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Regions of Alsace
Vosges montains
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THE NORTHERN VOSGES REGIONAL PARK RESERVE
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This vast region, named "Réserve de la biosphère" in 1998 by a UNESCO-supported program, is composed of more than 120,000 hectares spreading over two regions: Alsace and Lorraine. Far from being just a "natural reserve" or an "amusement park", the Northern Vosges Regional Park is a place where economic and tourist activities and protection of the environment are two equal priorities. Beautiful landscapes, arts and crafts, natural treasures, a warm welcome... Take a deep breath of fresh air in Petite-Pierre.
Petite Pierre, literally "Little Rock", rhymes with "happiness" in French, and that is exactly what you'll feel here. This Vosges country is a little piece of paradise, a haven of peace in the heartland of Mother Nature. That has to be the reason why numerous Alsatian city dwellers come here regularly for a breath of fresh air and gourmet delights.
The perfect starting point for a hike or drive, the city of Petite Pierre itself also has many sights to see. |
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The "Château de la Petite-Pierre" was built in the 9th century, restored in the 12th century, and then fortified by Vauban in 1680. This castle also houses the Center for the Northern Vosges Regional Park and several exposition halls. The Seals of Alsace Museum is located in the former Saint Louis Chapel, built for the garnisonned Catholic soldiers from 1683-1684. The "Héraldisme et sigillographie" exposition presents various seals, castings, coats of arms and oriflammes which evoke the life during the Feudal Period.
It's fascinating! In a former artillery store, the Arts & Traditions Museum presents a collection of different models for the famous Alsatian Cake pan, the "springerle". The Pagan House with Renaissance-style architecture was built in 1534 on the site of an ancient Roman look-out tower. And at the time of the Celts, Petite Pierre was already well-known as a "Mecca" in Alsace for magical and sacred ceremonies.
For more information : click here.
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THE SAUER AND STEINBACH VALLEYS, COUNTRY OF FORTIFIED CASTLES
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In these valleys located in the outermost parts of Alsace, you will find a little piece of paradise. With its abundant greenery and the houses that spot the countryside, it’s picture-perfect! Seperated by a couple of kilometers, the towns of NIEDERSTEINBACH and OBERSTEINBACH are excellent starting points for discovering remains of fortified castles.
The "border" town seperating the Vosges Mountains and the German Palatinate, Obersteinbach itself has the Fortified Castle Museum. Situated on a needle-shaped rock, the ruins of the PETIT ARNSBERG castle seem to hang over the town. In about 15 minutes from Obersteinbach, you can reach the LUTZELHARDT castle.
Not far from the Lutzelhardt, you will come across the "JUDENHUBEL" boulder. |
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The name due to its curious shape: the hat the Jewish population had to wear in the Middle Ages. You can also visit the FLEKENSTEIN castle (see "Lembach"). Also starting in Obersteinbach, a road will take you along the GOETZENBERG Mountain (also known as the "pagan mountain" with traces from the Neolithic Age) and will lead you to the WASIGENSTEIN castles.
But before the castles, don't miss the ZIGEUNERFELSEN, the "Gypsys' rock". The legend goes that in the 18th century the gypsy gangs hid out here after terrorizing various village populations. One day, however, these villagers fight back and, having trapped the bandits up against this rock, burn them alive.
For more information : click here.
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THE MOSSIG HIGH VALLEY - The Alsatian Switzerland
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The "Alsatian Switzerland" name applies perfectly to this paradise where nature and walking trails are boss, where the villages of ENGENTHAL-WANGENBOURG delight at the foot of the Schneeberg Massif. If you desire a healthy rejuvination through horse riding, mountain biking, fishing or fitness circuits, jump over to Wangenbourg. Right after the church, an old linden tree indicates the road that leads to the enormous boulder where the ruins (13th & 14th centuries) lie in peace.
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On the SOMMET DU SCHNEEBERG (960m or 3200ft), you will find the "Lottelfels" rock possessing so many legends. The village of OBERSTEIGEN and its clearing offer an ideal setting for a refreshing weekend. Numerous marked trails will lead you to the waterfall, the Fountain of Zeigbach, the Pine Forest and much, much more. Not far from the COL DU VALSBERG, the Saint-Martin Rock once had the "power", so its said, to make women fertile...
For more information: click here.
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THE MONT SAINTE-ODILE
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A favored summit throughout 6000 years of history, the Mont Sainte-Odile is a site of beauty and light. A place of well-known pilgrimages and intense meditation, Mont Sainte-Odile is the most visited place in Alsace, after Haut-Koenigsbourg... It is, therefore, more difficult today than years before to find quiet and solitude favorable for spiritual reflection in this sacred enclosure. Set 761m (2496ft) high up in the mountains, Mont Sainte-Odile is a very original convent with its own hotel, restaurants, snack bars, souvenir shops, spring and view... A wonderful view over the Plain of Alsace, a view that goes all the way to the ridge of the Black Forest on the other side of the Rhine River, in Germany. It is also the starting point for many magnificant hikes among stones, springs, trees and effects of light found in the Vosges Mountains.
Starting in 1930, Mont Sainte-Odile was restored by the architect, R. Danis, who was also in charge of the restoration of Mont Saint Michel. The actual abbey no longer has many of the vestiges of the original convent. However, the plans of the convent allow you to better understand how the land imposed certain constraints during various phases of the abbey's construction. The large courtyard is impressive.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the 17th century church has had certain parts of its Romanesque edifice preserved. In the cloister, the actual tea salon is located on the premises of the former refectory. In the "chapelle de la Croix", or the Cross Chapel, dating back to the 12th century, you will find numerous tombs (according to experts, dating back to the 9th and 11th century), including those of Adalric and Bereswinde, Saint Odile's parents. The Sainte-Odile Chapel deserves all our attention since it holds the stone coffin of the founding abbey mother. The relics of Saint Odile have been authentified.
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The Pagan wall
After Mont Sainte-Odile and after climbing the stairway, you will come upon the path that goes along the Pagan Wall, "le mur païen". This particularly impressive construction dates very likely back to the Celtic Age. With a thickness of 1.70m (5,5ft) and 3m (10ft) high in the tallest parts, the Pagan Wall is composed of enormous blocks and continues along for about 10 kilometers (6,2mi). To walk completely along the wall would take a couple of hours. On the other hand, the walk would allow you to discover traces of ancient cults from the time period of the druids. For example, dolmens as well as ruins of the Dreistein and Hagelschloss medieval castles.
The Legend of Mont Sainte-Odile
Numerous legends exist about the patron saint of Alsace, Saint Odile. We will tell you the most widely known story today. Little Odile, daughter of the Duke Adalric, is born blind. Furious for not having a son and angered by his daughter's disability, Odile's father disowns her. Her mother, Bererswinde, entrusts the baby to an abbey mother whom she knows. When the child is baptized, she miraculously gains her eyesight. She grows up among the nuns and becomes a pious and educated young woman. One day, Odile wants to see her father again, and her brother, Hugo, thinks this meeting would be a good idea. The furious Duke Adalric kills his son in a fit of anger. Afterwards, he regrets his actions and decides to welcome back his daughter not without commiting another error. Adalric tries to force her to marry, whereas she was dreaming of offering her life to God. Remorseful again in 680, the repentant Adalric offers to his daughter the "Château de Hohenbourg" and other possessions so that she can fulfill her vocation. Odile founds the first Alsatian convent for women where she lives a saintly life all while working wonders tied to the disability with which she was born. Saint Odile dies at the abbey in 720.
For more information : click here.
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THE BRUCHE VALLEY
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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.
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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" TOTHE "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 : click here.
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THE HAUT-KOENIGSBOURG CASTLE
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The Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle is an important site in Alsace for many different reasons: as the most visited site in Alsace, as the destination for many splendid hikes, for its historical importance and its medieval banquets.
This gigantic fortified castle is very impressive at 757 meters (2498ft) up in the mountains. From the terraces of the castle, the view is one of the most beautiful possible from the Vosges Mountains. Its immensity as well as its mystery along with the very beautiful forest and mountain surroundings make this place very desirable. |
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As such, Haut-Koenigsbourg was victim to many struggles. By 1899, it was nothing but a beautiful poetic ruin.
Guillaume II bought it in this state and restored the castle. Although the architect consulted numerous historical documents, his resurrection of the castle is often criticized. In addition to those who had found the ruins simply to be romantic, there were many who found the restoration pretentious. Hansi went as far to say the spirit of the place had been chased out. However, the castle remains an important and beautiful monument at the very center of Alsace.
For more information : click here.
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THE VILLE VALLEY
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Looking to get off the beaten path? Full of life, the Villé Valley is your answer. Shared between the Alsace and Lorraine Regions, the Villé Valley speaks two different dialects: the "Patois" and the Alsatian dialects. Like the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines Valley, this valley's history revolves around the ore mining and textile industries. As for the "eau-de-vie" production, it's still active and the jewel of the valley. Let's discover this wonderful valley dotted with little villages, starting in Thanvillé and ending in Saales.
FROM THANVILLE TO "COL DE SAALES"
(coming from Sélestat)
THANVILLE possesses a beautiful Renaissance-style castle (today private property) built on the site of the former Dukes of Lorraine fortress and restored in 1663 after being destroyed in 1632. |
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From Thanvillé you can reach the Bernstein Massif and the ruins of the former fortified castle. In NEUBOIS, the Saint Maurice Church has been for a long time a shrine for the Virgin Mary who has appeared here several times. In DIEFFENBACH-AU-VAL, the country-style church dates back to the 18th century.
In NEUVE-EGLISE, the church dating back to the Romans and touched up in the 18th century contains a baroque altar. Destroyed during the Thirty Year War, the city of VILLE contains numerous buildings dating back to the 18th century (the Church of the Assumption, 1757). Native of Villé, René Kuder, the painter in watercolors, painted in 1932 the church's frescoes. Housed in ALBE's former city hall, you will find the Maison du Val de Villé, a museum of art and culture dedicated to distilling and weaving.
For more information : click here.
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LE HOHWALD
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The Hohwald possesses a privileged location: encircled by the Wine Road, Andlau, Mont Sainte-Odile and Champ du Feu. You just need to come here once to understand why everyone raves on about this little ski station!
Surrounded by mountains, forest, farmhouses in the middle of wide prairies, waterfalls, this is the perfect vacation spot with it cross-country skiing trails, ski lifts, the luge track, numerous marked trails and, last but not least, the Sequoia Park. |
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All this contributes to Le Hohwald's popularity: a rallying point for many Alsatians on the weekends. Inside the Catholic church, you will come across the altar that originally comes from the Neubourg Abbey.
For more information : click here.
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THE SILVER VALLEY
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The city of LA VANCELLE is the gateway to the Silver Valley and the starting point for various trails through the Villé Valley, especially the trail that will take you to the ruins of the Frankenbourg castle. From LIEPVRE you can reach TAENNCHEL, a superb mountain with rocks that look exactly like castle ruins (numerous marked trails will lead you to places like the Reptile Rock, the Three-Table Rock, the Titanic Rock, or the Udine Peace Rock…). The archaeological site in SAINTE CROIX AUX MINES allows you to imagine the activity at the Samson silver mine in the 16th century.
At the end of the 19th century Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines was a flourishing and rich city in a privileged cultural environment. |
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At the beginning of the 20th century, the textile industry replaced the mining industry in the Vosges Mountains. Following the "Historic Circuit", you can visit the Mineralogy Museum, the Textile Museum and the Mining Heritage Museum. If you want to understand this subject better, you can visit the silver mine in Saint-Barthélémy dating back to the 16th century, the silver mine in Saint-Louis-Eisenthûr from the 16th century where the mining techniques from the Renaissance are presented. The new botanical and mining path (2.5 miles or about 2 1/2 hours) allows you, leaving from "La Goutte des Pommes" to discover different sites.
For more information : click here.
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THE ORBEY VALLEY
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In this quiet valley, the "Welche" is spoken, a dialect close to the Vosges dialect. The pleasant villages, the natural surroundings, the prairies and the Alsatian Vosges Mountains were surely created solely for decorating the great trails...
Well-known for curing with its quietness and fresh air, TROIS EPIS possesses a priveleged location 658m (1900ft). The name of this village, literally "three blades of grain", originates from a particular legend...which has resulted in perpetual adoration of the Holy Sacrament in the local 15th century church.
Before arriving in ORBEY, don't miss LABAROCHE where you can have an awesome view of the valley or enjoy a nice walk in the village. In ORBEY, Madame Suzanne Laurent awaits you at the Orbey Valley Museum: a wonderful collection of Orbey's arts, culture and history through the Pairis Abbey's history (destroyed during the Revolution). After Orbey, our next stop: the LINGE MEMORIAL. A World War I historical battle field contains well-preserved German defenses and ruins of French trenches. Not far from MOUNT LINGE in WETTSTEIN, 2146 souls of French soldiers rest in peace in the Chasseurs (Hunters) Military Cemetery. |
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From the Wettstein Pass, you can see the summit of the Linge, just like the French hunters from 1914 to 1918.
Make a little detour before heading on to Lapoutroie. The mountain-side town of FRELAND has a wealth of museums: the WELCH HOUSE (presenting the arts and culture of this Welch country), the FORGE MUSEUM and the MUSEUM OF RELIGIOUS ARTS.
THE LAKES
The charm of the Orbey Valley comes from the incredible natural surroundings: Le Bonhomme and Le Bonhomme Pass, White Lake, Black Lake, Devin Pond, Schlucht Pass, Green Lake, Forlet Lake (a.k.a. Trout Lake)... And the best part of all, these natural wonders are accessible by various trails marked by the Club Vosgien.
For more information : click here.
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THE FLORIVAL REGION
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Gateway to the Florival Region and the Lauch Valley, GUEBWILLER was already a prosperous city in the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, the city suffered setbacks due to the birth of industrialization. Don’t miss the Gothic City Hall (1514), the Neo-gothic collegiate Notre-Dame Church (1760-1785), the Roman Saint-Léger Church and the Florival Museum, housed in a beautiful 18th century building and containing a remarkablecollection of ceramics by Théodore Deck (19th C.).
In SOULTZ, you can leisurely stroll through the narrow streets and discover the town’s beautiful architecture. Don’t miss the "Nef des Jouets" (the Nave of Toys) in the former Saint-Jean Church of the Order of Malta. The recently renovated church contains a marvelous private collection of ancient and modern toys brought together throughout the years by a couple of passionate people. |
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You can also visit the Gothic Saint-Maurice Church, with its 17th century tower, that possesses a real 1750 Silbermann organ. Check out the various collections in the Bucheneck Museum, housed in an ancient fortified building.
In BUHL, the church possesses a superb three-paneled painting that was designed and realized around 1500 for the Catherinette Convent in Colmar. West of Buhl, the remarkable abbey-church in MURBACH is enough proof of the power and importance of this Benedictine abbey throughout six centuries. At the peak of its power in the 12th and 13th centuries, the abbey was founded in 727 by Saint Firmin with Count Eberhard’s support.
For more information : click here.
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THE THUR VALLEY AND THE DOLLER VALLEY
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Heavily hit during the two world wars, the village of CERNAY has protected, thanks to the "Porte de Thann" and the fortification ruins, its history. Before continuing onto Thann, you will go through Wattwiller on the way to VIEIL ARMAND, the first summit on the Mountain Ridge Road, "la Route des Crêtes". In a superb setting, the impressive National Monument of the "Hartmannswillerkopf" towers over a crypt that contains the bones of 12,000 unknown soldiers from the 1914-1918 War. In the National Cemetery, 1260 white crosses are lined up.
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The Doller River and its limpid water, with little or no calcium, has played an important role in the development of the textile industry in the Mulhouse Region.
The "Jeux de la Passion", literally the Games of the Passion, and the organ concerts (on a superb Kern organ) given in the church are the pride and joys of the charming city of MASEVAUX. Practically on the border of the "Belfort Territory", Masevaux plays an influential role in the Doller Valley. The Alsatian Virgin, an impressive statue about 10m (33ft) high, overlooks the village of NIEDERBRUCK.
For more information : click here.
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THE "BALLONS" VOSGES MOUNTAINS
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THE "BALLONS" VOSGES MOUNTAIN NATURAL RESERVE spreads over various summits in four departments: the "Haut-Rhin", the "Territoire de Belfort", the "Vosges" and the "Haute-Saône". This region not only offers softly-rounded green mountains and steep rocky slopes but also shelters a preserved flora and fauna. Its dynamism is linked to agriculture, industry, and tourism. The park's vocation, far from its nature reserve vocation, is to consolidate an harmonious environment where the protection of the natural milieu uses the intermediary of economic activities. Strolls, hiking, VTT, downhill skiing...
Here, nature is fortifying and sovereign. The various landscapes of fields, forests and lakes are exceptional. The way of life in this area is a little peculiar. Among the fields and on the field-plateaux, you can come across "marcairies". Some have long since been turned into bed and breakfasts. |
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During the transhumances, the farmers would lead the herds around these "marcairies". The "Ballons" Vosges Mountains are criss-crossed by 6,000km (3720mi) of paths created by the "Club Vosgien"!
THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE ROAD
If the stroller thinks that this road was traced to allow people to better appreciate the landscape, he/she hasn't heard the real story. This path that helps visitors discover the "Hautes-Vosges" Mountains was created by the French during the 1914-1918 War. This strategic road follows very closely the mountain ridge. Today, it is more ecological and less tactical. This road allows the visitor to discover lakes, mountain passes, field-plateaux, steep slopes, forests and large open spaces (with numerous marked trails) from the Bagenelles Pass to Cernay.
For more information : click here.
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Adaptation and Translation: Sarah BROSSART-TARDIVON
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