Located in the north-east of France in the historic Lorraine region, the departement of Meurthe-et-Moselle is the home of Moselle wine, Baccarat glass as well as some of the most historically interesting areas of the country. This area was home to parts of the Maginot Line, the defensive ring of forts built ahead of World War II, and many of the forts and structures are still standing today. The natural beauty of the area is another of the great attractions for visitors to Meurthe-et-Moselle, which has always been a popular destination for nature tourists who enjoy hiking, mountain biking and other more extreme sports!
The Maginot Line consisted of nearly 60 defensive structures when it was built in the 1930s, many of which have fallen into disrepair in the 70 years since they were used. However, some of the forts can still be visited and one of the most interesting parts of the line is also one of Meurthe-et-Moselle's most popular tourist attractions. The Fermont Fort was the centre of operations that kept the rest of the Maginot Line supplied, thanks to hundreds of kilometres of tunnels and trains. You can still visit the Fort on guided tours that use those original trains to take you to the different parts of the underground development that is the size of a small town.
Heading to the south of the region, and tourists can visit the town of Baccarat, now famous for the cut glass and crystal products manufactured there. Unsurprisingly, there are dozens of shops selling the products in the old town, while the Crystal Museum shows you how the specialist glass is made, as well as displaying some of the most impressive pieces made in the town. The church in Baccarat is one of the most unusual in France, as all the stained glass windows were created by artists who worked at the factory. To the east of Baccarat is the small medieval town of Haroue. A pleasant small town that is worth visiting for the impressive traditional fortress, with its large moat and ramparts, located in a beautiful and peaceful countryside setting that is also ideal for long hikes or bike rides.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Lorraine Regional Nature Park in the far east of Meurthe-et-Moselle is an ideal destination, with hundreds of kilometres of walking trails, mountain bike routes and even horse riding paths. There are water sports centres throughout the park where you can try your hand at sailing, canoeing or just take a dip in the Moselle River.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Meurthe-et-Moselle? Then below is a selection of gites in Meurthe-et-Moselle and villas in Meurthe-et-Moselle that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
