By bike in the Sarrebourg region
Take the time to be surprised by the Terres d'Oh Destination, a little corner of France where the good life reigns. Terres d'Oh is the ideal Destination to take you on a different kind of journey through the great outdoors, from Sarreguemines to the gateway to Saarland in Germany, via Alsace Bossue, Sarrebourg Moselle Sud, and the Phalsbourg and Saulnois regions.
Discover a small part of this surprising Destination with our suggestion for a 2-day getaway starting from Sarrebourg Moselle Sud.
DAY 1: Let yourself be guided by the river
Free as a bird!Enter in Terre d'Oh, an area located in the Saarbrücken-Lagarde-Saverne triangle, criss-crossed by 120 km of canals, from the Saar and the Marne to the Rhine, with over 480 km of cycle routes and over 1,000 km of walking trails.
Here's an invigorating getaway on the theme of water, with a host of water-based activities to punctuate your itinerary. On your saddles! Cover almost 50km of the Sarrebourg Moselle Sud area. This route is ideal for beginners, thanks to its gentle gradient. The canal cycle routes are perfectly adapted and safe, so that young and old alike can enjoy the pleasures of cycling without too much effort, with both electric and conventional bikes.
On this first day of cycling along the banks of the Sarre and Marne au Rhin canals, pedal through forests and stretches of water, in an exceptional natural setting along the Mittersheim, Stock and Gondrexange ponds. Don't hurry - this is a real invitation to take your time and let yourself be carried along by the water.
Take the Eurovéloroute No. 5 route (Saarbrücken-Basel) and start at the gateway to the Sarrebourg Moselle Sud area, from the port of Mittersheim. The Lac Vert leisure center already offers a whole range of water-based leisure activities: pedalos, canoeing, paddling, inflatable water games, swimming, fishing, etc.
As soon as you start pedalling, at the Mittersheim pond, a photographic trail will accompany you all the way to Languimberg, without leaving the banks. With around fifteen photo panels, this is a real open-air exhibition where you can discover the richness and diversity of our natural heritage.
Pedal along the canals for an invigorating trip through pond country alongside the river boats. Once you've arrived at the Stock de Langatte lake, enjoy the pleasures of the water at the leisure centre with a refreshing swim, a canoe or pedalo trip for even more thrills. A wellness centre with sauna, hammam, jacuzzi and heated pools with massage jets welcomes you directly to the centre for a well-deserved relaxation break.
After this moment of relaxation, what could be better than a good traditional restaurant ? The Auberge du Stock in Langatte will serve you delicious dishes in its charming restaurant in the heart of nature on the banks of the lake.
Cycle back along the banks of the canal for a quarter of an hour as far as Diane-Capelle, and join the pretty village to visit the unusual doll museum ! The museum houses almost 700 plastic and porcelain toys, dating from 1925 to the present day. Exhibitions, creative workshops, a shop and even a bar await you.
Pedal along the banks to the famous junction of the Saar and Marne au Rhin canals at Gondrexange. Cross the metal footbridge and enjoy the incredible view over the 3 ponds.
Sleep by the water!With its accommodation ideally situated on the edge of the small lake, Les Mouettes campsite will welcome you in the best possible conditions for an invigorating night's sleep, with various options available: rent a bivouac space (if you've brought your own tent), a chalet or even a Finnish kota for added comfort. The campsite has a secure storage area for your bike and your equipment, a washing machine, a bread deposit, internet/wifi access...
DAY 2: Explore the Valley of the Lock Keepers
After a soothing night on the banks of the Gondrexange pond, set off again on the Eurovéloroute no. 5. Stop off at the small village of Hesse, crossed by the Marne au Rhin canal, home to a remarkable Benedictine women's abbey founded in the 10th century by the Counts of Dabo.
A little further along the route, in Niderviller, admire the old earthenware factory dating from the 18th century, with its two "bottle kilns", so named because of their distinctive shape. Follow the road for a few hundred metres and enjoy traditional dishes at the Tannenheim inn on the banks of the canal.
On leaving Niderviller, at the gateway to the Sarrebourg Moselle Sud region, overlook the astonishing boat tunnel in the middle of the forest and enter Phalsbourg country.
For the rest of your trip along the water, enter the Vallée des Eclusiers, a remarkable site on France's waterways, by following the green route along the Marne au Rhin canal. Enjoy a crêpe at lock no. 2 in the "Papar Hasard" and pedal towards Saint-Louis-Arzviller alongside walkers, fishermen and climbers. See a boat lift, the only one of its kind in Europe, the Plan Incliné de Saint-Louis-Arzviller. Built more than 50 years ago, this structure replaced 17 locks and now enables boats to cross the Massif Vosgien threshold by overcoming a difference in height of almost 45m in just a few minutes.
The Inclined Plan is also open to visitors, so you can enjoy the unique experience of going up the structure in a river shuttle and discover the permanent exhibition, the high platform for observing manoeuvres, and the engine room.
Book a visit to the Plan Incliné
Not far away, let yourself be dazzled by the glass-blowers at Cristallerie Lehrer, who offer demonstrations throughout the day. Take a stroll around the shop and you won't be able to resist the beauty of the products on display, which bear witness to local craftsmanship and know-how, from jewellery and tableware to decorations and baubles.
For the more adventurous among you, you can continue your journey by bike as far as Saverne, and even Strasbourg by following EuroVelo 5 along the banks of the Marne au Rhin canal.
Perhaps this trip will inspire you to try your hand at river tourism, on board a pleasure boat that you can pilot yourself, without needing a licence. You can always take along your favourite bike for even more surprising discoveries.
Consult the map of cycle routes
Discover our suggestions for water-based holidays
For an even more immersive experience in Terres d'Oh, visit the destination's website