Bezange-la-Grande walks

Hike around the village of Bezange-la-Grande along woodland paths, field tracks and small roads. Between points (5) and (9), the paths are very quiet, so it is advisable to have a GPS.

Mid-March is daffodil season, and there's no need to go into town to find them in abundance. This route will allow you to find plenty of them without the crowds.

A hike along small roads, stone tracks and wood paths between Chambrey and Bezange-la-Grande, starting in the Bezange-la-Grande national forest.Along the route: the Saint-Roch Chapel, the Imperial Station and the church of Chambrey, a German memorial monument in the national forest.

A walk around Athienville and the Ranzey Forest, with a view towards Hoéville.

Circular route between the villages of Athienville and Arracourt, returning via the Bois de Bénamont. Beautiful views at the start along the path on the edge of the Bois les Jumelles. A shaded walk through the Bois de Bénamont. Best undertaken with a GPS as, at the start in the Bois de Bénamont, the paths are difficult to see in places and the IGN map is out of date.

A circular route to visit the German remains from the 1914-1918 war in the Bois Haut de Chaumont in Moncel-sur-Seille. In the woods, it's a walk off the beaten track in search of remains. This hike is best done with a GPS or a good sense of direction. It is possible that there are still remains to be found: if you find any others, please post the photos and send me the GPS coordinates to complete this hike.

This route spans two forests (Raon and Ranzey). The site is steeped in history, with remnants of soldiers' passage during the First World War and a monument paying tribute to the Ranzey maquis (1939-45). Numerous educational panels provide details about the various points of interest. There is also a truly impressive panorama to discover at the gigantic orientation table at La Croisette, which is the starting point for this hike.

A circular walk on the northern outskirts of Moncel-sur-Seille to visit the Bois de Rosebois, the Gare Impériale and the Chapelle Saint-Roch de Chambrey, the Bois Saint-Roch, the Moulin de Sainte-Marie and the Bois de Sainte-Marie. As you enter the Bois de Rosebois and exit near the old railway line, you can see remnants of the First World War.

A circular walk starting from the church, mainly through woodland. Passing the Hoéville orientation table at a place called La Croisette. Throughout the walk, you’ll pass the remains from the First World War. And finally, a walk along the Roche aux Fées. The walk follows wide woodland tracks and well-maintained footpaths.

A circular loop between Hoéville and Athienville via the Bois de Ranzey. Return via roads and country lanes. In the Bois Mougenot section, there are numerous remains from the 1914–1918 period in the form of trenches.

A loop between Arracourt and Bezange-la-Grande, starting in the plain, mainly on small roads, and returning through the Bezange State Forest. At the start of the hike, you will pass the tank commemorating one of the largest tank battles of the Second World War.

A circular route through the Saulnois plain, passing through the villages of Juvrecourt, Xanrey and Réchicourt-la-Petite. The first 500 metres are on a busy road, the rest on quiet country lanes and wide field paths. This walk passes an American memorial to the First World War, situated in open countryside in the commune of Réchicourt-la-Petite.

A loop in the Saulnois between Vic-sur-Seille and Moyenvic, passing through the Bezange la Grande National Forest. Walk along field paths and woodland trails with beautiful views from the highest points.

This is a circular walk starting in one of the jewels of the Saulnois region: Vic-sur-Seille. This walk will take you past some superb panoramic views. It is ideal in fine weather, offering a variety of routes along paths, as well as sections of gravel or tarmac.

A circular route along roads, field paths and woodland tracks between the villages of Erbéviller-sur-Amezule and Sornéville. Passing through the woods of Faulx and Grignan. A beautiful distant view of the countryside as you leave the Bois de Faulx. Passing an observation post with its small sentry box, a remnant of the First World War, at a place called Les Hauts Royaux in Réméréville.

A circular walk starting from the church in Réméréville, passing through the Bezange-la-Grande State Forest, then through the Bois Raon and the Bois du Coin Saint-Martin. A stop at the Hoéville orientation point with a 360° view. In the Bois du Coin Saint-Martin, passing a beautiful stone marker and the grave of Captain Henri Brugère, and finally a visit to the Courbesseaux National Necropolis.

A circular walk through the rolling plains of the Saulnois between the villages of Xanrey, Lezey and Bezange-la-Petite, with beautiful views. A walk along quiet country lanes and field paths.

This route offers superb panoramic views and consists mainly of forest tracks. In the Saulnois region, the village of Grémecey is associated with the Gallo-Roman villa located in the communal forest. It was unearthed in 1960 and then reburied some thirty years later. This route pays tribute to Paul Beugnette, from Fresnes-en-Saulnois, who collected numerous artefacts. He set up a small museum which delighted many schoolchildren in the Saulnois region.

A loop between Grémecey and Vic-sur-Seille, starting on the GR®5, mainly in the woods, returning on minor roads. You'll need a GPS, as the signposting is poor in places and there are many false trails. By false trails, we mean beautiful, wide paths where you can walk happily, forgetting to turn off onto small paths where the start is hard to see. The start through the woods is pleasant and shady, after the visit to Vic-sur-Seille, which is well worth the effort. You have to get back by the shortest route, and the small roads make this possible. An attempt to return via the old railway line proved impossible. Before entering the Forêt Domaniale de Grémecey, there are some very fine views.

This is the most historically significant spot in the Saulnois region. You’ll be following in the footsteps of Attila and the Huns, who once camped here. From the orientation table at the summit, you’ll enjoy a superb panoramic view of the Saulnois region. Imagine the Hun leader stationed at this very spot, keeping watch over the surrounding area. Legend has it that he beheaded Saint Livier, after whom the chapel on your route is named. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to bump into the hermit monk who lives here.

This walk, which presents no particular difficulty, will allow you to enjoy some magnificent panoramic views. The orientation table at the top of Mont St-Jean, the St-Livier Chapel and the former Salival Abbey – now a farm – are points of interest that will enhance your walk. You’ll finish with a long straight stretch along one of the banks of the Salival Stream, which is so idyllic. If, like me, you do the walk in winter, you may be lucky enough to spot the famous sheep affectionately known by the locals as ‘Dédé de St-Livier’. He’s very well known because he stubbornly refuses to return to the sheepfold during the winter. I was lucky enough to photograph him at the end of January (see photo).

Back in the 1970s, like many schoolchildren from the Saulnois region, I visited the Gallo-Roman villa at Grémecey. It was subsequently buried and somewhat forgotten. For a long time, I believed that no remains of it existed. It has indeed become difficult to find, as it is surrounded by dense vegetation. This route takes you there, allowing you to see the remains of this building steeped in history. The route presents no significant difficulty.

This route takes you to the Majurin valley from Château-Salins. The Majurin is a stream that flows through a plain surrounded by small woods. The valley is very close to Coutures and Château-Salins, yet you feel as though you are in the heart of the countryside, far from it all. The walk offers some beautiful panoramic views. It alternates pleasantly between sections deep in the forest and out in the open. As it presents no difficulties, this circular walk is ideal for a family outing.

This walk will introduce you to one of the jewels of the Saulnois region: Vic-sur-Seille. The route offers a leisurely stroll through the village. You’ll also be able to enjoy exceptional panoramic views, particularly from the Chemin du Haut de Phara.

This walk around Château-Salins will offer you some superb panoramic views of the Saulnois region. Two-thirds of the route takes place in the forest. You’ll have the great honour of walking along the Chemin de la Reine, so named because it was trodden (after being restored) in 1725 by the new Queen of France, Marie Leszczynska. She was travelling with her entire entourage to join Louis XV. It’s worth noting that one section of this path is a particularly impressive tunnel of greenery.

A lovely walk, partly in the shade and partly in the sun, which will take you to the edge of the Étang de Brin in its forest setting. A birdwatching hide will allow you to discover the wildlife that lives around the lake. A pair of binoculars may prove very useful.

A border village from 1870 to 1914, Brin-sur-Seille was completely razed to the ground at the start of the First World War. This walk will allow you to discover views of the Seille valley from the top of the village, its forest and its pond, which has long been used for restocking the region’s rivers and ponds.

An easy walk around the Étang de Parroy and the surrounding villages.

A circular walk starting from the village of Hénaménil towards Bathelémont, passing by the Marne-Rhine Canal and Parroy Pond, returning via Bauzemont with its castle and the canal. The route follows mainly cycle paths and minor roads, except for the section leading to the Parroy Leisure Centre.

Circular route between the Étang de Parroy and Réchicourt-la-Petite, returning via Bures. Views of the Étang de Parroy from near and far. In Réchicourt-la-Petite, a line of seven blockhouses from the 1914–1918 period and a Météo-France weather station. On the way back, pass by the memorial to the first three Americans killed in 1917. Throughout the route, 360° views across the plain and the Vosges mountains.

This walk takes us to the village of Parroy along field paths, then to Xures via the cycle path running alongside the Marne–Rhine Canal, before finishing in the village of Mouacourt via the Parroy Wood.

This short walk has two highlights: the Étang de Parroy and the Marne-Rhine Canal. The site is superb and offers some lovely views as you climb the hills after leaving the lake. During the tourist season, you can see sailing boats from the water sports centre and numerous boats belonging to river tourism enthusiasts. We are in the Sânon region, right in the heart of the countryside, and the peace and quiet of the area is much appreciated.

This route is truly ideal in very hot weather. It runs entirely in the shade along wide, lovely paths. The starting point is certainly of interest: it is a picturesque picnic area right in the heart of the woods. There are no significant difficulties, no steep climbs – an ideal outing for the whole family.

The “Gros Max” is an SK-LK/45-type gun installed by the Germans between 1916 and 1917 in the “Le Chaumont” woods, near Hampont. This site has been all but forgotten today. Finding a passable route was no easy task. The location is impressive. Please note that the surrounding area may be dangerous for children or pets. There are cavities in the vicinity caused by countless underground tunnels and other structures.

Please note: there is no path beyond the salt pans; you’ll need to cross a field for about a hundred metres to reach the other path.