Illange lies on the right bank of the Moselle and has a landscape ranging from plateau to valley. Fort d’Illange was integrated into the Maginot Line in 1940.
When planning a stay in Illange, you may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Nature and Trails
The Charles the Bold cycle route runs through Illange and along the Moselle. Trails for walks have been created on the grounds of Fort d’Illange. The historical circular trail at Fort d’Illange is 2,200 metres long; the interiors of the buildings cannot be visited.
An educational area renovated in 2022 in Rue des Prés offers a sensory discovery trail. Illange’s sports complex, opened in 2024, offers a pump track, a multisport field, a fitness trail and fitness areas.
Culture and History
The Saint-Roch Chapel is a small chapel in the Gothic style. After being restored by village volunteers after the war, it acquired its present appearance in the 1960s. The chapel was converted into a cultural venue and hosts numerous exhibitions every year. It houses two polychrome-painted statues carved from limestone, dating from the 19th century: Saint Roch and Saint Wendelin; both are listed in the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage.
The Church of Saint Hubert in Illange is dedicated to Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters and foresters. The present church is a neo-Gothic building in the centre of Illange. Its foundation stone was laid on 24 March 1881, and the new church was consecrated on 26 October 1881.
During the consecration, a lead reliquary containing the significant relics of four martyrs – Saint Livier, Saint Valentinus, Saint Crescentius and Saint Innocentus – was placed in the high altar of the Church of Saint Hubert. Saint Livier was killed as a martyr in Metz. A painting of Christ from the Munich School was installed in the Church of Saint Hubert in 1889 and is now located above the altar. Of the three bells currently in use, one dates from the construction of the new church; the other two were cast in 1950 and replaced the bells requisitioned during the Second World War.
Near Illange, the large stone slabs of a Roman diverticulum become visible at low water levels in summer, close to the former course of the Moselle. The historic centre of Illange reflects the traditional structure of an agriculturally shaped village: with adjoining houses and pavements 3 to 7 metres wide. These are a legacy of the Usiors and were used to store wood and fertiliser in front of the properties. Viticulture shaped village life in Illange for almost 17 centuries.
Transport Connections
At the exit of Illange, there is access to the A31 motorway towards Metz and Luxembourg. Thionville railway station is 4 km away and can be reached by car in less than 10 minutes. There are also regular bus services.
Further destinations: Danne-Et-Quatre-Vents, Sarreguemines, La Maxe, Frauenberg, Metz, Grindorff-Bizing, Volstroff, Bousse.
