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Running in Thionville: in the land of the Three Borders

Located a few kilometers from the borders of Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium, Thionville is in the heart of Europe. Formerly a mining and steel-making town, the sub-prefecture of Moselle today draws its wealth from its privileged geographical situation. Sometimes German, sometimes Luxembourgish, sometimes French, Thionville has had an eventful history. From these changes, the city has been enriched by a heritage as unique as it is varied. Discover its streets and emblematic buildings with JOOKS, thanks to the four routes proposed by the town!




View of the city from the pont des Alliés

Thionville is the second largest city in Moselle in terms of population and has many surprises in store. From the fortress of the Counts of Luxembourg to the blast furnaces of the ironworks, the city takes you on a journey through time. It is mentioned for the first time under the name of Theodonis villa in the 8th century, following the passage of Pepin the Short in this patrimonial domain. The fiefdom passed into the hands of the Counts of Luxembourg in the 10th century, and then was ceded to France by the Treaty of the Pyrenees, 600 years later. Thionville changed hands several times during the various conflicts that took place in Europe.


In the heart of the historic district


From its medieval past, the city preserves many vestiges. Your walk will take you from the foot of the Tour aux Puces, whose museum houses collections ranging from prehistory to the Renaissance, to the rue brûlée, which owes its circular shape to the ramparts that surrounded the city.



The city center also contains treasures from the Renaissance to the 19th century. You will be able to admire the belfry, which houses the big bell of Thionville, or the Saint-Maximin church where there is a remarkable organ, one of the most beautiful in Europe.


The Saint-Maximin church

From the second half of the 19th century, the Thionville area was the scene of several conflicts that marked its landscape and its borders. The first of these conflicts was the Franco-Prussian war which took place in 1870. After a siege and a terrible bombardment that caused significant destruction, Thionville officially became German. The two World Wars were also the cause of many developments, in particular with the creation of the Maginot Line and its fortifications.



The iron metropolis


The U4 blast furnace, now rehabilitated and open to the public

After the Second World War, Thionville bounced back and experienced strong growth thanks to the development of the steel industry. This economic boom lasted until the end of the "Trente Glorieuses".


Remains of this industrial past are still visible today and mark the landscape of the region. Dominating the Thionville area, the U4 blast furnace, listed as a historical monument, is a symbol of the Fensch Valley's steelmaking heritage. More than twenty years after its closure, the blast furnace is now open to the public.


City of nature


Located on the banks of the Moselle, Thionville offers a privileged living environment to its inhabitants. Your run or walk will take you to discover the many parks, gardens and green spaces that make the charm of the city.



The banks of the Moselle river

In order to help you discover or rediscover the town and its surroundings, the municipality has created about 40 walking trails. For the sporty ones, you can also walk along the Voie Bleue, a 700 kilometer cycling route stretching from Apach, on the Luxembourg border, to Lyon.



Find all the routes of the city of Thionville on the JOOKS application.



Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the Belfry to the Tour des puces!




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