CIRCUIT PÉDESTRE DE LA GRANDE ÉCLUSE

It's one of the jewels in the crown of river heritage that you'll discover on this itinerary, which unveils the developments made to enable river navigation. After skirting the pond-reservoir, the itinerary continues along six ancient locks that once enabled traffic to flow on the Marne-Rhine canal. The Grande Écluse that replaced these locks has saved a considerable amount of time. It allows boats to pass through in 30 minutes, compared with 6 hours previously. It is the French lock with the highest head on a Freycinet-gauge canal. Built between 1962 and 1965, it is an impressive 15.7 m high structure. From the lock site, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the canal and ponds. An interpretation trail, set between wood and water, details the canal's natural, human and historical riches.

Two other tours can be combined with the Grande Écluse tour. The nearest is the Petit Étang, which takes in the wildest part of the Réchicourt pond, a reservoir on the Marne-Rhine canal, divided into five basins, one of which is still used for merchant and pleasure boating. The Bataville circuit follows through an industrial and urban complex, a protected heritage site since 2014, around the former Bata Czech shoe factory and the workers' houses. All in all, three very different and richly varied tours.

A version for children is proposed on this circuit under the name Water and Biodiversity Trail. This can be enjoyed by the whole family, with the help of a booklet containing riddles to be solved along the way. This enigmatic walk also raises awareness of the surrounding biodiversity among young visitors. The booklet is available from the Sarrebourg Moselle Sud tourist office.