Château de Prény

Prény

"Prény! Prény!": for centuries this name was the war cry of the soldiers of Lorraine. It stood for far more than a castle: the mother fortress of the duchy, attested from around the year 900, which became the dukes of Lorraine's great bulwark against the ambitions of the bishops of Metz, their powerful neighbours. Before Nancy established itself as capital, the dukes often stayed in this stronghold reputed to be impregnable — and indeed, Lorraine tradition boasts that it was never taken by storm. Perched on its hill above the Moselle valley, the fortress boasted one of the largest enclosures in Lorraine, bristling with towers whose names ring out like challenges — tradition has kept that of the "Mandeguerre" tower, literally the one that "summons war". The 17th century, fatal to the strongholds of Lorraine caught in the French vice, saw it dismantled; the ruins served as a quarry, and then the hill fell asleep. Today, gutted towers and stretches of curtain wall emerge from the foliage, cleared and restored to view; part of the ruins can be explored freely, and the panorama takes in the Moselle valley and the Côtes de Lorraine. The place combines ducal memory, the silence of stones and an immense horizon: one understands at a glance why this name, hurled into the fray, was enough to express all the pride of Lorraine. The village of Prény, nestled at its foot, keeps its church and its old houses.

Getting there : Hill overlooking the village of Prény, between Metz and Pont-à-Mousson. Free access to part of the ruins, footpath from the village; guided tours on request (information: 03 83 81 75 83).

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound