Creutzwald: Mining History, Lake and Nature

Creutzwald combines an industrial heritage with a lake, walking paths and protected natural areas. When planning your stay, you can choose between different themes: mining history, a circular walk around Lac de Creutzwald or nature. Historic sites and trails offer different points of interest from the landscape around the lake.

Industrial history and historic sites

The Mine de la Houve was the last coal mine in operation in France. By the end of its operation in 2004, it had produced 106 million tonnes of coal. These two facts highlight different aspects of its history: its place in France and the scale of its production.

The Chemin Historique brings the heritage of the glass, iron and coal industries within reach of walkers. This part of the historical experience therefore focuses on three industrial traditions rather than mining alone. The trail provides a thematic setting for a walk centred on Creutzwald’s industrial history.

The Église du centre also has a clearly defined building history: a stone church was built at its present site in 1730; in 1911, the church took on its present form. For a visit focused on history, this timeline adds another point of interest in Creutzwald alongside its industrial history.

The Médiathèque Intercommunale du Warndt is open to everyone and admission is free. If you would like to include a visit in your day’s plans, check the current opening hours in advance, as visiting arrangements may change.

Lac de Creutzwald and natural areas

Lac de Creutzwald covers an area of 12 hectares. A 2.5-kilometre circular path runs around the lake. These two figures help answer different questions: the number of hectares describes the lake’s area, while the number of kilometres gives the length of the circular path. This makes it possible to include a walk of a specific distance in your day’s plans.

The Marais de la Bisten is a wetland and a haven for remarkable biodiversity. It is one of the protected natural areas within the municipality of Creutzwald. The Île aux canards is also a nature reserve; many bird species breed there. The comparison highlights the wetland character of the Marais, while the Île aux canards is noted for the breeding of bird species.

Before visiting the Marais de la Bisten, find out about the current access conditions. Local management and access conditions may change.

Walks and leisure

Selected hiking trails in Creutzwald are included in the departmental plan of walking and hiking routes and are of ecological and tourist interest. The MOSL-certified walking trails are a selection of the most representative routes. Together with the Chemin Historique and the circular path around the lake, they offer different themes for walks: the industrial past, route classifications or a specific distance.

The circular route around the lake can be understood in terms of its 2.5-kilometre length; the Chemin Historique, by contrast, focuses on the heritage of the glass, iron and coal industries. The selected hiking trails in the departmental plan and the MOSL-certified walking trails provide further guidance when choosing a focus for your walk. You can match the themes that interest you most to the kind of stay you have planned.

Fishing is also among the leisure activities in Creutzwald and is supported by the Association de Pêche l'ablette. If you would like to include it in your plans, ask the association about the current participation requirements.

Discover other destinations: Roussy-Le-Village, Petit-Réderching, Destry, Volstroff, Buding, Kœnigsmacker, Gorze, Grindorff-Bizing.

For the overview of the wider region: Moselle.