Ars-Laquenexy brings together a layered architectural history with gardens and countryside nearby. If you are looking for a hotel in Ars-Laquenexy, you can plan your stay around two interests: the village’s buildings and chapels, or the gardens and marked trails near Laquenexy. The Château de Mercy is a Belle Époque landmark; the church and relocated chapels add earlier periods of construction and local history. The nearby Jardins Fruitiers de Laquenexy complete the picture with themed gardens and activities for visitors to explore. When planning, you can weigh up whether to focus on the village’s architecture or on an outing centered on gardens and nature.
Architecture from Different Periods
The Château de Mercy is located in Ars-Laquenexy, at Clos Nord on Allée de la Chapelle. The present château was built between 1905 and 1908 and is a monumental example of Belle Époque architecture. Its eclectic, historicist and Art Nouveau elements bring different styles together in a single building. This makes it possible for architecture enthusiasts to distinguish it, in terms of period and style, from the village’s older religious buildings.
The chapel at Domaine de Mercy was built by Jean Bertrand de Saint Jure between 1626 and 1627. At the chapel of Château de Mercy, the 17th-century portal draws attention to a change of location: it was moved here from the Sainte-Elisabeth chapel in Metz. The chapel also contains two religious paintings depicting an Assumption and an abbess. The construction date, relocated portal and paintings offer different points of interest for exploring the history of religious architecture.
The Église Saint Lambert was rebuilt in two stages, from 1826 to 1833. The nave, choir and sacristy were newly constructed during this period. The new bell tower followed in 1842 and was built by the architect Jacquemin. The chapel of Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs tells a different story: in 1923, it was moved stone by stone to Ars-Laquenexy and rebuilt beside the parish church in the old cemetery. After it was relocated, a pilgrimage to the chapel was organized each year from 1924 onwards, around September 15. Check locally to see whether it still takes place today.
La Horgne à Ars, also known as La Horgne à Grève, also links architecture with the history of the landscape. It lies at the edge of Ars-Laquenexy on the CD 999 toward Rémilly. The estate includes an 18th-century residence with an extensive green garden, which was an English-style park in the 19th century.
Gardens and Trails near Laquenexy
The nearby Jardins Fruitiers de Laquenexy offer self-guided visits across a 15-hectare site with 22 themed gardens. The offerings also include themed guided tours and discovery games. For more than 100 years, the gardens have helped preserve fruit varieties. When planning your visit, you can choose between exploring independently, taking a guided tour or trying a discovery game; check the latest visitor information in advance.
The Circuit des jardins fruitiers starts in Laquenexy and is an easy, marked circular trail covering 8.1 kilometers. Allow approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes for the loop. Its nature and family theme offers a different focus from the village’s architectural history. Check current trail conditions before setting out. Another nearby point of interest in the landscape is the Sentier n°13 – La Nied française. The trail offers views of the Metz metropolitan area and the riverside trees along the Nied.
You can also explore regional food and craft themes through a dated event: at the 2025 edition of the Fête des Jardins et des Saveurs, local producers, craftspeople and chefs offered a program of events, advice and tastings.
Getting There and Planning Your Stay
Ars-Laquenexy is connected to the Proxis public transport network of the Metz metropolitan area. Check the latest routes and schedules for your travel date when planning your journey. By choosing the focus of your stay, you can also decide whether the village’s architectural and religious history or the garden and landscape attractions near Laquenexy are more important to your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Berling, Hambach, Contz-Les-Bains, Maizières-Lès-Metz, La Maxe, Hanviller, Volstroff, Haselbourg.
Return to the regional travel overview: Moselle.
