Fonteny walks

Mesnival is a charming little valley bordered by woodland. In the middle of this large clearing stands a farm. The route forms a circular route around this wonderful spot. Half the route runs along the edge of the woodland, offering views of the farm and its surroundings. On the open sections, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views towards the Moselle hillsides.

This walk takes place on wide, often shaded paths. It plunges us into the heart of history as we traverse the hill crowned by a forest known as the ‘Camp des Romains’. This is a protohistoric oppidum. There are many traces of it to be seen. We owe much of the discovery of the cave to Régis, our fellow explorer. He is the great-nephew of Jacques Marsal, one of the three discoverers of the Lascaux cave. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree...

From Delme onwards, this route follows the old railway line. After the stunning panoramic views from the hill, it also offers another point of interest. Indeed, Xocourt has restored an old path which forms a truly extraordinary ‘tunnel of greenery’ stretching for over a kilometre. This marvel is, in fact, the focus of a shorter walk that is also suggested. Ideally, you should complete the route in a day, with the option of having a picnic at the second orientation table or in Juville.

The woods of Château-Bréhain are criss-crossed with paths. You will therefore need to take care to follow the route and the description carefully. The paths (even those not shown on maps) are very wide and easily accessible. The forest is very beautiful and pleasant.

A route allowing you to discover one of the highest points in the Saulnois region, at the summit of the Côte de Delme, offering an unrivalled view of the Moselle hillsides.

This short walk has been designed to allow you to go for a stroll in the Château-Salins area even in very hot weather. Only 50 metres of the route are in the open, and you can park your car in the shade at the starting point. Please note that Coutures is a village associated with Château-Salins (it lies just beyond it). You will only find it on a sat-nav by entering: Coutures, Château-Salins.

The main highlight of this route is the extraordinary tunnel of greenery, stretching for over a kilometre. This path has recently been restored thanks to the municipality of Xocourt. It was originally a narrow-gauge railway used to transport limes produced in the village of Tincry in the early 20th century. This tunnel offers some remarkable views. It is also worth noting that half of the route offers superb panoramic views towards Delme.

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 walk has been designed to share with you a hidden gem close to Château-Salins. It takes you straight to an area teeming with daffodils (mid-March). Reminder of the law: you may only pick one bunch of ten daffodils per person; picking flowers in bud is prohibited, as is picking leaves or digging up bulbs.

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.

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 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.

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.

This route mainly follows paths through fields and, as you walk, reveals magnificent panoramic views of the Saulnois region. Its highlight is the discovery of Mont des Saints, a site undergoing transformation where a series of monumental statues is gradually being erected. Launched in 2023, this ambitious project is led by sculptor Michel Dardaine, whose expertise is bringing the first Lorraine figures to life. The project is a long-term undertaking that will span several decades, offering visitors the pleasure of seeing the site evolve over the years. When you reach the summit, where the route passes, take the time to enjoy an exceptional 360° view, opening onto vast, luminous and particularly photogenic landscapes.

Walk on the limestone plateau of the Côte de Delme, between the north (Juville) and south (Puzieux) orientation tables, passing by the Juville quarry. You will discover many views of the Seille valley.

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.

Short hike suitable for children to discover the Petit Étang and Grand Étang lakes. You can observe the flora and fauna... birds of prey, herons, muskrats, frogs, ducks, Egyptian geese, swans, cuckoos, deer... depending on the time of day and the season... there's something for everyone.

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).

Circular walk around the small village of Suisse near Morhange. A walk comprising 50 per cent on footpaths and 50 per cent on quiet country lanes.

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.