La Mortagne along the river

Access: Vallois – D914, Vallois exit.

Park in the Place de la Rivière car park, near the Vieux Moulin farm, on the side of the River Mortagne.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards Moyen, following the Blue Triangle sign. Cross the small bridge and head north-east along a tarmac-surfaced local track.

(1) Further on, on a stony track, you’ll see the River Mortagne on your right, lined with a beautiful riparian forest. You’ll then gradually move away from the river, now skirting wet meadows. In the distance, you can see Moyen Church and the Château de Qui qu’en Grogne. Head up towards the hill for 500 m.

(2) In the woodland, turn right onto a dirt track (Blue Triangle) and continue for about a hundred metres to the top of the hill.

(3) Turn slightly to the right towards Moyen (a short section which can be particularly muddy at certain times of year). Gradually descend the path for 700 metres and enjoy the view of the church and Château de Moyen once again.

(4) Pass under the old Nancy–Gérardmer railway line. At the farm on your left, carry straight on until you reach a picturesque old stone bridge spanning the Mortagne. To your right is a canoeing and kayaking route.

(5) Now cross the D914 with care (it’s a busy road); follow it a few metres to the left before turning right, then very quickly right again down a small alleyway, continuing to follow the Blue Triangle signposts.

(6) At the top of the narrow lane, turn right for a few metres and then left past a house with a pale yellow façade (the Blue Triangle is barely visible at the bottom of the boundary wall). Turn left again to reach the ruins of the Château de Qui-qu’en-grogne, which you’ll walk past on your right.

(7) Turn round and head back to Vallois along the same route you took on the way there, until you reach the car park at Place de la Rivière in Vallois (S/E).

A wide gravel track, with some sections tarmacked.

Places to see
The meanders of the Mortagne

The River Mortagne and its meanders form a sensitive natural area stretching 35 km between the Vosges department and its confluence with the River Meurthe. In the valley, meadows still cover a large area. The diversity of its water flows and natural habitats supports both fish found in fast-flowing waters (trout, sculpin) and those that prefer slower-moving areas (gudgeon, river loach, pike). Waterbirds such as the sand martin, kingfisher and little ringed plover nest on the banks.

The ruins of the Château de “Qui qu’en grogne”
This medieval expression means: ‘Let anyone who takes offence come and challenge me’. Built in 1444 for the bishops of Metz, it was besieged on several occasions: by the Burgundians, the German Protestants, the Spanish, the Lorrainers and the French. It was demolished in 1639 on the orders of Richelieu. Its three successive walls had made it a unique castle in Lorraine. Its ruins, including a well which, according to legend, provided access to Magnières Castle, are open to visitors (Visits on Sundays and public holidays between Easter and All Saints’ Day. (Tel: 03 83 42 71 26))

The medieval bridge at Moyen