Vannecourt walks

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.

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.

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 walk, in the heart of the Saulnois region, will allow us to discover the King’s Oak. Louis XIV is said to have camped near this oak, which is estimated to be four centuries old. It is situated in the woods opposite Château-Voué, a village steeped in history. It is no longer so easy to find today, and I invite you to join me in discovering and admiring it. You will also have the opportunity to visit Château-Voué (the castle ruins and fortified house), as well as to walk along the beautiful Étang de Wuisse.

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.

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 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.

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 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).

This route has two distinct sections. After following part of the path that circles the Étang de la Mutche, you will then reach the Claire Forêt. There you will discover a second, very interesting pond. This route alternates between open stretches and woodland. The paths are very well maintained and pleasant to walk on. The German military cemetery is a truly remarkable point of interest. Steeped in history, the site is impressive for its setting and grandeur.

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...

A walk that allows you to enjoy Marsal, its history and its panoramic views. Please note the comments left in the ‘Reviews and Discussion’ section on Saturday 9 November 2019. ==> The orientation table is located on private land, but access is permitted to enjoy the view. However, please ensure you close the access gates properly to prevent the grazing sheep from escaping.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

The Saulnois region is often described as the “Land of Salt and Ponds”. This description is well-deserved, and this route features nearly six ponds. Apart from the Étang des Essarts, which has been developed, the others are managed by the Lorraine Nature Conservancy and are completely unspoilt. Here you’ll discover a rich variety of wildlife, vegetation and colours that bear witness to a protected environment. The picnic area by the side of the main road is halfway along the route and can prove very useful.

Much of the route runs through woodland along very pleasant paths. The Tarquimpol peninsula offers the chance to really immerse yourself in the Lindre Pond. Of particular note is the beauty of the Étang des Essarts, which has been very well developed by the municipality of Dieuze. Here you’ll find a fitness trail and very well-organised picnic areas. During the route, the section along the route of the old railway line is particularly picturesque.

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.

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 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.

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.