Pont-à-Mousson
France > Lorraine > Pont–a–Mousson
Often overlooked, the quiet little town of PONT-À-MOUSSON lies south of Metz, exactly halfway between the city and Lorraine's former capital, Nancy – and a regular stop for all but the fastest trains between the two. There has been a bridge across the Moselle here since the Middle Ages but the present one was built after heavy bombardment during both world wars. the town survived relatively unscathed, despite the importance of the St-Gobain iron foundry – the name Pont-à-Mousson is familiar throughout France as just about every manhole cover in the country is made there. For a bird's-eye introduction to the town and fine views of its hilly surroundings it's worth making your way to the Butte de Mousson, where castle ruins top a steep knoll a few kilometres southeast of the town centre, reached via the D910 road.Pont-à-Mousson is the headquarters of the Parc naturel régional de Lorraine, some of the region's best Hiking territory, but the main reason to visit is to see the imposing 18th-century Abbaye des Prémontrés (daily 10am–5.30pm; €5), a former Premonstratensian abbey on the river bank now used for concerts and temporary art exhibitions. Primarily of architectural interest, its top attractions are three staircases in the convent buildings, one square, one spiral and one oval-shaped. Across the river, the town is centred on the elegant place Duroc, a rough triangle of arcaded houses, mostly dating from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. Particularly outstanding is the Maison des Sept Péchés Capitaux, also known as the "Château d'Amour", adorned with caryatid-like figures representing the seven deadly sins. In the rue St-Laurent, an elegant street boasting a number of fine Renaissance facades, the Eglise St-Laurent houses a 16th-century polychrome Flemish altarpiece and a lifelike statue of Christ by Ligier Richier, famous for his St-Mihiel Entombment. Work by the town's printers and engravers, dating from times when the town hosted the Jesuit University of Lorraine, and some unique lacquered papier-mâché objects are the mainstay at the Musée régional (May–Sept Mon & Wed–Sat 2–6pm, Sun 10am–1pm & 2–6pm; April–Oct Wed–Mon 2–5pm; €4.60), 13 rue Magot de Rogeville, just off the main square. The tourist office is at 52 place Duroc (July & Aug Mon–Fri 9am–noon & 2–6pm, Sat 9am–noon & 2–4pm; Sept–June Mon–Fri 9am–noon & 2–5pm, Sat 9am–noon; tel 03.83.81.06.90). For accommodation, you're better off in Metz or Nancy but you can always try the Hôtel Bagatelle at 74 rue Gambetta (tel 03.83.81.03.64, fax 03.83.81.12.63; €40–55) which offers views of the abbey. Decent meals (lunch menu at €13) can be had at the Fourneau d'Alain, on the upper floor of 64 place Duroc. Alternate spellings:: France, Pont-a-Mousson, Pont–a–Mousson, Pont-a-Mousson
| 