Village remarquable d'Hattonchâtel

Built on a rocky spur, Hattonchâtel was fortified in the 9th century by Hatton, Bishop of Verdun, after whom it was named. The citadel was destroyed in 1634 by order of Richelieu. An American benefactress, Miss Skinner, helped restore the architectural heritage damaged during the First World War. In the village, note the Maison à la voûte (12th and 14th centuries) at the entrance to the village, the maison aux arcades, the washhouse (rebuilt in 1921), the calvary (16th century), the church with its stained-glass windows by Jacques Grüber, the 14th-century cloister (of which only a gallery remains), the chapel portal (also 14th century) and, of course, the château. The Gothic altarpiece, attributed to the Sammiellois sculptor Ligier-Richier, dates from 1523. This triptych, located in the cloister, is considered one of the sculptor?s most remarkable works.
The château was built around 860 for the bishop of Verdun. It was remodeled in the 14th and 16th centuries. Severely damaged during the First World War, it was rebuilt between 1923 and 1928 for Miss Skinner. The château retains some of its original features, including the western moat, the arch of the main gate, part of the north wall and the low level of the south façade of the main building. It overlooks the Woëvre plain and offers an exceptional viewpoint.

In 2023, Hattonchâtel was selected for the "Le village préféré des Français" (the French people's favorite village) program, broadcast on France 3 and presented by Stéphane Bern, and came in a fine 5th place (out of 14 villages in the competition)!