Discovering Vosges sandstone
Walking in the Vosges Mountains, we discover the different rocks of the range. The iconic rocks of the mountains, both natural and man-made, arouse our curiosity.
We embark upon a geological journey through the eras to find out more.
The Vosges Mountains, history set in stone
We head out on a hike with a mountain guide specialised in geology to better understand how the Vosges Mountains were created and to discover the morphology of the landscapes. Along the walk, we learn more about the geological history of the Vosges, while also taking the time to admire the views.
In the Higher Vosges, fascinating discoveries await mineral buffs on a visit to the Terrae Genesis geological centre.
The rock star of the Vosges Mountains
Sandstone, a symbol of the Vosges, can be found all throughout the area. Numerous buildings made with Vosges pink sandstone dot the mountains. We head out to discover this sedimentary rock on a walk among castles, sculptures and natural sites.
Info-Punkt : On Mont Sainte-Odile, discover the 11 km “pagan wall” made with blocks of sandstone.
On Abbey Road
We can’t wait to discover the Land of Abbeys and its famous pink sandstone monasteries. We decide to cycle on the “Abbey Road” greenway, a 10 km trail along a river linking the abbeys of Senones, Moyenmoutier and Etival-Clairefontaine.We take the time to read the different information panels that mark the way and learn more about the rich history of the area.
Among ruins and fortified castles
Such an imposing fortress! At 757 m high, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle overlooks the Alsace Plain. This pink sandstone building is open to visitors all year long, who can also participate in various workshops.
Elsewhere in the Vosges Mountains, we visit other fortified castles, often in ruins, and experience life in the Middle Ages for a few hours.
The Alsace Castles Route has not-to-be-missed sites to visit in both summer and winter.
Ice Age
Ancient glaciers left their mark on the landscape of the Vosges Mountains in the form of glacial cirques. Nestled in the valleys at the bottom of the cirques are lakes surrounded by rocks and pastures. We decide to discover these vestiges of the Palaeozoic Era during a hike along the ridges of the Vosges.
There’s an ancient volcano from the ice age on the site of Nideck. Nideck castle is built on rock from ancient lava flows.
Underground exploration in the mines
We’re curious about the mining history of the Vosges Mountains. To learn more about the mountains’ resources, we head underground for an expedition as a family. On a guided tour in a former silver mine, we hear about the daily lives of the miners and the technical evolutions.