Hombourg-Haut offers a medieval quarter, Gothic religious buildings and a cultural history linked to the composer Théodore Gouvy. The Forêt de la Papiermühle also shapes the area’s offerings for walks and hikes. Anyone looking for a hotel in Hombourg-Haut can plan their trip around different interests: architectural history, music or activities in the forest. Specific visiting conditions apply at some attractions, so it is worth knowing them when planning your trip.

Explore Vieux-Hombourg on foot

In the medieval quarter of Vieux-Hombourg, the houses stand close together within the former fortifications. Visitors can explore the quarter on a 2.5-kilometre circular walking route starting at Place Jacques de Lorraine. The starting point and route length provide a clear framework for exploring on foot. La Vieille Porte is the main entrance to the old town and the only one of its three fortified gates that remains.

The Chapelle Sainte-Catherine is a Gothic chapel built by the knight Simon de Hombourg between 1250 and 1270. It is classified as a historic monument. The chapel can only be viewed from the outside except during guided tours led by the tourist office, when it is open to visitors.

Gothic architecture and monuments

The Collégiale Saint-Étienne was built for a chapter of canons founded in Hombourg-Haut in 1254. Construction of the Gothic church began in the late 13th century and was completed around 1400. It stands on a rocky promontory and is visible from almost every direction. The former Château fort complex is located between the Collégiale Saint-Étienne and the Chapelle Sainte-Catherine.

The protected Château d'Hausen monument complex includes the façades and roofs of the château and its outbuildings, including the orangery, the entire garden, the façades and roofs of the gardener’s house, and the estate’s enclosing wall. It was granted protected status by decree dated 5 June 2019.

Forest and music

The Forêt de la Papiermühle is one of the largest forests in Moselle and the second-largest forest in the entire coal basin. The forest is used by walkers and hikers; hiking and cycling routes are available from the tourist information office. This adds another type of activity to the area’s cultural focus: in Vieux-Hombourg, a circular walking route is provided with a named starting point and a set distance, while hiking and cycling routes are available for the forest.

Théodore Gouvy spent the last 30 years of his life at Villa Gouvy, where he composed his most important works. Visits to the villa must be arranged in advance, as it is not usually open to the public. The Festival international Théodore Gouvy also turns the spotlight on his music: each year, it presents a concert series celebrating the compositions of the local composer. Anyone planning to attend a concert should check the specific dates. The villa and the festival offer different ways to discover Gouvy’s life and work; visiting the villa requires an appointment, while attendance at the concert series depends on the programme for that year.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Contz-Les-Bains, Burtoncourt, Kédange-Sur-Canner, Rahling, Sarreguemines, Zoufftgen, Schwerdorff, Illange

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