Along the Bunkers

On site, you will find the trail under the following name: AU FIL DES BLOCKHAUS

This pleasant walk, starting from Puttelange-aux-Lacs, invites you to discover the town's history through its historical trail. A sign at the starting point in front of the town hall displays the route: monuments, places of worship, and military structures.

From the town, you will quickly reach the countryside and then the forest. The itinerary, punctuated with several bunkers, will lead you to the Saint-Luc Church in Diefenbach-lès-Puttelange and will offer you a beautiful view of the Tiergarten pond as you exit the forest. You can admire the fields on one side and the forest on the other, with a view of the pond a little further. The small paths where vegetation thrives in the spring, bordered by trees forming a small hedge, create a narrow passage through the forest.

The bunkers, remnants and witnesses of history past and present, appear through the trees. By taking a small detour into the forest, other structures of the Maginot Line can be observed, reminding us of the strategic importance of this region during World War II. This line of defense, built to protect France's eastern border, includes several fortifications scattered in this area.

Returning to the route, you will cross the forest before arriving at the village of Diefenbach-lès-Puttelange. There you will find a playground and a city stadium to bypass. The path then leads you through fields, back to Puttelange-aux-Lacs. In the distance, the bell tower of the Saint-Michel Church indicates the direction to return to the starting point. Along the way, a larger bunker, this time located by the roadside, still bears witness to that bygone era.

- Alternative route: this trail is ideally situated between two other routes: one towards the Welschhof pond, “The Fishermen's Loop” (La Boucle des Pêcheurs), and the other towards the Diefenbach pond,”The Oak and the Reed” (Le Chêne et le Roseau). These alternatives offer several enjoyable trails, allowing you to discover new remnants of the Maginot Aquatic Line, walking by the water. These varied routes ensure a rewarding experience for all hiking and history enthusiasts.

- Connections: "The Oak and the Reed" (Le Chêne et le Roseau - 12.2 km) route is directly accessible from this route - 1.1 km link to "The Fishermen's Loop" (La Boucle des Pêcheurs - 10 km).

- Trail-Marking: yellow rectangle

- Geographical area: Along the ponds of the aquatic Maginot Line

- Starting points: Puttelange-aux-Lacs > 21a Rue Wilson – Town Hall / Diefenbach-lès-Puttelange > 104 Rue du Lac – Cycling school