THE BRUCHE VALLEY
	Gateway to the Bruche valley, MUTZIG has a handful of treasures: the Jacobin head (on the church’s steeple), the 19th century German-built fort and the 17th century Rohan castle overlooking the city. With its amazing collection of arms from Klingenthal and Mutzig, the Rohan castle’s treasures are a reminder of the village’s prestigious past as the main arms manufacturer in France. From Mutzig, head on to OBERHASLACH and NIEDERHASLACH, both located in the Hasel valley. The charming village of GRENDELBRUCH (1770ft) offers wonderful views and is the starting point of numerous trails. One of them will lead you to a great destination: the Signal de Grendelbruch (2467 feet). The village’s history is connected to the history of the Guirbaden Castle, an astonishingly big fortress from the Middle Ages. Located in the heart of the Bruche valley, SCHIRMECK, a town full of life thanks to its businesses, represents an important center for economic activities along with the neighboring towns of La Broque, La Claquette and Rothau. STRUTHOF (Natzwiller) Here, the word "visiting" doesn't apply; "pilgrimage" is better. Unfortunately for the town of Natzwiller, the only Nazi concentration camp on French territory was located here: the Struthof camp. It was "established" in 1940/1941 and evacuated in September 1944. There are books that would tell you even more about this terrible period in history that some people are still trying to deny… The surrounding landscape seems too beautiful for a camp that has unfortunately been preserved exactly as it was during the War. Today, the Struthof camp serves as a memorial to fight any kind of depotism. FROM SCHIRMECK TO THE MOSELLE RIVER At the foot of Mount Donon, GRANDFONTAINE's past is connected to the history of the iron mines in Framont-Grandfontaine whose exploitation started in the 12th century. On your way to the top of Mount Donon, you will find only a few ruins of different temples. But on the summit, you'll uncover a Neo-Hellenistic "Temple" built under Napoleon III. Many legends are connected to this remarkable site. FROM THE "BAN DE LA ROCHE" TO THE "CHARBONNIERE PASS" Originally, the BAN DE LA ROCHE was a county encompassing nine villages around the Roche Castle. The region was strongly influenced by Jean-Frédéric Oberlin who came in 1767 to the parish of Waldersbach, one of the poorest villages in Alsace at that time. This protestant minister worked a lot to better the life of his parishioners: promoting education (he even started the first kindergarten classes), building roads, helping factories establish themselves there, enhancing agriculture methods… From Belmont, you can reach the CHAMP DU FEU (with its 66 feet high Belvedere Tower, 2.5 miles from Belmont, located on the highest point in the Department of the Bas-Rhin: 3609 feet). The Champ du Feu is also a ski resort for downhill and cross-country skiing. It’s also the starting point for many trails maintained by the Club Vosgien. And right next to it, the CHARBONNIERE PASS offers sport activities in any season. For more information on Petite Pierre and these sights, click here. Adaptation and Translation: Sarah BROSSART-TARDIVON

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