The Lac des Perches
The Lac des Perches is located at the foot of the Tête des Perches (1,222 m), behind Le Rouge Gazon, in the municipality of Rimbach-près-Masevaux.
Dating back to the last glacial period, the lake was raised with a dam in the 16th century to supply forges and then a textile factory.
Its name is Sternsee (Lake of the Star). The French name comes from a misinterpretation of the local dialect, because it was originally Lac des Bers, “Bers” being the name of the peaks surrounding it. But “Bers” became “Bärsch” in German and then “perche” (“pole”) in French.
Accessible from Le Rouge Gazon for confirmed and sure-footed hikers!
The Lac d’Alfeld
is a dam lake located very close to the Ballon d'Alsace, in the municipality of Sewen.
Covering an area of about 10 hectares, it is an artificial lake built between 1884 and 1887 and reinforced by an embankment in front of the dam in 1895. The dam is used to regulate flooding by retaining part of the flood water and irrigate the valley in summer. The impressive Lac d'Alfeld dam stands at the very bottom of the Doller valley (Masevaux - Alsace), known as the “valley of lakes”, in the middle of rocks, waterfalls, and dark forests.
Its name comes from the pasture which was submerged when the lake was created.
Fishing is allowed. Swimming is prohibited.
The Grand and Petit Neuweiher lakes
The 2 Neuweihers are neighbouring water bodies of unequal size only accessible on foot, which makes them so charming! They belonged to the Masevaux Chapter, which rented its "water right" to the local forges and the forest estates which produced the charcoal necessary for this industry.
Ideally located in the heart of the forest, hiking is a must! The Auberge du Neuweiher and the Ferme auberge du Gresson offer rooms and dormitories to spend the night.
Accessible from Le Rouge Grass for good walkers during a 4-hour hike with an IGN map.
Fishing activities on site (swimming prohibited, at your own risk).
Other access: by foot only, about 1 hour's walk from Rimbach-près-Masevaux or 2 hours from the village of Oberbruck.
The Lac de Sewen
This lake is one of the rarest overdeepened glacial lakes in the Alsatian Vosges and the most intact according to geologists!
Overrun by its peat, the lake has 6 hectares, compared to more than 30 at the end of the 14th century.
The fauna and flora are protected, the establishment of beavers and carnivorous plant species - such as the drosera - makes it a place of study for botanists and zoologists.
Lit will-o'-the-wisps can sometimes be seen in hot and humid weather on the peaty edges.
Fishing activities and walks around the lake. Swimming forbidden!
Access: from the Ballon d'Alsace towards Sewen or 15-minute walk from the village, car park on the Place de l'Eglise, Sewen Lake circuit.
The Moselle Valley has many ponds. Here is a small non-exhaustive list:
Bussang: Le Thillot:
The ponds of Aiguier and Lambolez The pond of Chaillon
The pond of the Sources The pond of the Chaumes
The pond Jean
The pond of the Drumont
St-Maurice sur Moselle: Ramonchamp :
The pond of Presles The Black ponds
The pond of Morteville The Black pond
The ponds of the Neuf-Bois
Fresse sur Moselle: Le Ménil :
The pond of the Frac The pond of Le Ménil
Rupt sur Moselle:
The Fenot pond
So many places where you can stroll, walk, and fish (see modalities in fishing activity) alone, with family or as a couple!
