Lorraine today
Lorraine is located in Eastern France.
Lorraine is located in eastern France.
This former administrative region is now part of the Alsace-Lorraine-Champagne-Ardenne (ALCA) region, which was renamed Grand Est during the territorial reform that came into effect on January 1, 2016.
Metz is the capital and préfecture.
Lorraine comprises four departments:
Meurthe-et-Moselle (54 – Nancy), Meuse (55 – Bar-le-Duc), Moselle (57 – Metz), and Vosges (88 – Épinal).
Lorraine shares borders with three neighbouring countries: Belgium to the north, Luxembourg to the northwest, and Germany to the east.
Geography and Climate
Lorraine boasts a great diversity of landscapes, shaped by the imposing Vosges Mountains and the vast Lorraine Plateau.
Located to the east, the Vosges Mountains form a natural border with Alsace and contribute to Lorraine’s rich forests, making it one of the most wooded regions in mainland France, with forests covering 36% of its territory. The Vosges department is the third most wooded department in France, after the Landes and Var.
The Lorraine Plateau is composed of rolling hills that dominate much of the regional landscape. The Moselle River meanders through the region, joined by its tributaries, such as the Madon, the Meurthe, the Seille, the Saar, and the Meuse. The Saône River and its tributaries, the Bold, the Ourche, and the Coney, are the region’s second major river.
These waterways not only contribute to the beauty of the regional landscape but also feed several natural lakes, including Lake Gérardmer, Lake Longemer, Lake Retournemer, and Lake des Corbeaux. Finally, Lorraine enjoys an oceanic climate with significant continental influences, resulting in varied weather conditions throughout the year.
A vast coalfield
The vast Lorraine coal basin, formed over millions of years between 400 and 245 million years ago, covers approximately 49,000 hectares and extends across the entire Moselle Valley. This geological formation played a major role in the historical and economic development of the region. Archaeological excavations have uncovered permanent human settlements in this coal basin dating back to the early Iron Age, between 800 and 500 BC. Coal mining continued throughout the Middle Ages, albeit on a smaller scale. However, it was only at the end of the 18th century that the coal industry truly flourished. This growth accelerated during the Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th century.
A bit of history…
Various Germanic tribes inhabited the region when the Romans conquered it and incorporated it into their province of Belgica.
At the end of the 5th century, Clovis, King of the Franks, conquered northern Gaul and founded the Kingdom of the Franks. Upon Clovis’s death, his kingdom was divided among his sons. Lothair inherited Austrasia, which became known as Lotharii regnum, or the Kingdom of Lothair. This name gradually transformed into Lotharingia in the 10th century, evolving over time into the Lorraine we know today. Interestingly, historic Lorraine is still sometimes referred to as Lotharingie.
Clovis’s descendants ruled France until 751 AD, followed by the Carolingians who reigned until 987. During Charlemagne’s long reign, from 768 to 814 AD, Europe underwent significant unification, and he laid the foundations for what would become modern-day France and Germany, becoming the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800 AD.
The Treaty of Verdun, in 843 AD, divided the Carolingian Empire among Charlemagne’s three surviving grandsons, creating the Kingdom of France in the west and the Holy Roman Empire in the east. Louis the German inherited East Francia, which later became part of the Holy Roman Empire in the 10th century. Lotharingia was annexed to East Francia in 880, and the newly formed Duchy of Lorraine became a region marked by a cultural and linguistic duality that persists to this day. Over the centuries, the kings of France repeatedly attempted to reconquer Lorraine, often resorting to complex marriage alliances to achieve their goals.
Lorraine becomes French
Stanislas Leszczynski, the deposed prince of Poland, inherited the Duchy of Lorraine in the 18th century. As the Duke of Lorraine was also the father-in-law of Louis XV of France, his duchy was incorporated into the Kingdom of France upon his death in 1766.
During the French Revolution of 1790, the former duchy was divided into four departments: Meuse, Meurthe, Moselle, and Vosges. However, territorial disputes persisted between France and Germany, culminating in a French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. The German Empire regained control of the region with the signing of the Treaty of Frankfurt. After the First World War, Lorraine was returned to France, and annexed again by Germany in 1940 during the Second World War. The region was liberated in March 1945 and has remained French ever since.
Economy
After the Second World War, industrial Lorraine experienced strong growth thanks to the preservation of its raw material reserves during the conflict. The influx of Italian and Polish immigrants who came to work in the mines led to unprecedented population growth, propelling Lorraine to the rank of France’s third-largest economic centre.
However, the closure of the coal and iron mines in the second half of the 20th century posed challenges to the regional economy. Nevertheless, Lorraine successfully reinvented itself by focusing on new technologies, particularly energy and electronics.
Key factors in its economic and commercial success include its strategic geographic location, bordering Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany, its membership in the SaarLorLux Eurodistrict, and its proximity to the European metropolis.
Furthermore, the Moselle department is part of the SaarMoselle Eurodistrict (EGCC), thus strengthening economic cooperation and integration. Thanks to these efforts, the Lorraine economy contirbute by nearly 3.5% to the French GDP.
Tourism
The spa towns of Vittel, Contrexéville, Bains-les-Bains, and Plombières-les-Bains contribute significantly to the charm of the Vosges Mountains. The Lorraine Regional Natural Park, meanwhile, attracts hikers and nature lovers.
In Nancy, the Art Nouveau Place Stanislas, the Carrière, and the Alliance, listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, draw tourists from all over the world, as do its picturesque lake and surrounding area.
At the end of the 18th century, Épinal gained international renown for its prints, known as the Images d’Épinal. The opulent Château de Lunéville, former residence of Stanislas Leszczynski, Duke of Lorraine, showcases sumptuous architecture and decoration. Metz is also famous for its architectural and cultural heritage, notably thanks to the Centre Pompidou, a contemporary building shaped like a vast white sail. A visit to Longwy is a must for lovers of earthenware and cloisonné enamels. Furthermore, the region’s rich military architectural heritage testifies to its unique history.
Finally, Lorraine offers a dynamic heritage tourism experience, centred on Verdun, the Argonne Forest, and the Saint-Mihiel salient. And let’s not forget that Lorraine is the only French region to celebrate Saint-Nicholas Day (Santa Claus – Father Christmas!) on December 6th.
Area: 23 547 km2
Population: 2,346.292 (2014)
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Header by Benoît Prieur (1975–) CC0 – Map by Oie blanche CC BY-SA 3.0 – Gerardmer by Espirat CC BY-SA 4.0 – Place Stanislas Nancy by Moala CC BY 2.5
