Natural Moselle
When Moselle reveals its landscapes
Plateaus, valleys, wooded areas, ponds and rivers, low mountain ranges — Moselle is a territory of diverse landscapes. From the south, in the Saar and Seille valleys, to the north with the hills of the Three Borders area, the department offers its residents an exceptional natural living environment.
Discover Moselle through exceptional natural landscapes
Moselle means:
- 2 regional natural parks (the Lorraine Regional Natural Park and the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park)
- 2 biosphere reserves (the Northern Vosges–Palatinate Forest cross-border biosphere reserve and the Sarrebourg Moselle Sud World Biosphere Reserve)
- 3,249 kilometres of marked trails listed in the Departmental Plan for Walking and Hiking Routes (including 3 long-distance hiking trails and 1 European long-distance trail)
- 1,561 km of cycling routes (greenways, cycle routes, shared-road itineraries) to discover the natural heritage
Remarkable and unique natural sites
- The Rocher de Dabo: One of the emblems of the Sarrebourg area. This pink sandstone rock, striking for both its position and its shape, rises to an altitude of 664 metres. From its summit, it offers an exceptional panoramic view over the surrounding fir forests and rivers. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of Moselle!
- The Altschlossfelsen rock: Nicknamed the Colorado of the Pays de Bitche, this natural site, more than 225 million years old, is a must-see in the Northern Vosges Regional Park. To reach these ochre cliffs, a short hike from the village of Roppeviller is required.
- The Laquenexy Fruit Gardens: This site, owned by the Moselle Department, invites visitors to discover tastes and flavours through several themed gardens (vegetable garden, orchards, berry garden, clearing, flavour garden…). When nature stimulates all five senses…
Also:
Moselle-Sud: a UNESCO-recognised biosphere!
The Moselle-Sud biosphere reserve was recognised by UNESCO on 15 September 2021. There are 738 such reserves worldwide and 16 in France. In Moselle, it includes the Vosges massif, the Pays des Étangs, the Seille Valley and the Saar Valley.
This exceptional natural heritage is a protected area, along with all that it contains (fauna and flora), for future generations.
What if you discovered this exceptional site on a hike?
Key figures for the Moselle-Sud biosphere reserve:
- 1,400 km2 (50% forest)
- 2nd biosphere reserve in the Grand Est region (after the Northern Vosges in 1989)
- Brings together 138 municipalities
- Home to more than 200 bird species and 14 bat species
Explore Moselle’s landscapes by bike
The Arzviller/Henridorff lock flight, made up of 17 locks over a distance of 3.8 kilometres, is a true open-air museum. Now developed as a greenway, this site is increasingly popular with walkers and cycle tourists.
The Pays de Phalsbourg Tourist Office also offers electric bike rental from Lutzelbourg. A great opportunity to ride the 8 kilometres of greenway and discover other local treasures (Rocher de Dabo) at your own pace.
paysdephalsbourg.com
Learn more about Moselle's natural heritage
