{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox French commune |name = Fénétrange |commune status = Commune |image = F57 Fénétrange château Sarre.jpg |caption = The chateau overlooking the Saar river in Fénétrange |image coat of arms = Blason Fenetrange 57.svg |arrondissement = Sarrebourg-Château-Salins |canton = Sarrebourg |INSEE = 57210 |postal code = 57930 |mayor = Benoît Piatkowski<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=13 September 2022|language=fr}}</ref> |term = 2020–2026 |intercommunality = |coordinates = {{coord|48.8464|7.0205|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |elevation m = 240 |elevation min m = 227 |elevation max m = 317 |area km2 = 14.49 |population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}} |population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}} |population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}} }}
'''Fénétrange''' ({{IPA|fr|fenetʁɑ̃ʒ}}; {{Langx|de|Finstingen}}, Lorraine Franconian: ''Finschtinge'') is a commune in the Moselle department in Grand Est in north-eastern France.<ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/geographie/commune/57210-fenetrange Commune de Fénétrange (57210)], INSEE</ref>
== Geography == Fénétrange is located near the border between the Moselle department and the Alsace bossue. The river Saar flows through Fénétrange. The municipality is part of the Lorraine regional natural park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Park map |url=https://www.pnr-lorraine.com/agir/observer-nos-actions/la-carte-du-parc/ |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=Parc naturel régional de Lorraine}}</ref>
== Etymology == The name refers to "dwellings on the edge of a bend".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bullet |first=Jean-Baptiste |title=Mémoire sur la langue celtique |year=1754–1760 |location=Besançon (France) |pages=253 |language=fr}}</ref> Its Latin name is Philestangia. It was Germanised into Vinstingen, and francized into Fénétrange.
=== Previous names === Filestengas (<abbr>10th century</abbr>), Filistenges et Vinstringen (1070), Philistingis (1136), Phylestanges (1222), Finstingen (1323), Vinstingen (1328), Vinstinga (1340), Fenestranges (1433), Phinstingen (1558), Vinstringium (1675), Fénétrange (1793), Fénestrange (<abbr>19th century</abbr>), Finstingen (1871–1918)
== History == The name of Fénétrange was officially mentioned for the first time on 18 September 1070. More precisely in a document authorising the abbesses of Remiremont, who partly owned the domain, to mint coins in Fénétrange, in exchange for the payment of a fee.<ref>Guy Trendel'', Découverte de Fénétrange: la cité forte...'' (in French)</ref>
In 1224, Merbode de Malberg became the first lord of Fénétrange.
During the Middle-Age, it used to be a fortified town reputed to be impregnable.
== Sights == * The Fénétrange castle, built during the Middle Age. It was later renovated during the 18th century.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1992 |title=Château |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/PA00106761 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=POP : la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine}}</ref> The building contains a medieval kitchen,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Château de Fénétrange |url=https://www.tourism-lorraine.com/see-do/visits/sites-and-monuments/848141191-chateau-de-fenetrange-fenetrange |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=Lorraine Tourisme}}</ref> a well,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Aile nord-est, détail du puits |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/memoire/AP12R039088 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=POP : la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine}}</ref> spiral stairs labelled "monument historique".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000 |title=escalier hélicoïdal |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/palissy/PM57000570 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=POP : la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine}}</ref> It also contains a catholic gothic chapel constructed in 1584.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Chapelle castrale, vue partielle |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/memoire/AP12R039087 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=POP : la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine}}</ref> * The Saint-Rémy gothic collegiate church. It was labelled "monument historique" in 1930.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Eglise Saint-Rémy |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/PA00106762 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=POP : la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine}}</ref> * The former synagogue * The Lutheran Church * The remains of the ramparts * The former Bailiff's House * The "Porte de France", an ancient fortified gate * Oriel windows, located 78, rue de l'Hôpital and 35, rue des Juifs are labelled "monuments historiques".<ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Hôpital |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/PA00106763 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=POP : la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Immeuble |url=https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/PA00106764 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=POP : la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine}}</ref> * The bridge <gallery> File:Eglise Fenetrange.JPG|Saint-Remy Church. File:Fénétrange, château.jpg|The castle File:HOPITAL FENETRANGE.JPG|Oriel window located Rue de l'Hôpital File:Fénétrange porte de France.JPG|Porte de France </gallery>
== Cultural events and festivities == Since 1978, an annual music and gastronomy festival takes place in Fénétrange. It is known as "Festival de Fénétrange, musique et gastronomie"
Fénétrange is one of the few French localities where a night watchman still exists, thus perpetuating a medieval tradition. From July to September, the visitors can follow the watchman, in his medieval attire, during his night patrol.
Every year, from late November to early January, several winter festivities occur in Fénétrange. One of them, is the traditional Christmas market.
== Notable people ==
=== Notable people born in Fénétrange === * Johann Maria Philipp Frimont (1759–1831) a general of the Austrian Empire * Charles Hyacinthe Leclerc de Landremont (1739–1818) commander in chief of the Army of the Rhine during the French Revolution * Ernst Bogislaw von Croÿ (1620–1684) the last duke of Pomerania
=== Notable people related to Fénétrange ===
* Charles Philippe de Croÿ (1549–1613) a Prince of the Holy Empire and a military as well as a politician from the Southern Netherlands. He became Baron of Fénétrange when he married Diane de Dommartin. * Marcel Dassault (1892–1986) a French engineer and industrialist, whose family originally came from Fénétrange * Johann Michael Moscherosch (1601–1669) a German statesman, writer and one of Fénétrange's former bailiffs.
== See also == * Communes of the Moselle department * Parc naturel régional de Lorraine
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links == * {{commons category-inline|Fénétrange}}
{{Moselle communes}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fenetrange}} Category:Communes of Moselle (department) Category:Duchy of Lorraine