
On the road from Paris to Nancy, Toul is worth a detour…The little historical city is a member of the Most Beautiful Detours of France.
And if you lift up the head, you might see a white stork nest. The bird was so happy to stay in Toul, Lorraine that it didn’t think about continuing its trip to Alsace…
>> Website of Toul Tourist Board
The Toulois region in the spring
The Toul countryside is known as the Toulois. This rural area is famous for its vineyards (in French: Côtes de Toul) and mirabelle plumb orchards. Unsurprisingly spring time in the Toulois is a real enchantment for lovers of the countryside.
It’s easy to get lost in the many country roads.
It comprises of small villages dominated by their church bell towers, fields, meadows, and forests. The best of rural Lorraine just for you!
This is where I re-discovered the magnificent mirabelle orchards in full bloom.
The flowering of the fruit trees is a highlight of Spring in Lorraine.
And under a clear blue sky, the amateur photographer that I am couldn’t stop capturing everything I saw…
>> Website of Toul Tourist Board
Nancy in the Spring
I’ve been exploring Nancy in summer, in autumn and in winter.
However last time I saw spring in Nancy, I was maybe a child or a teen-ager. In all cases without a camera to immortalise the moment!
Last year, thanks to Nancy Tourisme, I was able to re-discover the capital of the Dukes of Lorraine in springtime. It was truly magical!
The amazing royal square of place Stanislas is a not-to-miss site in town.
The two other squares listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco are place de la Carrière…
And place d’Alliance.
In search of spring in Nancy’s public parks and gardens
But one has to get inside the parks and gardens to have a closer look at spring! Look here in the Pépinière Park.
And here in Sainte-Marie park.
My tip: enter the garden of the School of Nancy Museum. The place is free access. And make sure to visit the Art Nouveau museum (fee apply).
The gates of Nancy in spring: porte de la Citadelle…
… and porte de la Craffe.
Spring marks the time of the traditional fun fair of Nancy on Cours Léopold.
And from the top of the Ferris wheel you’ll get an unmatched view of the city’s roof. One of the best panoramic views you can get of Nancy.
>> Website of Nancy Tourist Board
Pont-à-Mousson in the Spring
On my way to Metz, I marked a halt in the little town of Pont-à-Mousson to say hello to my friends at Lorraine Tourisme.
Although Pont-à-Mousson is an industrious town, this should not prevent you to visit the few landmarks in the town.
The former abbey of the Prémontrés on the banks of the Moselle river.
The St. Martin church, built in the 14th and 15th centuries. Its façades was inspired by that of Toul Cathedral and in turn influenced the St. Leon church in Nancy.
The place Duroc, bordered with arcades houses from the 16th century, including the Renaissance House nicknamed Maison des Sept Péchés Capitaux (Seven Deadly Sins House). Charming isn’t it? ?
>> Website of the Pont-à-Mousson Tourist Board
Metz in the Spring
Ahh Metz ! How could I describe it to you?
Its cathedral is one of France’s most beautiful Gothic churches, famous for the height of its nave and the lavishness of its stained-glass windows.
Metz is intrinsically linked with the Moselle river which, at the confluence the Seille river, divides itself into many branches.
The best way to discover Metz along the river is to take a cruise on a solar boat.
This is where you can appreciate nature awakening in spring.
Metz, a Green City!
Metz is also about trees, parks and gardens. They are many green areas found across the city: on the river banks of the Moselle or the Seille, around the Palais du Gouverneur, along avenue Foch…
A big thank you to Inspire Metz for making this exploration of Metz in spring possible!
>> Website of the Metz Tourist Board
Find out more about Spring in Lorraine
Read my articles on Lorraine:
- discover the historic and cultural region of Lorraine (on the blog)
- all there is to know about spring in France (on the blog)
- the city of Nancy (on the blog)
- the city of Metz (on the blog)
- Read about spring in Lorraine in French on Mon Grand-Est
And also:
- the official website of Lorraine Tourisme
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Inspired by photos of spring in Lorraine? Pin it for later:
Hi, love your posts – we adore France and in particular the countryside , villages and towns and your posts with such beautiful photos really brings alive the beauty of France – thank you and please keep them up !
Hi Pamela! Thank you for your kind message, glad these pics inspired you!
Thanks so much, Pierre, for reminding us that our planned and postponed holiday to Alsace-Lorraine and to the Loire valley will, indeed, happen one day, and there are even more beautiful sights to see than we had realized!
You’re welcome Lesley! Let’s keep dreaming about it! 🙂
Bonjour Pierre, my friends and I sadly had to cancel our trip to Europe planned for May-July 2020. We will try again in 2021. Nancy was on our agenda and we had booked accommodation in Toul – in fact the house owner in Toul refunded our money even though the AirBnB conditions required us to forfeit what we had already paid, which we thought was wonderful of him.
“Dream today and travel tomorrow” – I love it!
Thank you Bill! I’m so glad you were able to get a refund for your trip… we’ll keep dreaming (me included!) about visiting Lorraine! Have a nice day and take care ?
Thank you once again. I am booked to be in france late july early August and i pray it is open for tourists again
You’re welcome Stephen. I also planned a trip to the French Alps in August… I hope we’ll be able to maintain it! 🙂
Rêvez maintenant et voyagez demain!!
Tout à fait ! 🙂