The most beautiful natural sites to discover Alsace

Nestled in a natural setting at the bottom of the Kaysersberg valley, the Lac Blanc and the Lac Noir are a delight for lovers of invigorating hikes! Built during the annexation of Alsace to the German Empire after the 1870 war, these two lakes were linked in 1933 as part of the construction of the very first pumped storage power station installed in France. Separated by a 100 m difference in level, they are connected by a penstock. The principle consists in exchanging water between the two reservoirs at off-peak times. At peak consumption times, electricity is produced by turbining water from the upper reservoir. During off-peak hours, water from the lower basin is pumped to Lac Blanc for storage. In winter, a special atmosphere prevails on the site. This is probably why Jean-Pierre Mocky chose to shoot the opening sequence of his crime film Agent trouble with Catherine Deneuve in 1987. When the snow is there, skiing (downhill or cross-country) is a very popular activity. The Cornelius trail allows you to go from Lac Blanc to Lac Noir and back. Also to be discovered on the heights of Le Bonhomme and Lapoutroie, the pond of Devin is dominated by the Tête-des-Faux and has all the characteristics of a peat bog. It is also a protected site because it shelters an exceptional biodiversity. Superb panorama also around the Lac du Forlet and the Lac Vert which are both accessible from the hamlet of Hautes-Huttes in Orbey.

Mineral water of absolute purity gushes out in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park in Wattwiller. Nitrate-free and low in sodium, its therapeutic virtues have been known since ancient times. In 1993, its little taste was invited to all the tables of the region! Although the water is bottled, the inhabitants of the commune can get their supplies from the restored fountain at the bottom of the village. Do not hesitate to quench your thirst if you are passing through, it is worth a detour!

Lovers of geological curiosities that Mother Nature has had fun sowing all over the world to smile at the far-fetched interpretations that men will give them, Dieffenthal's granite rocks will undoubtedly arouse your interest. In Alsace, it is the best example of the erosion of "granite in balls" due to the circulation of water in the cracks of rocks. From the Dieffenthal church, the trail is marked by blue rings and information panels on the sights encountered. The first stop is the Medieval Garden where medicinal herbs used in the past to heal the sick were planted. You will then arrive at the famous Celtic Rock shaped by the power of the waters: tradition claims that it is a birth seat! Other rocks with unusual shapes are to be discovered throughout the walk (about 45 minutes) which ends with a crossing of the vineyards.