Discover Rosbruck: Memorial Sites and the Rosselle Route

Rosbruck is a French border village on the edge of the vast Warndt Forest. Two perspectives can help you get to know the area during your stay: its history, visible at several memorial sites, and the Itinéraire des Berges de la Rosselle, which passes through Rosbruck. The sites and dates span from antiquity to memorials from the late 20th century.

Explore the Itinéraire des Berges de la Rosselle

The route passes through Rosbruck and is described as easy and suitable for families. Its surface is easy to travel on; it also includes separate sections and quiet sections shared by different users. These features give you a concrete impression of the route before you choose an activity for your stay.

The Itinéraire is suitable for road cycling, cycling on a touring or mountain bike, roller skating, running and hiking. The options range from cycling and roller skating to activities on foot. If you plan to follow the route, check its condition in advance: surfaces and conditions can change.

From the Roman road to the Saint-Hubert Chapel

The ancient Roman road from Metz to Worms passed through Rosbruck and crossed the Rosselle there. This road is a concrete point of reference for the area's early history. It dates back long before the more recent memorials, which were created or altered in 1988, 1998 and 2020.

The history of the medieval Saint-Hubert Chapel also goes back a long way: it was built by the lords of Varsberg and is documented from the 14th century onward. The historic chapel was destroyed in 1940. Its history adds another chapter to the area's past alongside the Roman road.

Monuments and their distinct stories

Rosbruck's more recent war memorial was erected in 1988 between the town hall and the church. The composition of four statues depicts the horrors of war and the despair of people who have lost everything. In 2020, the memorial was moved near the large cedar between the town hall and the church. A plaque bearing the inscription “Aux enfants de Rosbruck morts pour la Paix” was installed there.

The Peace Stele was erected on 4 July 1998 along the RD 603 at the border between Rosbruck and Naßweiler. The monolith, made of Vosges sandstone, is six metres high and weighs 7.5 tonnes. A dove is carved into its form; above it stand two children representing the youth of France and Germany. The stele thus combines a clearly identified border location with a design whose scale and figures you can distinguish as you view it.

Another memorial site is the Uhlan grave at Hochfels. It commemorates six Uhlans who were killed there on 7 August 1870 during the Battle of Rosbruck. The grave was restored in June 2017. In October of the same year, a new cross matching the original design and a marble memorial plaque were added. The dates distinguish the original act of remembrance from the later additions.

Getting there and choosing a hotel

Rosbruck is five kilometres from Forbach railway station. If you plan to travel by train for your stay, check train connections before you set off. The distance to the station is a concrete point of reference for planning your journey.

When choosing a hotel in Rosbruck, you can start by considering which themes will shape your stay: local history and its different memorial sites, or an activity on the Itinéraire des Berges de la Rosselle. This lets you choose your destination based on the interests that matter to you and include the route or historical sites in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Plaine-De-Walsch, Hayange, Haspelschiedt, Lezey, Lambach, Guerting, Volmunster, Philippsbourg

For the wider travel overview: Moselle.