Lorraine is one of the 26 régions of France and the only region that borders three other countries: Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. Within France, Lorraine borders Franche-Comté, Alsace, and Champagne-Ardenne.
In German, the Lorraine region is known as Lothringen. The name is derived from the Lotharingia, the name of a short-lived Medieval kingdom in the region.
Lorraine has since long been a crossroad between several nations and it has played a vital role in the history of Europe throughout the centuries. It is connected by several rivers, most notably the rivers Rhine, Meuse, Moselle, and Meurthe.
Lorrain is also famous for its many traditional dishes, such as Quiche Lorraine, Pâté Lorrain, and Potée lorraine. Pâté lorrain consists of chopped pork and veal which is flavoured with local white vine and than baked inside puff pastry. Potée lorraine is a rustic stew where sausages and smoked meats are cooked together with root vegetables and cabbage. Since the 15th century, potatoes have been included in Potée lorraine.
The famous Quiche Lorraine consists of eggs, cream, bacon and lardons. Unlike many other French quiches, it contains no cheese. If you add onion to a Quiche Lorraine, it becomes a Quiche Alsacienne.
Typical Lorraine deserts will often feature mirabelle plum, the emblematic fruit of Lorraine.
