L'Œuvre de Jaumont
At Malancourt-la-Montagne, north-west of Metz, this museum has settled beside the quarries where the famous Jaumont stone has been extracted for centuries, the golden rock that gives the cathedral and the city's façades their honeyed hue. Here you discover the monumental work of sculptor Antoine Dyduch, carved from that sun-coloured stone. It is a quiet, out-of-the-way place, open seasonally, and one that takes a little effort to reach.
The stone that coloured Metz
Jaumont stone is a limestone the colour of ochre and gold, quarried since antiquity at Malancourt-la-Montagne. It is what gives Metz its instantly recognisable chromatic unity: Saint-Étienne cathedral, the ramparts and countless façades in the centre are built of it. Nicknamed the "sun stone", it has fired the imagination of stonecutters and artists alike. The museum showcases this material as close as possible to its source, right beside the quarries that yielded it.
The monumental work of Antoine Dyduch
The museum presents the work of sculptor Antoine Dyduch, a Romanesque-inspired ensemble carved from Jaumont stone: figures, portals, religious and symbolic motifs such as "the door of Being". The artist himself sometimes guides visitors, giving the visit a personal, meditative tone, closer to an artist's dwelling than to a conventional museum. People come here for the material, the sculptor's hand and the dialogue between the local stone and a spiritual inspiration.
A quiet visit, away from Metz
The museum stands at the Saint-Hubert hamlet in Malancourt-la-Montagne, about twenty minutes' drive north-west of Metz. It opens seasonally and within limited slots, so it is best to phone or check the official website before setting off, and to plan your visit ahead. The reward is a peaceful moment, far from the urban bustle, in contact with a stone that tells, in its own way, the story of the whole Metz region.
Infos pratiques
Adresse : Ecart St Hubert, 57360 Malancourt-la-Montagne
Questions fréquentes
What is Jaumont stone?
A golden limestone quarried at Malancourt-la-Montagne since antiquity. Nicknamed the "sun stone", it gives Metz's cathedral and façades their honeyed colour.
What is there to see at the museum?
The monumental, Romanesque-inspired work of sculptor Antoine Dyduch, carved from Jaumont stone: figures, portals and symbolic motifs. The artist sometimes leads the visit himself.
When and how can I visit?
The museum is at Malancourt-la-Montagne, outside Metz, and opens seasonally within limited slots (notably Sunday afternoons). Phone or check the official website before travelling.
