1940-1944 Smugglers' Walk between Novéant and Arnaville

A route commemorating the contemporary history of these places between Novéant and Arnaville. Between 1940 and 1944, volunteer smugglers helped men hunted by the invaders to regain their freedom and resume the fight for the liberation of their battered homeland.

Details

73153784
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.76 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 32 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 42 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 212 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 170 m

Description of the walk

Park near Novéant station.

(S/E) Go under the railway tracks to reach the Moselle and the Voie Verte known as Nuée Bleue.

(1) Turn right towards the lock and walk to the plaque commemorating the Americans killed in 1944.

(2) Continue on to find the Stele of the Convoys of Suffering and Deportation (Death Convoys).

(3) Continue along the Greenway to reach the railway underpass.

(4) Leave it on your right. Continue straight ahead, then cross the bridge over the canal, follow it on your right and you will reach the 1871 border markers.

(5) When you reach the lock keeper's house, cross the canal bridge on your left or right, then continue to a second bridge.

(6) Turn left towards the Moselle on the Greenway to find the US 5th Division memorial.

(7) Return in the opposite direction to the previous crossroads.

(6) Cross the canal, continue straight ahead, then pass under the railway line towards the road to Pagny-sur-Moselle.

(8) Leave the bridge over the Rupt de Mad opposite and take Chemin de la Gare on the left. Reach the footbridge over the stream.

(9) Take it to the right, climb up Ruelle du Génie opposite and you will find the plaque marking the passage of the5th US Division at the end of this lane.

(10) Cross the Grand Rue, then climb towards the church. Follow the yellow and white marked Nancy-Metz route towards Novéant.

(11) Continue across the field, pass the 1871 border markers and continue towards Novéant. Turn right onto Rue du Cloitre or further along Grand-Rue, then descend to the D91 and arrive at the Monument des Passeurs.

(12) Turn left, head towards the Socio-Cultural Centre, pass under the railway tracks to rejoin the canal.

(4) Turn left, retrace your steps and take the Voie Verte to return to Novéant station (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 180 m - Car park - Gare de Novéant
  2. 1 : km 0.08 - alt. 173 m - Greenway named Nuée Bleue - Moselle (la)
  3. 2 : km 0.34 - alt. 174 m - Commemorative plaque for Americans killed in action
  4. 3 : km 0.48 - alt. 177 m - Stele commemorating the convoys of suffering (deportation)
  5. 4 : km 0.87 - alt. 180 m - Crossroads underpass
  6. 5 : km 2.06 - alt. 183 m - Border markers from 1871
  7. 6 : km 2.8 - alt. 186 m - Carrefour Rue du Stade
  8. 7 : km 3.02 - alt. 182 m - Ve Div US memorial - Moselle (la)
  9. 8 : km 3.91 - alt. 185 m - Bridge over the Rupt de Mad
  10. 9 : km 4.24 - alt. 187 m - Footbridge over the - Rupt de Mad
  11. 10 : km 4.37 - alt. 194 m - Ve Div US passage plaque
  12. 11 : km 5.48 - alt. 205 m - Border markers from 1871
  13. 12 : km 6.59 - alt. 173 m - Monument to the Smugglers
  14. S/E : km 7.76 - alt. 174 m - Car park - Gare de Novéant

Notes

There are numerous car parks at both the start and finish points. This route can be started from either Novéant or Arnaville. There is a bakery in Novéant and Arnaville. There is a restaurant and burger bar in Novéant.

Worth a visit

An alternative route is possible via the Col du Rudmont if the vineyard path is impassable due to heavy rain. (+ 1.5 km and steep slope).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 11960775

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route along a branch of the Moselle, taking you through the village and across the fields. We were unable to identify the old boundary markers.

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Sergio 57
Sergio 57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike. Easy, suitable for all ages. From Novéant to Arnaville, the route follows a very pleasant tarmac cycle path along the canal. The return journey crosses the vineyards on the hills above Arnaville.

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christian57
christian57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and informative trail about the smugglers.
However, the old French and German border posts are a little difficult to find under the vegetation, which is a shame

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