Longwy is a town in the north-east of France and at the north end of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department - so also on the boder with Belgium and the border with Luxembourg. The closest large towns in France are Verdun and Metz, both south of Longwy.
Explore Longwy
France This Way review: although it is not a major tourist destination, there are several sights of interest in Longwy if you are in the region and a visit is enjoyable
The town centre is called the 'citadel of Longwy', and is a partly pedestrianised area around the church of Saint-Dagobert. There is a large car park in front of the church, the best place to park for your visit.
Fortifications of Longwy
South of the centre there is a large area of the town where you can see the fortifications installed by Vauban, a renowned military engineer . Now surrounding an area of park, this is the major attraction in the town.
The origins of the fortifications are a castle that was built in this location in medieval times - the Tower of Malcouvert is almost all that remains of the original castle.The walls we see today were built at the end of the 17th century, and substantially improved in the following century. Overall the two rows of walls create a star shape for the defences.
The main entrance is through the Porte de France, one of the original gateways into the citadel created by the walls. Inside the Porte de France there is a bridge that connects two of the walls of the fortificatons and overlooks a large grass area where events sometimes take place.
There was originally a second entrance, the Porte de Bourgogne, but this was destroyed in 1914, during the First World War. Most of the original walls can still be seen today
Other monuments in Longwy
The Puits de Longwy is a round stone building in Place Darche, which contained a well that supplied water for the citadel. Originally there were five of these wells, but only one remains today.
You will also see the original town hall of Longwy. This was built in the first half of the 18th century and is an impressive building with a fronton on the facade that contains the coat of arms of the town. This town hall was also largely damaged during the bombardment of the town in 1914 but the facade survived, and the other parts of the building were rebuilt after the war.
There are also several churches in Longwy including the Church of Saint-Dagobert, with a classical facade in stone added to the front of the church, the church of Saint-Jules à Gouraincourt, built in red stone, the Chapel Margaine, with a facade incorporating two small towers, and the Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel.
Ceramics of Longwy
Since the end of the 18th century, Longwy has had a high reputation for the quality of its ceramics, and there are still several cramic shops and workshops in the town, producing a wide range of ceramics and including some impressive contemporary articles.
At the south of the town centre you can visit the Museum of Enamels (the Musée des Emaux et Faïences de Longwy), quite a small museum that doesn't take long to visit where you can see a selection of the items produced over the last 200 years and watch a short film about how the ceramics are made.
The museum is in the building that was once the bakery of the citadel of Longwy.
As well as the museum there are boutiques in Longwy where you can buy examples of the enamels, such as the "Emaux d'Art de Longwy" and the "Faïenceries et Emaux de Longwy" which both have a large selecton of articles to see.
Attractions nearby
About 40 kilometres east of Longwy you can visit Rodemack, listed among the "most beautiful villages of France".
You can find more travel ideas in the Lorraine guide.
Photos of Longwy
Click any picture to start the gallery
Arrange a visit to Longwy
Hotels in Longwy
Booking.com: best prices
For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com
Map of Longwy and places nearby
Visit near Longwy with France This Way reviews
Rodemack
The medieval centre in the fortified village of Rodemack make it one of the most beautiful villages in the Lorraine region
Rodemack guide
Verdun
War memorials are the centre of most visits to Verdun, scene of some of the most terrible battles in the First World War, but don't overlook the cathedral and the citadel
Verdun guide
Metz
As well as the cathedral it is the grand squares surrounded by 18th century townhouses that are among the highlights of your visit to Metz
Metz guideAddress: Longwy, Briey, Lorraine, 54400, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 49.52, longitude 5.760555
Plan your visit to Longwy, Meurthe-et-Moselle
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Longwy ville neuve (Vauban fortifications): heritage site
- Rombas: ville fleurie 4* (38 km)
- Parc zoologique d'Amnéville: zoo or wildlife park (41 km)
- Metz: secteur sauvegarde (51 km)
- Parc du château de Pange: remarkable garden (65 km)
Market days in Longwy, France
Regular market(s) are held in Longwy each Thursday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Longwy (Francais)