Lorraine     

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The northern borders of Lorraine are shared by Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.  The Champagne-Ardenne is to the west and Alsace is to the east and Franche-Comte to the south.

A region of wine cultivation and small vineyards, there are many attractions - Visit Baccarat and its famous Crystal Musuem.  Lorraine Crystal is famous and produced in many areas

Departments and Main Towns

Departments Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Vosges,

Towns Bar le Duc, Epinal, Luneville, Metz, Nancy, Toul and Verdun

Bar le Duc is the capical of the Meuse Department.  It is charming with many houses from the 15th to 17th centuries.

Epinal was one of France's leading Ceramic centres during the 18th century. 

Lunéville  is located where the Meurthe and Vezouze rivers join.

Metz is the capital of the Moselle Département and has more than 20 bidges spanning the River, one of which, the Port des Allemands, is a fortified bridge.

Nancy is found on the left bank of the Meurth River .   Its 18th century town square  , the Place Stanislas with famous "Golden Gates", has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. 

Toul is one of the oldest towns in France and is found on the left bank of the River Moselle.  It is well known for its porcelain.

Verdun spans the Meuse River and it is an ancient fortress.  Verdun suffered during World War I and in 1916 saw over a million casualties as a result of the Battle of Verdun.  Six hundred thousand men were killed. There are over 70 War Cemetries in the area. Again in World War II the town was bombed by the Germans following its capture by the American forces. 

Wines

" Côtes de Toul "  " Vins de Moselle " " Vins de Pays de la Meuse ".

Cheese

Brie de Meaux, Carré de Lorraine Munster Géromé, Tome de Gorze 

Specialities

Bergamotes de Nancy - a sweet "bon-bon"  dating back to 19th century.

Quiche Lorraine - The word Quiche, it is said, is derived from the German word Kuchen, which means cake. Vincent de la Chapelle, Chef to Stanislas, King of Lorraine invented this dish

Tarte Lorraine aux Mirabelles - made with berries that grow in profusion in the region. .

Madeleines de Commercy - cakes

Truite en Matelote au Côte de Toul - Trout cooked with Shallots and Creme Fraiche

Soupe de Lorraine - it was said that was invented following a small boy dropping bacon into a cooking vegetable soup. The soup also includes cabbage and harricot beans.

Pottery

This was for a long time a major industry with Potteries such as Niderviller.   Operational for many years the Count de Custine, took over control in 1780 and further encouraged its progress.  The porcelain and Faience was beautifully decorated with bouquest and landscapes.  Blue cornflower decoration was popular.   Count fr Custine's personal monogram of two C's, one reversed became the pottery mark sometimes with a five-pointed crown.

In Luneville the pottery was also very famous and in 1758 by letters patent was a Manufacture Royale.  Stanislas Leczinski, King of Poland, who took refuge in France.  When he died in 1766 the pottery was known as the Manufacture du roi de Pologne

In 1748, in the village of Audun-le-Tiche, François Boch, begins manufacturing ceramic tableware.  The plates, cups etc became popular for their simplicity and durability and eventually the company Villeroy Boch was formed