A 17-kilometre circular route starts in Dieulouard and leads through the Esch Valley to Griscourt and Villers-en-Haye. In addition, Dieulouard offers hikers and cyclists more than 30 kilometres of marked trails. Those looking for a holiday rental in Dieulouard can plan their stay around two interests: local history or nature trails.
Hiking and Cycling Around Dieulouard
The circular walk through the Esch Valley starts in Dieulouard and leads to two other villages. There are also marked trails for hikers and cyclists. The GR5, which connects the North Sea to the Mediterranean, and the 64.6-kilometre Nancy–Metz hiking trail also pass through the area. Dieulouard is also a stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Another cycling route is the Voie bleue: it reaches Dieulouard via the RD10 and then continues along the embankment between the Moselle and the parallel Moselle side canal. As the route may change, check the current route before setting out on a cycling trip.
The Esch Valley and Trails Along the Moselle
The Esch Valley is about 40 kilometres long, lies in the Petite Suisse Lorraine and is designated both a Natura 2000 site and an Espace naturel sensible. Dieulouard is part of the Parc naturel régional de Lorraine. When visiting the designated protected areas, take current guidance on any access requirements into account.
An interpretation trail and an ornithological observation station have been established along the Voie bleue in the Espace naturel sensible Val de Moselle near Dieulouard. Around the Étang du Spitz, walkers can use a surfaced mineral path in Dieulouard’s Espace naturel sensible. So, alongside longer hiking and cycling routes, there are also named paths for walks.
Château, Garden and Historic Buildings
The fortified Château de Dieulouard was built around the year 1000 to protect the inhabitants of a new village from attackers. By the 14th century, it had become a large fortress with a 100-metre-long, straight façade facing east. These two dates mark the site’s long development from a protective structure to a fortress.
The medieval garden in Dieulouard contains aromatic, vegetable, useful and medicinal plants. Another historic trace is the entrance gate to the former monastery: it is a Classical-style opening in the Corinthian order and probably dates from 1720. The different plant varieties and the architectural form of the gate add distinctive features alongside the history of the Château.
Église Saint-Sébastien and Notre Dame des Airs
The Gothic Église Saint-Sébastien dates from 1504 and was built over a crypt dating from the 12th century. In the crypt, restored statues of Joan of Arc and Jean de Dieulouard stand beside the early medieval statue of Notre-Dame-des-Grottes. Inside the church, the metal casings of two bombs that struck in 1918 are still attached to the pillars.
Guided tours of the church are offered to groups of at least 17 people from March to November, by prior reservation. The grounds at Notre Dame des Airs can be visited; guided tours for groups are available on request. Check the visiting arrangements in advance.
Notre Dame des Airs is a square tower 17 metres high. At its summit stands a three-metre-high cast-iron statue of the Virgin Mary. Together with the crypt, the church and the former monastery gate, the site offers a range of historic points of interest; the trails through the Esch Valley and along the Moselle provide a scenic counterpoint.
Discover more destinations: Houdémont, Toul, Joppécourt, Richardménil, Essey-et-Maizerais, Bruley, Blâmont, Mars-La-Tour.
Go to the main travel overview: Meurthe-Et-Moselle.
