Jœuf is a town in Meurthe-et-Moselle, in the Grand Est region, 25 km north-west of Metz.
Its vast territory of only 3 km² belongs to the historic region of the Pays Haut, formed from the north of Meurthe-et-Moselle, the Meuse and the Moselle, along the Belgian and Luxembourg borders to the north, and bordering to the east of the areas annexed by Germany from 1871 to 1919 and from 1940 to 1944.
Crossed by the course of the Orne, it is highly urbanized (more than 65% of its area if we takes industrial zones into account), nevertheless covered by forests to the north.
Former stronghold of the bishopric of Metz then a village dependent on the province of Barrois, Jœuf, which had been formed in the Middle Ages around a hermitage, experienced rapid development in the 1870s thanks to the development of the steel industry. Managed by the De Wendel family, its blast furnaces produce rails for the railway. The last units closed in the early 2000s. In the meantime, the city has counted up to more than 10,000 inhabitants. Its face still reflects its past (workers' housing estates, collective and cultural facilities). In full change, the city, where 6,600 inhabitants still live, highlights its sports, "nature" and cultural leisure activities, and benefits from the dynamism of the Greater Region (Luxembourg, Moselle, German Saar).
The city has a heritage of interest. In addition to a hypogeum (Gallo-Roman funerary monument) and the monument to the dead of the First War, in limestone and granite, depicting a woman laying flowers, work of sculptor René Rozet, both listed in the Inventory, the castles of the De Wendel family are worth a look: the first dates from 1895, built for the father, Henri, and includes a chapel, and the second (known as the Château de Brouchetière) was built for the son, Maurice, in the park of the first. They are imposing and neoclassical in style, reflecting the prosperity of these blacksmiths.
The village hall, still in service, the statue of the Virgin of Haut de Villers, as well as the schools and workers 'housing estates (small houses with gardens) perfectly bear witness to the town planning of the workers' towns built at the turn of the 20th century.
The same goes for religious heritage: see the parish church of L'Exaltation-de-la-Sainte-Croix, rebuilt in 1878 and enlarged between 1924 and 1942, and the church of Notre-Dame- de-Franchepré, in the Génibois district, built in the 20th century for the inhabitants of the city by the De Wendel family. On the other hand, nothing remains of the medieval hermitage which bordered the Orne and which was razed to allow the extension of the metallurgical factories in the 19th century.
On the cultural level, the Forges media library regularly schedules events (meetings, exhibitions, workshops): information on +33 3 82 22 79 58. In addition, shows (theater, concerts) are organized at the François de Curel room (contact on +33 3 82 22 12 38) and the Casino cinema classified "Art et Essay", managed by the MJC, offers quality films (price: 5 euros): information on +33 3 82 22 97 22.
For sports, the Platini complex in the northeast of the city (the family of the football champion is from the town) is very complete in terms of facilities, most of which are accessible to visitors. This is the case of the swimming pool (price from 3 to 4 euros, information on +33 3 82 22 21 24), the synthetic field, tennis courts (to be reserved on +33 9 61 33 29 69). It may also be interesting to join the Nature MTB club outings: contact +33 3 82 21 11 96. Canoe trips on the course of the Orne are also possible in summer: inquire at +33 9 77 77 32 33.
For walkers and hikers (on foot or on two-wheelers), a greenway follows the course of the Orne for about twenty kilometers. Thematic paths have also been developed for historical and memorial purposes ("War of 1870", "Memory of the deportation and the Resistance" during the Second War). Finally, routes connect the town to large-scale trails such as the GR of Metz-Madine or allow for example to reach Luxembourg. Maps and information on +33 9 77 77 32 33.
Every Friday morning, the market and its hundreds of traders allow you to appreciate the terroir and the gastronomy of Lorraine.
The last weekend of April, the Printemps de la chanson française festival.
At Pentecost, over three days "Feast of the Crayfish and the Frog" in the hall and in the park of Curel with shows, exhibitions, fun activities and musical fireworks.
On Whit Monday, Big Sale of the basketball club.
