Unearth wonders in Menskirch, Moselle, Lorraine

This hike takes you along a disused railway line in places and is therefore ideal for getting some fresh air and enjoying the scent of undergrowth and flower meadows.

The villages of the Pays de Nied are marked by a strong popular piety, as evidenced by the rich religious heritage of roadside crosses, bidlstocks, oratories and remarkable churches.

From the bottom of the Canner valley, the Hackenberg circuit takes you up to the wooded, narrow, abrupt hills typical of the Canner valley and its tributaries. At the top you will fully deserve the wonderful view that presents itself.

Fortresses, blockhouses and other works of the famous defence line accompany the hiker. The visit of the Michelsberg, a real underground city made up of five combat blocks, the fort with frescoes and the Huberbusch casemates are the highlights of the walk.

From Laumesfeld, follow the old railway line that once linked Bettelainville to Merzig. The unique atmosphere of the cool, shady Bois de Bizing gives this walk a timeless feel. You'll then cross the Kallenhofen forest, renowned throughout the region among mushroom pickers, before enjoying a magnificent panorama of the surrounding countryside. Finally, the route passes through the heart of the village of Calembourg, where the Chapelle de la Trinité, discreetly nestled in a green setting, awaits you.

The GR5F, a hiking route from Bussang to Koblenz, provides a direct link from Apach to Metz via the verdant Canner valley. This first stage takes you to Kédange-sur-Canner.

After greeting the tercentenary Waldweistroff oak, majestic guardian of the village, venture into a forest once coveted by the most powerful lords. A strange atmosphere hangs in the air... keep your eyes peeled for unexpected presences along the way. The walk takes you to the church of Saint-Éloi, which dominates the entire region. Every June 25, a traditional pilgrimage brings together the faithful to have their horses... and now tractors, blessed in the hope of good harvests to come.

The Canner route follows the river of the same name from Kédange-sur-Canner to Kœnigsmacker. You can safely discover a green valley that leads to the Voie Bleue and the banks of the Moselle.

Flooded meadows, marshes, alluvial forests, rare and protected species, the Nied valley, recognised as a Natura 2000 area, is surprisingly rich in fauna, flora and landscapes of valley and wooded hillsides.

The Nied, a wild river that passes through the centre of Moselle, is ideal for trying your hand at kayaking. Although the descent presents few difficulties due to the gentle nature of the water, a few boat passes will give you a good thrill. You will enter a fragile natural environment with a rich fauna. Ashy herons, moorhens and kingfishers will surprise you with their beauty. Similarly, the wild flora, consisting of irises and water lilies, is only to be observed.

Museum Gaspar is housed in the residence of the middle-class family Gaspar from Arlon who had set up in this house (1893) that was built in 1842. It was renovated in 2004. The two most famous members of this family are animal sculptor Jean-Marie Gaspar (1861-1931) and Charles Gaspar (1971-1950) who was a photographer and a sponsor. He gave his house to the town of Arlon on the condition they make a museum of it, dedicated to his brother's work and that put into honour the history and the heritage of Arlon. At the first floor, theree are two restored salons identical to a middle-class salon from the early 20th century that show Jean-Marie Gaspar's sculptures. and the art and picture collection of Charles Gaspar. The rest of the first floor is dedicated to temporary exhibitions of the museum that alternates artv and history. A religion room shows collections about the abbey of Orval and to the people's devotion at the 18th century, and also relics from the ancient Saint-Martin church. But the Masterpiece is the famous altarpiece Retable de Fisenne - a 16th century masterpiece from the Antwerp school. Guided tours only on request by phone 063.600.654 or musee.gaspar@skynet.be (Original text by MT du Pays d?Arlon)This beautiful house was a bank at the origin. It was bought in 1893 by a middle-class family from Arlon, the family Gaspar. Jean Gaspar (1861-1931) was a sculptor. He was trained by the Antwerp sculptor Jef Lambeaux. His works are in bronze and in plaster and they are exhibited in the salons that have been restorated as they were in his house. His brother Charles (1871-1950) was a photographer, a collector and a sponsor. He gave this house to the town of Arlon. It hosts the library of the Archaeological Institute of the Belgian Province of Luxembourg and its secretary office since 1954. A wide part of the museum is also dedicated to temporary exhibitions about art and history of Arlon.

Rich in the Gallo-Roman past of Arlon, the museum houses an impressive collection that bears witness to the daily life of this period.One of the peculiarities of the museum is its imposing and rich lapidary collection, composed of several dozen fragments of ancient funerary monuments.These blocks and the objects from Roman craftsmanship will teach you more about daily life at that time.

Ingling Farm was allegedly built in the 17th century on the ruins of a hamlet destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. There were several houses, a chapel and even a castle. Situated between the villages of Menskirch and Chémery-les-Deux, the Ingling farmhouse stands in the middle of the fields and has a unique character as it has retained a certain degree of authenticity. However, its general condition is alarming due to its gradual neglect since the 1990s. Since the spring of 2022, the farm has been the subject of a major rescue programme. A new owner and an association created in July 2022 participate in its preservation and revive it as it was in the 1930s. The Fondation du Patrimoine approved the project in December 2022 so that the first emergency and safety work could be carried out. The Ingling farm is visible from the small road between Menskirch and Chémery-les-Deux but is not open to the public for the moment. Events will be organised around the history of the farm and local history, as soon as the site is secured.

Claire, a young dynamic and cheerful woman, recently settled in Dalstein, offers you pony rides and baptism, animations on the animals of the farm or even birthdays for children! On the program: discovery of its animals (rabbits, hens, geese, goats, sheep but also Lola, its llama!) but also of its vegetable garden. Moreover, Pony Ranch can also come to parties organized by works councils, town halls, associations or summer camps... A nice and original idea for a day in the open air!

Michelsberg was one of the Maginot Line’s large artillery forts and it is now open to the public. It still contains its original equipment and a tour reveals the underground world of the Maginot Line, since the fort lies at a depth of 30 metres below the ground. There are hundreds of metres of galleries along which a train ran. There is also an ultra modern kitchen and a power plant with its original diesel engines still in working order. Visitors are shown the command post, the barracks and a battle garrison containing the largest type of turret, weighing 265 tonnes.

A unique experience can be discovered in the Hobling forest (commune of Chémery-les-Deux, 10 minutes from Bouzonville). The footsteps of the French soldiers can still be heard in the heart of these casemates of the Maginot Line. The enthusiastic members of the association have faithfully and meticulously reconstructed the trenches that linked the two casemates of the Huberbusch. With free access, you can see at any time, during a walk in the forest for example (a hiking trail runs nearby), the living conditions of the French soldier of 1940. The Huberbusch casemates, which have been undergoing restoration since 2011, can be visited all year round, by appointment: living conditions, equipment and historical anecdotes will be told to you with passion by the young volunteers of the association. But there is one particular occasion, when you must discover this piece of French history : that is during the historical re-enactment days. You will be surrounded by French, German and English soldiers, but also civilians, installed in bivouacs, with their equipment (war and civilian), vehicles of all types... Authenticity guaranteed!

Rodlach was created in 1585 by a joint decision of the Duke of Lorraine and the abbot of Villers-Bettnach. As an annex of Bibiche, it was attached to it in 1810.

There are several hypotheses as to the erection of this cross: at the time of the great plagues, the survivors would have planted this cross in gratitude, a child would have been struck by lightning. The cross was renovated in 1976.

The small structure in Bois de Bousse, better known as the "Fort aux Fresques", takes its name from the numerous drawings (of Mickey on the Maginot Line), maxims, orders of the day, galleries with the names of famous men, and above all from its fresco designed by Daniel Derveaux, an artist from Saint-Malo, created during the phoney war (September 1939-June 1940). This underground dive will allow you to discover the infrastructure, the functioning, the living conditions of 149 men and a dog "Betty".

The three turrets at the corners of the courtyard are one of the many rich architectural features of this castle, built in the 12th century but altered in the 16th and 18th centuries. A visit includes the farm dating from 1765, the mediaeval foundations, the main courtyard, the knights’ chamber, the François I turret and the rooms on the ground floor.

This pretty chapel stands on the territory of the commune, on the border with Valmunster, and is dedicated to the patron saint of the commune, Saint Hubert (patron saint of hunters).

Over 8 hectares, a pedestrian loop allows you to descend into the intimacy of the Nied and to be charmed by its flooded meadows in which ponds and spawning grounds are dug, veritable aquatic herbariums diversifying the existing environments. The path leads to the large park via the old Bouzonville beach. Pontoons line the route as points of discovery of the aquatic environments, fauna and flora. Access via the rue du 27 novembre.

The snack bar "Chez Kilic" offers fast food to take away, such as Kebabs. Situated opposite the Nied park, you can enjoy lunch on the picnic tables provided along the river.

From the street already, the charm of this beautiful and authentic Lorraine house with green shutters surely operates. And this is only the beginning! Because once inside, you understand right away that you are going to spend a good, even a delicious moment: Jean-Paul and Nicole's welcome is smiling and warm, the restaurant room is decorated and furnished with taste, a good smell of cooking flatters your nostrils, it's done, you are trapped! And what a trap, my friends! Nothing but good and tasty in this establishment which honors the Lorraine cuisine, by sublimating the typical products of the soil: sweetbreads with morels, dandelion salad, frog legs, beef tournedos, "bouchée à la reine", without forgetting the delicious Lorraine delicatessen... And for the fish lovers, it is impossible not to fall for the famous "salade océane" composed of salmon, perch, red mullet, gambas and fresh scallops! Do you have a little room left? Good! Because the dessert menu is to die for, with notably, a faisselle from the Ferme de la Ceriseraie de Hunting, melting and light in the mouth... a real delight! To have a clear conscience, before succumbing to the charm of this address, we can only advise you to go on the "Abbey and chapels" hiking tour which passes right in front of it, or after having discovered the meanders of the Nied river in a kayak, thanks to the Nautic Club Bouzonville!

The Snack - Bar le République offers a dish of the day at lunchtime only: black pudding, shallot steak and other cordon bleu are waiting for you! In addition to the snack bar, Rita proposes a grocery corner, including Italian specialities.

Snack bar. Meals on site or takeaway.

In this small restaurant in the centre of Bouzonville, you will receive a warm welcome in a modern brasserie atmosphere. The dishes, simple but generous, are concocted with fresh products. A beautiful address at two steps of the abbey, where you will be able to benefit from the terrace when the weather allows it.

Harun welcomes you in a snack bar located in the centre of Bouzonville to treat you to his delicious kebabs. Just a stone's throw from the abbey church, take the time to enjoy a meal on the go, either in the dining room or on the terrace when the weather permits. Tip: save some room for a baklava! Hikers, don't hesitate to make a stop here during one of your walks in the Bouzonville area.

Pizzas, snacks to take away.

Green as far as the eye can see, birds chirping, insects foraging on the flowers, and you, enjoying this timeless moment while sipping your tea and its little sweets... well no... you are not in the countryside but in the heart of downtown Bouzonville! The backyard of the Comptoir Des Thés "Côté Cour" offers a very friendly setting and invites you to relax in an exceptional green setting where nothing disturbs the tranquility of the place. The bubbly Léa manages this bucolic address with a master's hand for a simple tea or coffee break or even more if you're a little hungry, i.e. a snack break but also lunch. Bruschetta, raw vegetables, Alsatian plate, cold cuts and other German specialties: nothing but good, concocted with kindness by the mistress of the place! As for dessert (or snack, depending on the time of day): tiramisu, Creole pineapple cake or even THE speciality of Léa: the matcha raspberry tea roll, all washed down with an iced tea or organic herbal tea that you can choose from among the 130 references of the store! Have a good tasting and see you soon for new gustatory adventures in the Land of the Three Borders!

It's not the size that counts, except at Beverly's Pizza! You can choose between different sizes: the mini 20cm, the 30cm (one person), 40cm (2 people) and up to 50 and 60cm (3-5 people). And if you haven't made up your mind about the toppings, the 50cm also comes in 50/50!

The restaurant welcomes you in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Brunch every third Sunday of the month.

Located in the small town of Menskirch in the Pays de la Nied, on the border of the Pays des Trois Frontières, at a distance of about 35 km from Metz and Thionville, the Gîte Saint-Martin offers accommodation for about fifteen people in a calm and preserved setting, on the edge of a forest. A former presbytery that has been completely renovated, with a surface area of 300 m² on a grassy plot of about 30 ares, this comfortable gîte offers all the space and facilities needed for several families to stay. This gîte is centrally located in the Moselle region and can be used throughout the department and even across the border in Germany and Luxembourg.

Calm, comfort, relaxation and nature are the key words of this welcoming and spacious gîte 25km from Metz, the Three Borders and Thionville. Independent house in a Lorraine village. The gîte has a surface area of 130m². On the ground floor: the kitchen opens onto a large garden and terrace, living room, bedroom, bathroom and separate toilet. Upstairs: 2 bedrooms and a small reading room. Shops nearby.

Semi-detached cottage with a surface of 100 m² about 10 km from Bouzonville.

The Stock-Borren site (old watering place) is a farmhouse restored in the old style: paving, clay plaster, limewash, old beams and stones. Large courtyard with mezzanine, and garden at the back. While traditional in design, the house is equipped with all modern conveniences: wifi, television, induction hob, microwave, oven, dishwasher etc.

La Parenthèse en Campagne invites you to relax in its tastefully renovated barn, consisting of two gîtes with a shared entrance. Equipped kitchen, living room, lounge with TV, DVD player, CD player and internet access. Two bedrooms in the attic (each with 2 single beds). Baby equipment on request (bed and high chair). Private terrace with garden furniture and barbecue.

La Parenthèse en Campagne consists of two gîtes with a shared entrance and invites you to relax in its tastefully renovated barn. They will allow you to relax on the private terrace, equipped with garden furniture and a barbecue and to go for many walks far from the noise. You can also visit the owner's pottery workshop where you can discover his creative and colourful world. The gîtes are equipped with a fully equipped kitchen, living room with TV, DVD player, CD player and internet access. Three bedrooms (1 double bed, 4 single beds). Baby equipment on request (bed and high chair). Private terrace with garden furniture and barbecue.

Close to the Luxembourg and German borders (17km) and the Cattenom power station (17km), "La Ginette" is a small, charming gîte decorated with taste and benefiting from all the comforts of home with its fully equipped kitchen (induction hob, combi oven and dishwasher), its living room area and its sleeping area. Free WIFI, non-smoking gite.

Independent, new, single storey house of 45 m2, surrounded by nature, which has a living room and large kitchenette, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom with Italian shower, a covered terrace overlooking the garden. Very well located near hiking trails.

Generous and welcoming, the gite "Le temps de vivre" has a capacity of 8 people and consists of an independent house of 125 m2, a garage for 2 cars, a terrace overlooking a green space. Balcony, terrace and enclosed green space.

The Cordel family welcomes you in their guest room, located outside the village of Kirschnaumen in the hamlet of Evendorff. You will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet, admire the nature, visit the farm, all in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Particular care is taken with the local breakfast, which is taken in the owner's kitchen and made from fresh, home-made products (honey, jam, cheese and sausage).