Ars-Sur-Moselle: Aqueduct, Fort and Historic Buildings

A trip to Ars-Sur-Moselle brings together a focus on cultural history and scenic impressions. The Roman aqueduct, Fort Driant, the Church of Saint-Martin and the portal of the Maison Morlanne each represent different eras and architectural styles; the Mance Valley adds a glimpse of rare plants. You can tailor your hotel stay to the themes that interest you most: Roman engineering, fortress history, religious architecture, Renaissance architecture or nature.

Roman Aqueduct Between Gorze and Metz

The Roman aqueduct near Ars-sur-Moselle is 22 kilometers long. It connects the Les Bouillons de Gorze spring with Metz and was built around the beginning of the 2nd century. Its length, endpoints and construction date offer different perspectives on the structure: they describe its extent, the places it links and its place in history. Thus, the aqueduct is notable not only for its individual architectural form but also for the connection between its source and destination.

Fort Driant and the Ring of Fortifications

Fort Driant is part of the ring of fortifications around Metz, built at the end of the 19th century. The fort is located on a ridge at an elevation of 360 meters. The date places it in the history of the fortifications, while the elevation describes its location precisely. On August 20, 2026, a tourism information source listed tours of Fort Driant for individual visitors. Since scheduling may change, check the current dates before your visit.

Saint-Martin and the Maison Morlanne

The fortified Church of Saint-Martin was built in the Middle Ages on the fortified grounds of the town of Ars-sur-Moselle. Its history also includes a later turning point: the church was destroyed in 1807 and rebuilt in 1816. This sequence clearly distinguishes its medieval origins from its later building history.

At the Maison Morlanne, the focus is on the portal: it is a Renaissance portal with Corinthian columns, friezes and coats of arms. The portal is classified as a Historic Monument. The columns, friezes and coats of arms provide several specific details of its design; the classification also identifies its protected heritage status. Unlike Saint-Martin, whose building history is marked by several dates, the focus here is on the portal's design and classification.

The Mance Valley

In the Mance Valley, the focus shifts from buildings to the landscape. A small stream flows through a cool valley and then meanders through Ars-sur-Moselle. Rare trees and plants, including edelweiss, can be found in the valley. The stream and vegetation offer nature enthusiasts two different points of interest: the course of the water and the distinctive plant life. The rare plants, including edelweiss, are another specific feature of this landscape alongside the stream.

Comparing Historical Periods

The timeline spans from the aqueduct of the early 2nd century to the medieval origins of Saint-Martin and the ring of fortifications from the end of the 19th century. The Renaissance portal of the Maison Morlanne adds another architectural period to this sequence. Comparing them helps organize the different themes by date and architectural style.

Discover more destinations: Langatte, Bérig-Vintrange, Féy, Avricourt, Tarquimpol, Niderviller, Château-Salins, Schwerdorff

See the regional travel overview: Moselle.