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The Benedictine abbey of Saint-Mihiel, in the Meuse, is a jewel of French heritage. The history of the town, nicknamed the little Florence of Lorraine, begins in the 8th century. Today, its inhabitants are fighting to preserve its splendours.
It is nicknamed “the little Florence of Lorraine”. Saint-Mihiel, 4,000 inhabitants, is located in the heart of the Meuse valley. With its remarkable facades and mansions, the city obtained the “Small city of character” label in 2019. The 17th century abbey church, which is the pride of the inhabitants, is currently being restored. “It is a building that required a mad fight to find the financing“, reports Pierre Hippert, deputy mayor in charge of Saint-Mihiel heritage (Meuse).
Residents in love with their heritage
AT inside, large naves, wonders of stained glass but also priceless sculptures. During the conservation works, the workers made an important archaeological discovery: painted stones, which were part of an old decorative vault. The great organ of the church, one of the most beautiful in Europe, is also being restored. Joël Laissy, president of the association of friends of the organ of Saint-Mihiel (Meuse), is struggling to find funds. “I have been fighting for ten years. I’m in love with it“, he says. Many inhabitants of the town share his love of beautiful things. Catherine Sidrot thus revels in the terracotta ceiling of her house, classified as a historic monument in 2022.
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