Sixteen monumental arches of the Roman aqueduct remain on the Jouy-aux-Arches side. There is also an interpretive trail along the bridge, the Église Saint-André, the fortified house Château du Veau d’Or, and paths through the landscape along the Moselle. This lets you combine architectural history with a walk or other historic sites. You can focus your stay according to your interests: the aqueduct, local history, or the landscape.
Roman aqueduct and Parcours des arches
The Gallo-Roman aqueduct also runs through the municipality of Jouy-aux-Arches and is classified as a historic monument. It dates from the 2nd century AD and is considered one of the best-preserved structures of the Western Roman Empire. The above-ground aqueduct bridge is 1,128 meters long. It once had 110 piers, the tallest of which reached 25 meters. Sixteen monumental arches remain on the Jouy-aux-Arches side. The length, former number of piers, and surviving arches convey different dimensions of the structure. The aqueduct can only be viewed from the outside; check current access conditions before your visit.
The Parcours des arches interpretive trail runs alongside the aqueduct bridge. Its seven stops and eleven panels explain the history and features of the ancient aqueduct. This draws attention not only to the arches, but also to the history and details of the structure. Before your visit, check the current condition of the trail and panels. Beneath the arches there is also a basin with a diameter of four meters. It was intended to reduce the flow of water at the aqueduct’s outlet by creating a whirlpool. This detail shifts attention from the scale of the bridge to the function of a single component.
Church and fortified house
The Église Saint-André was completed in 1700. Arthur Schouler created 13 of the church’s 14 stained-glass windows. For a visit that goes beyond the Roman site, the church offers its own historical and artistic focus. Its completion in 1700 and the windows provide specific details to look out for as you explore.
The fortified house Château du Veau d’Or is also still visible in Jouy-aux-Arches. From 1444 to 1445, Charles VII and René d’Anjou occupied the house with their troops and fortified themselves there. The two buildings highlight different aspects of local history: the aqueduct centers on the ancient water system and its arches, while the Château du Veau d’Or tells the story of a fortified house and the events of 1444 to 1445.
Walking paths, the Moselle, and the arboretum
Numerous paths give walkers access to landscapes along the Moselle, around numerous ponds, and on the slopes of the hill. Local scenery ranges from the river landscape to ponds and hillsides. If you would like to spend time outdoors as well as visiting buildings, you can choose a walk that takes in these different landscapes.
On the banks of the Moselle, an exercise trail offers the opportunity to do some basic exercises. The arboretum adds information about the local natural environment among the plantings: it has species-identification panels as well as information panels. Alongside the walking paths, the exercise trail and arboretum therefore offer different ways to spend time outdoors.
Getting to Jouy-aux-Arches by bike
The Metz–Pont-à -Mousson stage of the Voie Bleue reaches Jouy-aux-Arches and its Roman aqueduct. It is 33 kilometers long; the stated travel time is two hours and ten minutes. This gives you a way to fit a visit to the town into a cycling stage with a specified distance and duration. Route details may change, so it is advisable to check the latest information before planning.
Find hotels for your stay
Check the specific hotel offers for your travel dates before booking.
Discover more destinations: Bousse, Abreschviller, Chérisey, Saint-Jean-Kourtzerode, Contz-Les-Bains, Tarquimpol, Sierck-les-Bains, Vaux.
For the broader travel overview: Moselle.
