Lotharingia originated as the realm of Emperor Lothair I, who inherited Middle-Francia from Charlemagne. The region once stretched from the North Sea to the Alps and wielded immense cultural influence. Today, the vestiges of Lotharingia form a much smaller borderland region between the French and German-speaking worlds. Centuries of cultural exchange, border changes, and wars create a distinct identity visible in the architecture, landscape, and food.
Select a Region to Explore in Detail
Ducal Bar
The Duchy of Bar straddled two different political worlds. They were functionally autonomous for centuries as a voting member of the Imperial Reichstag and a Royal Fief of the French Crown. We owe most of what we see today to the Bishops of Verdun and the prolific Dukes of Lorraine, who filled the region with castles and palaces.
Lorraine
Lorraine originated as the realm of Emperor Lothair I, who inherited Middle-Francia from Charlemagne. Though always part of the French cultural sphere, the Holy Roman Empire guaranteed its independence for centuries. This independence characterizes much of what we see today, from its regional cooking to its elaborate baroque cityscapes.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg sits at a strategic intersection of the French and German-speaking worlds. Indeed, by the 19th century, it was one of Europe’s most heavily fortified regions. At the center of European conflict for centuries, the region is a distinctive combination of German, French, and Walloon, offering a glimpse into a more multi-cultural past and the nation-state of the future.
Saarland
Representing the small portion of ancient Lotharingia to remain in the German sphere of influence is the Saarland. The rugged Palatine Highlands isolate the region from Germany, resulting in a small territory with a significant French influence. Traveling through Saarland is a unique experience through one of the few borderlands to retain its local identity.
