Église Sainte-Ségolène de Metz
Standing at the top of the Sainte-Croix hill on place Jeanne-d'Arc, Sainte-Ségolène church is recognisable from afar by its twin spires. This Catholic sanctuary, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages and whose Gothic nave rose around 1250, preserves a unique treasure: the oldest stained-glass window in Lorraine. A highlight of Metz's old town.
Perched on the Sainte-Croix hill
Sainte-Ségolène has watched over Metz from the Sainte-Croix hill, the highest point of the centre and the cradle of the city. Climbing the cobbled lanes of the old town up to place Jeanne-d'Arc, you reach a church whose twin spires stand out against the Metz sky. This district, lined with mansions and centuries-old façades, is among the most charming in the city. Taking time to wander here means going back to the origins of Metz, where urban life was concentrated for centuries, among quiet shops, shady little squares and lovely views over the rooftops.
Eight centuries of history
A first church already stood here in the early Middle Ages; the crypt still holds traces of it. Around 1250, a new Gothic nave was raised, in the same years as the nearby cathedral. Over the centuries the building was reworked, enlarged and restored. Its most visible transformation dates from the late 19th century: between 1896 and 1898, during the German annexation, architect Conrad Wahn redesigned the façade and gave the church its present outline. This long history makes Sainte-Ségolène a precious witness to the evolution of Metz, from the Middle Ages to the era of the German Reichsland.
An inspired neo-Gothic façade
The west front, arranged around three portals and crowned by two tall spired towers, draws on the Church of Saint Elizabeth in Marburg, a benchmark of Rhenish Gothic. Slender and symmetrical, the whole gives the building the air of a miniature cathedral looking down over place Jeanne-d'Arc. A precious detail: the bronze door, made in 1903 by Eugène Vallin of Nancy, a leading figure of the École de Nancy and Art Nouveau. Finely sculpted, it marks the threshold of a remarkably rich interior and already invites the visitor to look up towards the painted vaults.
The oldest stained glass in Lorraine
Sainte-Ségolène's treasure hides in its windows. Here you can admire the oldest stained glass in Lorraine, a 12th-century Crucifixion in the Rhenish style, of moving simplicity. The rest of the church is graced by a dazzling cycle of windows created between 1848 and 1855 by Laurent-Charles Maréchal, a renowned Metz master glassmaker, bathing the nave in coloured light. The Dalstein-Haerpfer organ, installed in 1890, rounds out this heritage, while seven bronze bells, including an imposing bourdon of several tonnes, still mark the rhythm of the district. A rare ensemble, best discovered in quiet.
Visiting Sainte-Ségolène and staying in Metz
The church can be visited freely outside services; morning light is best for enjoying the windows. Around it, the Sainte-Croix hill gathers several gems: the Cour d'Or museum, the Trinitaires cloister and, a few minutes away, Saint-Étienne cathedral. Staying in Metz lets you take your time over this heritage trail, between medieval lanes, the banks of the Moselle and the imperial quarter. A well-placed apartment in the historic centre offers the ideal comfort to explore on foot, come back for a quiet lunch and, come evening, savour a luminous and peaceful city.
Infos pratiques
Adresse : Place Jeanne d'Arc, 57000 Metz
Questions fréquentes
Why visit Sainte-Ségolène church?
For its exceptional setting atop the Sainte-Croix hill, its twin-spired neo-Gothic façade and above all its stained glass, including the oldest in Lorraine, a 12th-century Crucifixion.
Where is Sainte-Ségolène church?
On place Jeanne-d'Arc, on the Sainte-Croix hill, in the old-town district at the heart of Metz's historic centre, a few minutes' walk from Saint-Étienne cathedral.
Is there an admission fee?
No, entry is free outside religious services. For exact opening times, it is best to check the City of Metz website or the parish.
Who redesigned the present façade?
Architect Conrad Wahn, between 1896 and 1898, during the German annexation. The façade takes its cue from the Church of Saint Elizabeth in Marburg, a model of Rhenish Gothic.
What is there to see around Sainte-Ségolène?
The Cour d'Or museum, the Trinitaires cloister, the lanes of the old town and Saint-Étienne cathedral, all within walking distance of the Sainte-Croix hill.
Wikimedia Commons — Chabe01
