Badonviller brings together a protected church and a faience collection with First World War memorial sites and a hiking route that starts in the town. Two different themes can help you plan your stay: local architectural and ceramic history, or a hike with historical stops along the way. Details on the season, accessibility and route profile make it easier to choose.
Faience and Architectural History
The Maison du Patrimoine in Badonviller brings together pieces from the faience factories of Pexonne and Badonviller in a permanent collection. This places ceramics from two towns at the center of the collection. During the summer season, live demonstrations of faience techniques are also offered there. If you would like to plan your visit around these demonstrations, check the current program before you go. Admission to the Maison du Patrimoine is free; you should also check the current visitor information in advance.
The Église in Badonviller reflects a different period: its main construction phase dates to the second half of the 18th century. It has been protected as a historic monument since February 14, 1921. Together, the collection, demonstrations and church offer different highlights for a culture-focused stay, from ceramic craftsmanship to architectural history.
Memorial Sites in Badonviller
The NĂ©cropole Nationale preserves the remains of 2,653 French soldiers from the First World War, as well as 28 French soldiers who fell between 1939 and 1945. These separate figures keep both historical periods in view. The site also contains a sculpture commemorating those who fell at La Chapelotte. It originally stood at the Col de La Chapelotte and was later moved to this memorial site. The NĂ©cropole is open daily throughout the year; nevertheless, check the access conditions again before your trip.
The Monument du 358e R.I. also commemorates the First World War, but with a different focus: it was erected in 1924 for the infantrymen who fell in this section between February 1915 and June 1916. The monument stands at the site of the Village-Nègre, a former French cantonment near the front. The Nécropole preserves remains and houses a relocated commemorative sculpture; the monument recalls a regiment and a specific period of the fighting.
Hiking the Circuit des vallées
The Circuit des vallées starts in Badonviller at the Monument du 358e R.I. on the D992. The route is 11 kilometers long, with 290 meters of elevation gain. It passes the Grotte des Poilus, which served as a medical station during the First World War. This connects a specific route profile with a historical site along the way. Check the trail markers and path conditions before setting out.
When choosing a hotel in Badonviller, you can start by deciding which theme you want to shape your stay. The summer season is relevant for the faience demonstrations, and you should check the current program in advance. For the Circuit, both the distance and elevation gain matter, as do the trail markers and conditions before you set out. The NĂ©cropole offers a different timeframe, as it is open daily throughout the year; still, confirm the access conditions before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Pierrepont, Cerville, Lucey, Bouxières-aux-Dames, Ludres, Saint-Pierremont, Froville, Joppécourt
For the broader travel overview: Meurthe-Et-Moselle.
