Fortifications de Mézières

Housed in a meander of the Meuse, the city is the first of the two cities to be built. Mézières built up its merchant fame throughout the Middle Ages with the exodus of Liège merchants from the 13th century onwards. 1521, Charles V attempted to enter the Kingdom of France before being arrested in Mézières by the famous Chevalier Bayard sent by King François I. The King then ordered the reinforcement of the city's protections with the construction of the Milard and Du Roy towers (still visible today). The city asserts itself as a strategic place of defence of the kingdom at the border. The city is honoured in 1570 and receives the marriage of the King of France Charles IX who marries Elizabeth of Austria in the current Basilica. At the end of the Wars of Religion, Mézières was partially destroyed after the installation of the French Catholic League, which was then cornered by the Protestants, leaving the way clear for the construction of the Charleville project initiated by Charles de Gonzague. Its future became military (18th century) then administrative and notarial (19th century). In each of the stones of Mézières is inscribed a moment in the history of France. The beginning of the 20th century brought magnificent Art Deco constructions. Mézières is charming by its composite style, radiant and charming.

DATAtourisme France