The best cycling routes around Rouves

A nice place to stay if you want to visit Nancy and Metz

Interesting facade and stone women on the roof ;-)

An overnight stay at the abbey is worthwhile, as you sleep in a truly unique setting. We chose the location because it's ideally located for cycling tours along the Moselle to Metz and Nancy.

In the heart of Nomeny lie the remains of a medieval castle that was once a strategic stronghold of the bishops of Metz. Built in the 12th century and fortified in the 14th century, the castle had a rich history until it was largely dismantled in the 17th century. Today, a few towers, walls and moats are still visible — silent witnesses to a glorious past.

🏰 Pont-à-Mousson – City of bridges, books and baroque Located on the Moselle, between Metz and Nancy, Pont-à-Mousson is a city with deep roots. It was founded around a medieval bridge and became an intellectual centre thanks to the creation of the University of Lorraine in the 16th century. The city has been hit by wars several times, but has always risen again. Today, you can admire the baroque abbey of the Prémontrés, the lively Place Duroc with its Renaissance houses, and Gothic churches such as Saint-Martin and Saint-Laurent. Pont-à-Mousson is also known for its industrial heritage – it is the world centre for cast iron pipes – and for its cultural festivals such as the Mousson d’Été.

Gothic with a story. Behind the austere façade of this church lies a rich history. Built from the 13th century onwards by the Antonists, an order dedicated to caring for the sick, it was originally the church of a hospital. The architecture is a rare mix of Gothic Rayonnant and Flamboyant, with a unique façade designed by Jacquemin de Lenoncourt, who later also designed Toul Cathedral. In 1574, the church was handed over to the Jesuits, who transformed it into the university church of the newly founded Université de Pont-à-Mousson. In 1840, the church was one of the first buildings in France to be classified as a Monument Historique. Today, it remains a silent witness to religious, intellectual and architectural history – and a haven of peace in the heart of the city.

The architecture is a rare mix of Gothic Rayonnant and Flamboyant, with a unique façade designed by Jacquemin de Lenoncourt, who later designed Toul Cathedral. Note the asymmetrical towers and the Gothic detailing around the portal – subtle but impressive.

The name of the city says it all: Pont-à-Mousson was created around this bridge over the Moselle. Since the Middle Ages, it has connected the old town with the Mousson hill. The current bridge, rebuilt several times after floods and wars, offers a beautiful view of the abbey and the river. 📍 Tip: Take a moment to pause in the middle of the bridge – on the left the baroque abbey, on the right the lively Place Duroc.