Visitors choosing Boulay-Moselle as a destination will find plenty to inspire a stay: the Dada towers of the former fortified town, churches with different organs, Macarons de Boulay and hiking trails of very different lengths. You can focus on culture, regional specialties or outdoor activities—or combine these themes depending on how much time you have available.
Towers and historic traces
The Dada towers are the only surviving towers of the former fortified town of Boulay-Moselle. You can visit them from the outside free of charge and independently. Check locally for visiting conditions before your trip. Boulay-Moselle’s medieval history also includes the castle and fortifications built under the rule of the Lords of Boulay.
The known construction phases of the Chapelle Sainte-Croix date back further: a building was already on the site in 1544. A hermit rebuilt the chapel in 1713. The two dates mark different stages: the earlier building is documented in 1544, while 1713 refers to the chapel’s reconstruction.
Churches and organs
The Protestant temple was built in 1884 in the Neo-Gothic style. It has housed a Dalstein-Haerpfer organ since 1905. The construction date and the organ therefore reflect two distinct stages in the temple’s furnishings.
The Église Saint-Etienne offers a different architectural style: the imposing red sandstone barn church was completed in 1782. Notable features include a baptismal font dating from 1518 and a neoclassical organ. Its scale is reflected in the figures: four manuals, 54 stops and 3,600 pipes, including 114 façade pipes. Those interested in church architecture can explore the materials, design and organ here; the baptismal font dates from earlier than the church’s completion.
Macarons de Boulay
The Macarons de Boulay are a culinary specialty unique to the town. Their recipe was perfected in 1854 by Monsieur and Madame Lazard. They are made exclusively from fresh almonds, sugar and egg whites; each macaron is shaped by hand with a spoon. The artisanal tradition is also reflected in the state award “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” and the “Qualité MOSL” label.
Guided tours of the Macarons de Boulay are available for groups of up to 30 people. If you are planning a group tour, check availability in advance.
Hiking trails of different lengths
Les dames Dadas is a signposted circular hiking trail that starts in Boulay-Moselle. The loop is 9.9 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It climbs to a plateau offering panoramic views over Boulay-Moselle. As maintenance work or diversions may affect route details, check the route and trail markers before setting out.
Another option is the “De Boulay-Moselle à Volmerange-lès-Boulay via Valmunster” hiking route. It connects Boulay-Moselle with Volmerange-lès-Boulay via Valmunster and is 36.4 kilometres long. The two options therefore differ considerably in distance. Both the length and duration are given for Les dames Dadas; the route via Valmunster is described by its length.
When planning your visit, you can prioritize these themes separately: the towers, churches and chapel offer historic points of interest, the macarons add a local artisanal specialty to your visit, and the two hiking options clearly differ in length. This lets you explore Boulay-Moselle according to your own interests, without having to turn the individual attractions into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Lutzelbourg, La Maxe, Buding, Basse-Ham, Roussy-Le-Village, Haspelschiedt, Vilsberg, Rodemack.
See the regional travel guide: Moselle.
