IV.

Economy

Lorraine is a leading agricultural region; dairy farming predominates, although an important wine-growing area is centred around Toul, in the Mosel Valley. Specialities of Lorraine include wild boar, quiche Lorraine (an open pastry filled with beaten eggs, pieces of bacon, and rich cream), sumptuous tarts, and fruit brandies. The region is rich in mineral deposits—iron ore is mined near Briey and Thionville; there is a large salt works at Dombasle-sur-Meurthe; and there are coalfields around the north-eastern town of Forbach, although the industry has significantly declined since the 1960s. The thermal spa town of Vittel is a popular tourist resort and local bottled mineral water is exported in large quantities.