Dommartemont: History, views and winegrowing

Dommartemont lies on the southern slopes of the Malzéville Plateau. The destination combines a long history of settlement with historic landmarks in the town centre, winegrowing and views across the Nancy metropolitan area. When choosing a hotel, it can be helpful to first get a sense of the destination: Dommartemont brings together archaeological and religious history, practical route options and a distinctive winegrowing tradition.

Hillside setting and routes on the plateau

A hiking report from September 2020 describes a viewpoint above Dommartemont with a 180-degree view across the Nancy metropolitan area. From the information board on Sainte Geneviève Hill, you can make out the agglomeration’s major monuments and notable places. Before visiting, check access to the viewpoint and board, as well as vegetation conditions and the state of the board.

Numerous walks are possible from the plateau via the strategic route. Another distinct option is the “Dans la Gueule du Loup” hike, which passes through Dommartemont. The official Grand Nancy route description, dated June 2024, gives a distance of 8 km and an estimated duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. This gives you a specific guide to the time and distance, alongside the walking options. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Sainte Geneviève and local history

Sainte Geneviève Hill belongs to Dommartemont and Essey-lès-Nancy and has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. It is one of the oldest settled places in the agglomeration; evidence of settlement there dates back to the Neolithic period. Later, a Gallic settlement first developed on Sainte Geneviève, followed by an oppidum. The hill thus brings together two historical perspectives: a place of pilgrimage and archaeological evidence of early settlement.

Some cobbled streets remain in the historic centre. The Fontaine des Ormes washhouse dates from 1950; a 17th-century monastery now serves as the town hall. The monastery’s historic origins and its present-day municipal function stand side by side. Saint Martin Church houses a chalice donated by Napoleon III. Together, these landmarks show different facets of local history: the streetscape, everyday architecture, public use and a donated religious object.

Winegrowing and landscape management

Dommartemont’s cultural vineyard was replanted in 2003 across an area of 3,000 m²; the Coteau Saint-Martin vineyard has been cultivated for more than twenty years. Local winegrowing thus brings a specific replanting project together with a long history of cultivation.

The Lycée agricole de Pixerécourt holds its annual sheep transhumance on the Malzéville Plateau, helping to maintain the pastoral landscape. If the transhumance is relevant to your travel plans, check the date for the year of your visit.

Discover more destinations: Baccarat, Richardménil, Rehainviller, Lucey, Badonviller, Toul, Bouxières-aux-Dames, Thiaucourt-Regniéville.

For the broader travel overview: Meurthe-Et-Moselle.