The big
house - villey-saint-etienne
A former fortified house dating from the late Middle Ages (15th century), the Grosse Maison (Big House) is a notable architectural ensemble, predominantly Renaissance in style, featuring a magnificent dovecote from 1658, mullioned windows, and cellars in the basement, spread over two levels. A rectangular courtyard and three landscaped gardens offering superb views of the Moselle River complete the building: a secret garden (the parterre, a vast rectangle enclosed by high walls), a priest's garden (dating from after the French Revolution, still retaining its utilitarian character with vegetables, vines, fruit, and aromatic plants), and a school garden since the late 20th century. Over the centuries, the Grosse Maison has become the village's main building, successively serving as the "Provost's Residence" under Jean Raguet, canon of the Toul Cathedral chapter (1604), and other canons, as a property of the nobility, and finally as "National Property." Today, it houses the town hall's administrative offices and various cultural events. The village church is also fortified, featuring arrow slits (late 12th century). Every year, the Grosse Maison hosts various temporary exhibitions on an artistic theme during the summer months and opens its gardens and courtyard during the day.
