Lac de la Moselotte, a variety of walking trails and local heritage give Saulxures-Sur-Moselotte several highlights for a visit. The stated walking times range from about 20 minutes to roughly two hours; seasonal swimming conditions also apply at the lake. The church, museum and roadside crosses round out the picture.
Lake, swimming and activities
Lac de la Moselotte is an artificial lake covering 9.6 hectares. It is easily accessible to the public. Swimming is permitted; in July and August, swimming is supervised and access is subject to a fee. Check these seasonal conditions before your trip.
Base de Loisirs offers canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and pedal boating on Lac de la Moselotte. It also rents hybrid bikes, electrically assisted bicycles and Rosalie multi-person bikes for three to six people. The rental options may change; if you have a particular type of bike or a Rosalie in mind, check what is available in advance.
Trails with different time commitments
The paved Voie Verte des Hautes-Vosges is a multi-use route along the trackbed of former railway lines and passes through Saulxures-Sur-Moselotte. Its current use as a multi-use route follows a former railway alignment. Local conditions may affect access; check the notices if you plan to use the route.
The Sentier de la scierie starts just behind the Musée du Bois and follows a stream. This easy walk, accessible to everyone, takes about 20 minutes. If you want to combine the museum and a walk, you can start at the trailhead behind the Musée du Bois.
Le Coteau du Bambois offers a different time commitment: this family discovery walk through a glacial valley takes roughly two hours. It can be explored independently, without a guide. Compared with the approximately 20-minute Sentier de la scierie, it is the longer outing; both times are estimates. Local conditions may affect access, so check the access notices before your visit.
Church, wood and local heritage
Église Saint-Prix is a 19th-century Catholic church with Neo-Gothic architecture. Its 44 stained-glass windows were designed by architect Henri Gaillemin and made by the Champigneule workshops in 1883.
At the Musée du Bois, Le Haut-Fer is the main attraction. A waterwheel powers it through a system of pulleys and belts. The museum also displays numerous tools from earlier times and old machines. You can therefore shape your visit around either the sawmill’s technical focus or the other exhibits.
Roadside crosses are also part of the local heritage: there are 29 within the municipality of Saulxures-Sur-Moselotte.
Fishing in the river and at the Étang
In the Moselotte at Saulxures-Sur-Moselotte, anglers fish for brown trout; annual, holiday-stay or day permits are available. At the Étang des Fées, you can fish for carp, tench, perch and other small fish. The two waters therefore differ both in the fish species mentioned and in the fishing permit available for the river. Check the applicable regulations before fishing.
Discover more destinations: Arches, Faucompierre, La Bresse, Baudricourt, Étival-Clairefontaine, Autrey, Raon-L'étape, Coussey.
For the regional travel overview: Vosges.
