Couvent et église Notre-Dame de Rustroff

Rustroff

On the heights above Sierck-les-Bains, facing the meanders of the Moselle as it prepares to leave France, the little village of Rustroff keeps a religious memory far older than its size would suggest: from the 13th century it was its church that served as the parish church for the whole domain of Sierck, and the proud fortified town below long remained a mere dependency of the "mother church" of Rustroff, before a convent was established in the village. But what makes the heart of the place beat is a vow more than 275 years old. In July 1750 the Montenach stream, swollen by a storm, devastated Sierck: the Tour des Grilles collapsed and some fifteen inhabitants perished. The survivors then swore to climb every year in pilgrimage to Rustroff to implore divine protection. Since then, on the first Sunday of July each year, a thirty-pound candle is carried in procession from the church of Sierck up to Notre-Dame de Rustroff: two processions, one led by the clergy and the mayor of Sierck, the other by the mayor of Rustroff, meet at the parish boundary before climbing the hill together. The new candle is placed beside the previous year's, which is still burning — a chain of light unbroken since the 18th century, concluded with a sung Mass.

Getting there : Village of Rustroff, 1.5 km above Sierck-les-Bains (D64). Church in the heart of the village, open for services; procession of the great candle on the first Sunday of July. Coordinates: approach point, village centre and its church.

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

Ambient sound