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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Church of Saint Lucia, located in the former village of Vallières (now integrated in Metz), is a Catholic building dedicated to Saint Lucia, patron saint of the blind. Its history dates back to at least the 11th century, with a first building whose tower-clocher, dated from the 12th century, still bears witness to Romanesque architecture. This two-storey tower is distinguished by its twin windows with full hangers and its ornamented capitals, characteristic of the period.

In the 12th century, the bell tower preserves elements typical of the Romanesque style, such as the arches stopping at the protruding edge of the abacus and the carved sills. The former choir, on the other hand, presents an ogival vault with curved veins, resting on consoles and pillars with rectangular capitals, one of which is decorated with trullies. These architectural details reveal a transition to the Gothic, especially visible in the panel vaults and the triumphal arch.

In 1760, the church underwent a major transformation according to the plans of architect Tellier: the choir was moved to the north, in the old cemetery, while the nave was enlarged and reoriented towards the south. These changes reflect the liturgical and urban needs of the time. Finally, the tower and the former choir were included in the additional inventory of historic monuments on 22 October 1991, recognizing their heritage value.

The building thus illustrates centuries of religious and architectural history, from its medieval origins to modern amenities. Its half-circular apis, located to the west, and the budding mouldings also recall the varied stylistic influences that marked its construction and transformations.

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