Mars-La-Tour draws attention to the events of 1870, preserved architectural features and a route between ponds. This offers different ways to plan your trip: you can explore the town’s history or include local wildlife and plant life along the Circuit de mémoire de la guerre de 1870. This lets you incorporate places of remembrance, architectural history and nature into your stay.
Remembrance of 1870
The Battle of Rezonville, Vionville and Mars-La-Tour on 16 August 1870 is described as Europe’s last great cavalry battle. The Monument aux morts is a work by Bogino and commemorates French soldiers who died for their homeland on 16 and 18 August 1870. Its bronze statue depicts France crowning a dying soldier. The battle, monument and statue represent different aspects of remembrance: the military event, commemoration of the dead and a visual depiction. Keep the dates distinct: the battle is associated with 16 August, while the monument also commemorates 18 August.
Preserved architectural heritage
An older architectural landmark is the Collégiale de Chanoines de L’Annonciation. It was built between 1500 and 1502 and is privately owned. The north façade, the arch of the former west portal and significant remains of the former south aisle have been preserved. These different features offer specific clues to the building’s layout: a façade, a portal arch and the remains of an aisle.
The Château in Mars-La-Tour is also privately owned. Sections of its perimeter wall survive on the north, east and south sides. At the Collégiale, the focus is on individual parts of a church building, while at the Château it is on sections of wall on three sides. This comparison shows two different scales of architectural history.
Saint-Martin: Appointment and stained glass
The Saint-Martin memorial church can be visited by appointment; confirm the appointment locally before your visit. Saint-Martin Church has 16 stained-glass windows depicting figures such as Marshal Foch and Joan of Arc, as well as scenes from the life of Saint Martin. The windows offer a different focus from the Monument aux morts: here you encounter historical and religious imagery, while the monument centres on remembrance of the soldiers who died in August 1870.
A circular route between ponds
The Circuit de mémoire de la guerre de 1870 runs partly alongside a railway line and passes between ponds. There is a picnic area and information boards about local wildlife and plant life. The ponds shape the route, while the picnic area offers a place to rest and the boards explain nature-related topics. The route thus complements the historical themes with a landscape perspective. The picnic area and information boards may change; check local notices if these facilities are important to your plans.
Discover more destinations: Doncourt-Lès-Conflans, Flirey, Pulney, Vandoeuvre-Lès-Nancy, Ludres, Maizières, Bernécourt, Liverdun.
For the broader travel guide: Meurthe-Et-Moselle.
