Tour of Northern Deodatie (Vosges, Meurthe-et-Moselle)

Starting in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, the birthplace of America, the trail first passes through Nompatelize and Saint-Remy, sites of the 1914 battles, before reaching Raon-l'Étape, gateway to the Plaine Valley, renowned for its timber rafting. The route then climbs towards the Pierre-Percée site, whose lake with its sprawling arms evokes Scandinavian fjords amidst pink sandstone. Following the Celles-sur-Plaine Valley to Vexaincourt, one discovers unspoiled nature. Passing through Moussey recalls the poignant history of the Vosges Resistance, while Moyenmoutier impresses with its majestic Benedictine abbey, a jewel of the "Croix des Abbayes" (Cross of Abbeys). The return to Saint-Dié via Denipaire winds between green valleys and orchards, offering a perfect synthesis between low mountain terrain, monastic history and the freshness of the large forest lakes.

Northern Déodatie, a pivotal territory between the Vosges and Meurthe-et-Moselle departments, is a land of pink sandstone and deep forests shaped by industrial and spiritual history. Around Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, the birthplace of America, heritage is revealed through gems like the Étival-Clairefontaine Abbey, a testament to medieval monastic power. The landscapes are defined by the Ormont and Madeleine massifs, offering spectacular views of the blue line of the Vosges Mountains. Nature is omnipresent, between the Meurthe and Plaine valleys, where hiking trails wind through fir trees and remarkable rock formations. The crafts of crystal and textiles long thrived in these valleys, leaving an industrial legacy now transformed into cultural trails.

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