Épinal - La Moselle

Epinal, located on the Moselle river, celebrated the "millennium" of existence in 1983, but the year 983 is a bit mythical. It is known, that Dietrich I, the Bishop of Metz, had a castle and monastery built to protect the south of his holdings, which was being attacked by Burgundian marauders.

At that time the city of Remiremont (about 30kms south) was Burgundian. The bishop donated to the monastery the relics of Saint Goëry. The relics have been the subject of numerous pilgrimages that have contributed to the economic development of the city.

The church and the monastery were consecrated in honor of Saint Maurice and Saint Goëry.

In 1444, the town of Épinal was still part of the dominion of the bishops of Metz, but the city officials took advantage of King Charles VII's visit to Nancy to offer him the city's submission in return for asking for his protection. The king promises never to alienate the city, but Louis XI. gives way to the Marshal of Burgundy in 1465-47 and eventually Épinal came under the tutelage of the Duke of Lorraine.