Visite guidée de Mézières et de la Tour du Roy

It is a small old town, nestled on a hill in one of the loops of the Meuse. I want to talk about the small town of Mézières.

Enter through the Porte de Bourgogne, walk along the Tour Milard and enter the Tour du Roy. Let yourself be carried away by the citadel of Mézières, located in the heart of one of the meanders of the Meuse, cradle of very active commerce. Listen! You may be able to hear them from the city's merchants and traders, you are in their courtyard!
Inspect all around you, the remains of a prosperous medieval city that time has never spared.

Come and meet the Chevalier Bayard, who is waiting for you there, at the very top of his base. Heroes of stories that soldiers content themselves with to distract boredom. Bayard who defends Mézières with a master hand against the imperial troops of Charles V, in 1521.
However, this siege of 1521 had a major impact on the development of the city. It demonstrates the importance of this fortified city for the defense of the kingdom of France. 

With the creation of Charleville, the ideal city desired by Charles de Gonzague, the possibilities further diminished. Mézières sees its population decreasing, Charles has condemned it!

But beware, Mézières does not fall that easily!

The city today conceals many treasures. The Basilica of Notre Dame d'Espérance, in Flamboyant Gothic style, which saw the marriage of King Charles IX of France and Elisabeth of Austria. But also these extraordinary stained glass windows which are made by the painter and sculptor René Dürrbach, collaborator and friend of Picasso, not to mention its remarkable organs.
And recently, the sacred art treasure of the Ardennes has also been installed in Mézières. In the former sacristy of Notre Dame, precious objects, jewels of religious art testify to the know-how of craftsmen from the XNUMXth century to the XNUMXth century in the department.

Finally, I won't even tell you about its absolutely remarkable art deco district! This will be the subject of another visit!