Les Vieux Métiers d'Azannes
The village of 80 old trades in Meuse
About Vieux Métiers d'Azannes
A life-size reconstructed village
In the heart of the Domaine des Roises, spread over 17 hectares of plain and forest, GEVO association volunteers have, over more than thirty years, built a true 19th-century Lorraine village. Twenty-five traditional houses, rebuilt stone by stone, house as many workshops where artisans practice their craft before the public: the forge rings under the blacksmith's hammer, the lace maker makes her bobbins dance, the baker puts his bread in the wood-fired oven, while the clog maker patiently carves beech wood.
Over 80 trades of yesteryear
Every Sunday the village is open, over 80 traditional trades are brought back to life thanks to the commitment of 400 costumed volunteers. Visitors wander freely from workshop to workshop to observe and chat with the artisans: tinsmith, tinner, woodturner, carpenter, saddler, spinner, milliner, basket maker, chair caner, and many more. Everyday trades are also represented: the washerwoman scrubs laundry at the washhouse, the oil miller presses walnuts, the miller operates the windmill — an emblematic piece of the site, rebuilt in 2003 on the site of a 1757 mill that belonged to the diocese of Verdun.
A story born of solidarity
The adventure began in 1985 in Grand-Failly, under the impetus of André Fauquenot. A few local artisans gathered to present their skills and raise funds for the construction of a memorial in honor of the 3,250 soldiers who fell at Bastogne in 1944. After a stop in Mangiennes in 1988, the festival settled in 1990 at the Domaine des Roises, an old farm surrounded by vast grounds. Since then, volunteers have continued to build, restore, and enrich this living heritage.
The great popular festival
The last Sunday of the summer season is traditionally the occasion for a great popular festival. Performers, equestrian shows, folk dances, old games, traditional music, and jugglers liven up the village. Local, Belgian, and Luxembourgish producers offer their specialties, transforming the Domaine des Roises into an open-air regional market. It is the highlight of the season, where Lorraine conviviality is fully expressed.
A place of transmission open to all
Beyond the Sundays open to the public, the Village des Vieux Métiers hosts school and educational trips throughout the year. Students discover ancestral gestures, handle tools, and participate in workshops led by volunteers. The Domaine des Roises also offers room rentals for weddings, seminars, and private events, in a unique natural and heritage setting in Lorraine.
Vieux Métiers d'Azannes — edition 2026
2026 Season of the Village des Vieux Métiers d'Azannes: eight opening days between May 3 and July 26, 2026, from 10 am to 6 pm, at Domaine des Roises. More than 400 costumed volunteers bring 80 19th-century trades back to life in 25 reconstructed Lorraine houses, 20 minutes from Verdun.
2026 Season: eight Sundays of Lorraine immersion
The Village des Vieux Métiers d'Azannes opens its doors for its new season starting on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The Sundays in May (3, 10, 17, and 24) are dedicated to La Fête des Vieux Métiers, complemented by an additional opening on Thursday, May 14, 2026 (Ascension Day). The season continues in July with the Estivales on Sundays, July 12, 19, and 26, 2026, which highlight 19th-century festive costumes.
Over 80 trades in demonstration
Each opening day, more than 400 costumed volunteers bring to life the 25 reconstructed Lorraine houses of the Domaine des Roises. Blacksmith, lacemaker, clog maker, baker at the wood-fired oven, miller at the windmill, washerwoman at the washhouse, oil maker, tile maker, basket weaver, weaver, wheelwright, saddler, tinsmith, woodturner, spinner, milliner, chair caner, glassblower, and many other artisans practice their ancestral skills before the public's eyes. Some invite visitors to try the technique: to become a blacksmith, lacemaker, or basket weaver for the duration of a workshop.
Traditional entertainment and games
Throughout the day, the village offers children's entertainment, games inspired by rural traditions (sack races, skill games), parades in period costumes, demonstrations of ancient agriculture and wheat threshing, as well as shows featuring draft horses. On-site catering (terrines, sausages, fries, crepes, waffles, sugar tarts, wood-fired bread) as well as a picnic menu at 20 € (or 25 € for two) complete the offer.
Closing on July 26, 2026
Sunday, July 26, 2026, marks the end of the season with the traditional grand popular festival of the Estivales. Local, Belgian, and Luxembourg producers transform the Domaine des Roises into an open-air local market.
Programme Vieux Métiers d'Azannes 2026
La Fête des Vieux Métiers — May 2026
- Sunday, May 3, 2026 — 10 am to 6 pm — Season opening
- Sunday, May 10, 2026 — 10 am to 6 pm
- Thursday, May 14, 2026 (Ascension Day) — 10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday, May 17, 2026 — 10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday, May 24, 2026 — 10 am to 6 pm — Spring festival closing
Les Estivales — July 2026
- Sunday, July 12, 2026 — 10 am to 6 pm — 19th-century festive costumes, enhanced demonstrations
- Sunday, July 19, 2026 — 10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday, July 26, 2026 — 10 am to 6 pm — Grand popular closing festival, market of Lorraine, Belgian, and Luxembourg producers
On each of the eight days: continuous demonstrations of over 80 traditional trades by 400 costumed volunteers (blacksmithing, lacemaking, clog making, baking, milling, tanning, glassblowing, basket weaving, weaving, washerwoman, oil maker, etc.), children's entertainment, old-fashioned rural games, costumed parades, on-site catering.
Highlights Vieux Métiers d'Azannes 2026
- 8 opening days in 2026: 4 Sundays in May + Thursday, May 14 (Ascension Day) + 3 Sundays in July
- Over 80 traditional trades presented by 400 costumed volunteers
- 25 reconstructed Lorraine houses across 17 hectares
- July Estivales: 19th-century festive costumes highlighted
- Grand closing festival on Sunday, July 26, 2026, with a cross-border local market
- Adult price 19 €, free for children under 16
Prices Vieux Métiers d'Azannes 2026
Practical information — Vieux Métiers d'Azannes
Access
The Village des Vieux Métiers is located at Domaine des Roises, 55150 Azannes-et-Soumazannes, about 20 minutes north of Verdun, in the Meuse department.
- By car: From Verdun, take the D903 towards Damvillers then follow the signs for « Vieux Métiers ». From Metz (approx. 1h15), take the A4 then the D903 via Étain. From Luxembourg (approx. 1h), take the N18 towards Longwy then Verdun. Free parking on site.
- By train: Nearest TGV station is Verdun or Montmédy station. No direct public transport to the site; a vehicle is recommended.
Opening dates
Sundays in May
The village opens its doors every Sunday in May and on Ascension Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In 2025: May 4, 11, 18, 25 and 29, and June 1. In 2026: May 3, 10, 17, 24 and Ascension Thursday, May 14.
July Estivales
Three Sundays in July are dedicated to the Estivales, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In 2025: July 13, 20, and 27. In 2026: July 12, 19, and 26.
Prices
- Adult: €18 (2025 price)
- Child under 16: free
- Online booking: possible on vieuxmetiers.com
Catering
Catering stands offer Lorraine specialties and local products on site on opening days. During the grand closing festival, local, Belgian, and Luxembourgish producers complete the gourmet offerings.
School trips
The village welcomes school groups all year round by reservation. Registration from September 2, by phone only.
Contact
- Phone: 03 29 85 60 62
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.vieuxmetiers.com
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Where does it take place — Vieux Métiers d'Azannes
Domaine des Roises — Village des Vieux Métiers
Domaine des Roises, 55150 Azannes-et-Soumazannes