Lorraine Regional Natural Park

The Regional Natural Park of Lorraine (French Parc naturel régional de Lorraine ) is located in the French region of Lorraine and extending over the départements Meuse, Meurthe -et -Moselle and Moselle. It consists of two separate areas. The western section is bounded by the rivers Meuse and Moselle rivers and ranges in the south to about the latitude of Nancy, in the north to that of Metz. The eastern section comprises the area between seille and Saar west of Sarrebourg.

Park management

The park office is located in Pont -à -Mousson (48 ° 54 ' 28 " N, 6 ° 3' 21" O48.9077777777786.0558333333333Koordinaten: 48 ° 54 ' 28 " N, 6 ° 3' 21" E ). The nature reserve was established in 1974, covers an area of approximately 220,000 hectares and has a catchment area of about 72,000 inhabitants, spread over 193 municipalities. Eight access points are associated with the park, which are outside of the park:

West section:

• COMMERCY
• Jarny
• Pont-à- Mousson
• Saint- Mihiel
• Toul

Eastern Section:

• Château- Salins
• Dieuze
• Sarrebourg

Landscapes

In the western portion of the ridge Côtes de Meuse, which runs along the east of the Meuse, covered by dense forests, while the ridge to the valley of the Moselle (Côtes de Moselle) rather agrarian, is mainly used for wine making. In between are the striking levels of Woëvre and Haye, who are particularly influenced by their calcareous subsoil. Here also some wetlands around the Lac de Madine stored.

In the eastern portion dominated by the Lake District Pays des Étangs with the great lakes Etang de Lindre, the Grand Etang de Mittersheim and Etang de Gondrexange, which is also on the ship channel Canal de la Marne au Rhin and the Saar passage branching off in the lake, flows through. Further west the landscape Salzgau ( Pays du Saulnois ) that - is dominated by the former salt mining - according to their names.

Habitats

The park includes a large number of wetlands with abundant rivers, but also standing waters such as lakes, ponds and swamps. Noteworthy is the presence of saline ponds. Encouraged the growth of endemic form of the European samphire ( salicorne de Lorraine ). But even bog plants, reeds and wetlands provide a rich fauna an ideal habitat. 34 % of the territory is covered by forest, with beech and oak forests dominate. The larger planes are covered with Kalktrockenrasen and offer extra heat -seeking plants such as orchids and gentian plants and insects such as the praying mantis, the mountain cicada and reptiles such as snakes and lizards favorable living conditions. Former military installations and caves allow numerous species of bats to spend several life cycles.

Attractions

• Hill Montsec

• Castle of Fort Pierre

• Aqueduct over the River Moselle

The Etang de Lindre

The Roman aqueduct ...

The Moselle at Pont-à- Mousson