Ownership of Lorraine has been a contentious issue for centuries; as a consequence, there are many military-related tourist sites, including the now-peaceful citadel of Montmédy in the north of the département.

By far the most notorious military-related site, however, is Verdun, scene of the bloodiest battle in history, and now home to the The World Centre for Peace. The Battle of Verdun (1916) is commemorated by the 46-metre Douaumont monument, in the form of a missile, which contains the bones of 130,000 unidentified soldiers, in addition to the scores of thousands of bodies buried in the outlying land. The battle lasted for ten months, and completely destroyed nine villages.

Another important visit is la Citadelle, kilometres of underground galleries dug late in the 19th century to accommodate 2,000 soldiers. During WWI the galleries were further enlarged to include facilities such as an infirmary and accommodation for 10,000 men. Other sites of remembrance are the Vaux fort, the scene of an appalling six-day battle between French and German troops during WWI.

Less harrowing attractions abound in the département, however: for instance, in the north of the Département is the European Beer Museum at Stenay, in an adapted malt-house. It tells the story of brewing in Lorraine with impressive displays of equipment and advertising material.

Of course, quiche is Lorraine's most famous export, but many other local specialities are to be sniffed out and enjoyed, particularly desserts based on red fruits. You should also try Ambroseille, a delicious drink made from redcurrants.

Commercy is considered the home of the madeleine: it is supposed to have been served to the Polish King Stanislas in the 18th century, when a servant named Madeleine quickly rescued a meal after the chef resigned. The madeleines are shell-shaped in reference to the pilgrims who passed through the town on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

Also in the north of the départment is the église Notre-Dame in Avioth, one of the most important architectural specimens in the region, in a village of just 300 inhabitants. The church has been a site for pilgrimages for more than 800 years, and is noteworth for both its imposing exterior and finely crafted interior.