Visite guidée de Mézières et de la Tour du Roy

There's a small, ancient commune nestling on a hill in one of the Meuse river loops. I'm talking about the little village of Mézières. Enter through the Porte de Bourgogne, skirt the Tour Milard and enter the Tour du Roy. Let yourself be carried away by the citadel of Mézières, nestled in the heart of one of the Meuse?s meanders, cradle of a very active trade. Listen carefully! Inspect all around you, the remains of a prosperous medieval city that time has never spared. Come and meet the Chevalier Bayard, who awaits you there, high up on his pedestal. The hero of soldiers' tales of boredom. Bayard defended Mézières with a masterful hand against Charles V?s imperial troops in 1521, yet this siege had a major impact on the town?s development. It demonstrated the importance of this fortified city to the defense of the French kingdom. With the creation of Charleville, the ideal city envisioned by Charles de Gonzague, the town?s possibilities became even more limited. Mézières saw its population dwindle, Charles had condemned it! But beware, Mézières didn't fall so easily! Today, the city is home to many treasures. The flamboyant Gothic Basilica of Notre dame d?Espérance, where Charles IX, King of France, married Elisabeth of Austria. But also its extraordinary stained glass windows by painter and sculptor René Dürrbach, Picasso?s collaborator and friend, not to mention its remarkable organs. And recently, the Ardennes? treasure trove of sacred art has also been installed in Mézières. In the former sacristy of Notre Dame, precious objects, jewels of religious art, bear witness to the skills of craftsmen from the 13th to the 19th century in the department. And I won't even mention its absolutely remarkable art deco district! That's for another visit! Find out more about Mézières, la Médiévale