Rodemack

Explore Rodemack through its medieval town, fortifications and paths through the Moselle countryside. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Rodemack, you can plan your trip around what interests you most: would you like to learn about the history of the citadel and ramparts, are you interested in sacred art, or would you like to include nature? These different facets of the town offer practical starting points for planning your trip.

Citadel, town gate and ramparts

Rodemack Citadel was built on the foundations of a medieval castle founded by the lords of Rodemack in the 12th century. The Porte de Sierck tells another chapter in the history of the fortifications: the fortified gate was built by the villagers in the 14th century. The medieval village of Rodemack itself is also listed in France’s register of historic monuments.

About 700 metres of the ramparts remain and are visible; they stand between 6 and 9 metres high. Six flanking towers of the fortifications have also been preserved. A covered walkway runs along part of the ramparts and offers views of the garden and village. Maintenance work may be required on some sections. The terrace of the citadel’s Officers’ Pavilion offers far-reaching views of Rodemack and the Pays des Trois Frontières. Access conditions may vary seasonally, so check access arrangements before your visit.

If you would like to explore the citadel and village on a guided tour, a combined visit is available year-round on request. It lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and starts in front of the Office de Tourisme de Cattenom et Environs. Confirm the duration and meeting point when making your request.

Church and chapel

The Église Saint-Nicolas houses the mausoleum of Hermann Fortuné and his wife, Marie-Sidonie de Daun. The church also contains sculptures and woodwork from the Greff workshop. The Chapelle Notre-Dame currently displays a statue on the theme of “The Education of the Virgin.” Outside the chapel is a calvary cross dating from the 18th century, depicting Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian. Alongside the history of the fortifications, Rodemack’s religious themes and artworks offer further inspiration for planning your trip.

Paths and nature in Rodemack

The Jean-Marie-Pelt Loop leads from the medieval town through the Moselle countryside and across the sandy grasslands of Grund. Along the loop, information panels and observation games offer insights into trees, nettles and living hedges. The content of these activities may be updated; the loop itself remains accessible. The route thus connects its starting point in the town with nature topics explored along the way through the panels and games.

The Jardin médiéval lies along the ramparts of the medieval town and is freely accessible year-round. Temporary closures are nevertheless possible. This is separate from the landscaped park in Rodemack: Jeanne de Gargan created it in 1920 with plants she had brought back from her travels. The park contains 41 tree species, including a notable catalpa; one-third are conifers. The plant collection may change.

An annual event

At the medieval festival, held annually over a weekend in June, a medieval market fills all the village’s lanes. The event’s format may vary from one edition to the next. So if you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and details of that year’s event in advance. Together with the citadel, the surviving fortifications, the artworks and the Jean-Marie-Pelt Loop, the festival offers another time-specific reason to consider Rodemack as a destination.

Discover more destinations: Abreschviller, Wiesviller, Rohrbach-Lès-Bitche, Bérig-Vintrange, Bayon, Sierck-les-Bains, Rosbruck, Basse-Ham.

Return to the main travel overview: Moselle.