Florange is a town of Moselle, in Grand East region, a few kilometers southwest of Thionville.
Its territory of 13 km² is crossed by the valley of the Fensch, tributary of the Moselle which runs along the locality to the east, and some ponds punctuate the banks of the two streams. Belonging to the country of the three borders (which brings together Lorraine, Luxembourg and Saarland), Florange remained very green in the northwest, covered for a quarter by a duturn forest (the timber of the star).
Crossing by the Roman Roman Reims-Trèves during the antiquity, period to which metallurgy and pottery workshops were already developed, Florange becomes the siege of an important seigniory, with a fortress often besieged. It is Charles-Quint, knowing the friendship of King Francis I for local lords, who ordered the dismantling of the castle in 1521.
Attached to France in 1659, Florange is experiencing an industrial growth in the nineteenth century that will soon make it a strong place of Lorraine steel (via wendel's family). Population growth and urbanization accompany this development. The city goes from 3000 to 14,000 in the 20th century but the economic crisis strikes the city at the turn of the 1980s and the last major sites of ArcelorMittal Ferment in the years 2010.
While economic reconversion was initiated, Florange puts more than ever before its heritage, its environment and its leisure offer.
Its seigniorial past under the old regime then its economic boom has endowed Florange of a civil and religious heritage of interest that should be discovered.
Can thus appear in the program of a course in the city and its hamlets the castle of Bétange, in the northwest, fortified place from the Middle Ages, destroyed by the Spaniards but rebuilt in the 1530s, still in the form of a Château with a defensive and military vocation. Belonging to the lords of the city until the revolution The site is redeemed at the beginning of the nineteenth century and a more residential castle, with modern comforts, is rebuilt. A 60-hectare park with a body of water identifies the building. Always private, the castle is open to the public during the Heritage Days (inquire at +33 3 82 59 32 60).
The Daspich Castle, for its part, of medieval origin, has been integrated into 1967 to the perimeter of the Sollac steel plant and has been shaved. However, three important elements including a scum of the sixteenth century were "saved" and reused during the restoration of the castle of Luttange, 20 km southeast of Florange.
As for the castle of Florange even, destroyed in 1521, a few vestiges are exposed to the media library of the commune and the Museum of Thionville.
In religious level, the Sainte-Agathe church built in 1777 was strongly reworked a century later with the layout of three naves in a neo-Gothic style. After the Second World War, the stained glass windows were replaced and a flowery parterre substituted for the old cemetery surrounded by grids. Enlightened at night, the building is surveyed by the presbytery, one of which is decorated with a fresco with the old Village Florange. On the other hand, adjoining the sacristy, part of the former monumental tomb of the Count of Béthune and Lord of Florange, died in 1809, remains visible.
Then on the village of Ebange, the Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built in 1955 in a contemporary style mastered (lack of pillars inside). A Calvary of the 15th century has been preserved outside. Other lorrain-style calves punctuate the city: their octagonal barrel is surmounted by an ogive-shaped niche that supports the cross.
As far as cultural recreation is concerned, the city has a reputable auditorium, the bridge, whose programming (plays, one-man-show of humorists, concerts) entries each year troops and artists of Rename coming "prowling" before their return Paris. Information on +33 3 82 59 17 99.
At the media library, there are regular exhibitions, shows, readings, writing workshops. Information on +33 3 82 59 44 90.
Finally, to note that a Gallo-Roman museum is housed in the Bétange complex. The remains set to days during archaeological excavations in the region (vases, stelae, statuettes...). Inquire on +33 3 82 59 32 60.
Florange is finally rich for visitors and tourists of varied potential in terms of sports leisure and "nature".
The bétange complex, which adjoins the eponymous castle and houses the already cited museum, has many amenities in a green setting with a gaming areas, a skate park, a basketball court, a health career are accessible. as well as a pedagogical farm. Rooms dedicated to billiards or bodybuilding are also furnished on the complex. Open every day. Information at +33 3 82 59 32 60.
In addition, tennis enthusiasts must contact the local club to book a short (attach on +33 6 09 02 92 97) and for fishermen wishing to take advantage of the fensch or neighboring ponds, it is necessary to inquire with the association which maintains these sites on +33 3 82 91 08 99.
The municipal swimming pool has a sports basin and well-being. Information on +33 3 82 58 45 04.
Finally, for hiking enthusiasts, many courses are conceivable including the banks of the Fensch, the Domaniah Forest, but also sites under the industrial heritage (old factories, working cities with characteristic urban planning). Loops can also reach the left bank of the Moselle east of the locality or the city of Thionville. Maps and information at +33 3 82 86 65 30.
