Lusse: Village Church, History and Hiking

When choosing a destination, Lusse offers concrete ways to explore local history and go hiking. Highlights include the parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the George family grave cross and the named circular trail to the Chaume de Lusse. There is also a regional hiking trail connected with the history of the First World War. This gives you a range of places, themes and routes to consider when planning your trip.

The parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste

The parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste serves the community of Lusse. It stands in the centre of the village on a rise and is reached by a converging staircase with two flights. Its location and stairway entrance are among the distinctive features of this village centre. Those interested in the village’s history will also find a point of reference here for two building phases: the present church and its predecessor.

The present church building was constructed in 1830 because the earlier church had become too small. That older church had been consecrated on 24 June 1750. The dates refer to different events: 1750 marks the consecration of the earlier church, while 1830 marks the construction of the present building. Together, they tell the story of a change prompted by the needs of the community for more space.

The George family grave cross

The George family grave cross is located in the Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice Chapel in Basse-Merlusse, Lusse. It is made of wrought iron on a pink sandstone base. Geometric patterns, scrollwork and hammered floral decoration define its design. The description brings together its materials and ornamentation: the contrast between iron and sandstone, and the geometric and floral details.

The cross was erected around 1859. It was probably moved when the cemetery at the church in Lusse was redesigned. The approximate date of its construction and the cautiously worded account of its later relocation are two separate aspects of its history. For anyone exploring local history, the cross complements the parish church’s building history with a distinct object and a different style of design.

Hiking on the Chaume de Lusse

The “Circuit pédestre - Par la Chaume de Lusse” is a circular trail in Lusse. It is 13.5 kilometres long, has 462 metres of elevation gain and is of moderate difficulty. As a hike in the mid-mountains, it is marked with red circles. Its length, elevation gain and difficulty rating give you several points of reference for fitting the hike into your plans. Route details and markings may change, so check them again before setting out.

A regional trail exploring the history of the First World War

The regional hiking network also includes the “Sentier militaire de la Grande Guerre”. This seven-kilometre trail begins at the Col de Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. Remains of the First World War front line can be discovered between Haïcot and Chaume de Lusse; this section reaches almost 1,000 metres in elevation. Allow around three hours for the hike, and note that a good level of physical fitness is required. The route thus combines scenery and historical traces with specific time and fitness requirements.

The two hiking options differ in the planning details provided: for the circular trail in Lusse, the route length, elevation gain and moderate difficulty are specified; for the Sentier militaire, the focus is on the approximate duration and required level of physical fitness. To make your choice, you can weigh these details against your interest in local history or hiking. The church, grave cross and trails offer different perspectives on Lusse and the regional hiking network.

Discover more destinations: Igney, Hennezel, Vagney, Champdray, Taintrux, Chantraine, Celles-Sur-Plaine, Sapois.

View the regional travel guide: Vosges.