ADT - Tourisme en Alsace

The Ballons Des Vosges Regional Nature Park

The Ballons Des Vosges Regional Nature Park includes 203 towns and villages in the southern Vosges range. It covers 3000 km² straddling 4 departments (Haut-Rhin, Haute-Saône, Vosges and Territoire de Belfort) and 3 Regions (Alsace, Lorraine and Franche-Comté). It is one of the biggest Regional Nature Parks in France. It extends from the valley of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in the North to Belfort and Luxeuil-les-Bains in the South.

The Regional Nature Park has a charter which defines four objectives :

• to protect and enhance the High Vosges and their wooded slopes;
• to keep landscapes open and of high quality;
• to support economic development by enhancing its heritage;
• to contribute to cultural development.

La Maison du Parc
Tél. : 03 89 77 90 34
Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website : www.parc-ballons-vosges.fr

The park is very active in conserving the natural heritage and lands of the Vosges. Their projects also include green tourism.

For further information on…
the natural, cultural and historic heritage and landscapes, sustainable development, human relations and environment.

Park and Natura 2000

As part of the installation of the European Natura 2000 network, the ONF is also the State-appointed operator for producing the DOCOB, a document of objectives (guidelines defining site management methods) and supervisor, through contracts with local players.

Natura 2000 zones

Natura 2000 is a network of natural sites throughout Europe, identified for the rarity or fragility of wild species, plants or animals, and their habitats.

Alsace's wealth of valuable natural environments must be acknowledged.
The NATURA operation is intended to maintain or restore habitats of community interest to a high level of conservation.

Alsace region contributes to Natura 2000 a total of 60 900 ha for special areas of conservation (SAC – habitats) and 110 200 ha for special protection areas (SPA – birds), i.e. 7.4% and 13.4% respectively of the regional territory and 15.6% if overlaps between two area limits is taken into consideration. 31 Natura 2000 sites (20 SACs and 11 SPAs) make up the Natura 2000 network in Alsace.

Remark :

The sites described are classified by the fragility and diversity of their habitat. It is therefore vital to behave in a responsible manner to avoid threatening the survival of the fauna and flora concerned.
The Alsace Regional Environment Department (DIREN) has information about Natura 2000 in the Haut-Rhin on its website, part of which is included below.

Contact :

• DIREN ALSACE
  8 rue Seyboth
  67080 STRASBOURG
  Telephone : 03.88.22.73.30
  Telecopie : 03.88.22.73.31
  Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Antenne DIREN Alsace COLMAR - Plan de Colmar
  Service de l'Eau & des Milieux Aquatiques (Water and Aquatic environments)
  Service de la Protection et de la Gestion de l'Espace (Area protection and management)
  56, Avenue de la République
  68000 Colmar
  Telephone : 03.89.20.38.70
  Telecopie : 03.89.20.38.71
  Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

As part of the installation of the European Natura 2000 network, the ONF is also the State-appointed operator for producing the DOCOB, a document of objectives (guidelines defining site management methods) and supervisor, through contracts with local players.

NATURA 2000 in the Haut-Rhin

The High Vosges (SAC/SPA)

A total of 9 species of birds of community interest nest within the Haut-Rhin High Vosges SPA which covers 23 931 hectares. These include the umbrella species, the Capercaillie, which is regressing severely all over Europe - today there are only fifty pairs in these mountains. The main ornithological issues are localised in populated areas which are extensively exploited or else have been abandoned for centuries.

Rhin-Ried-Bruch sites (SAC/SPA)

The forest cover of the main bed of the Rhine in Upper Alsace, houses a wide diversity of populations, the most remarkable being linden forests with White sedge undergrowth. Whatever their type, alluvial woods always have a complex architecture, an extraordinary diversity of deciduous trees, considerable abundance of lianas, and trees which are spectacular for their height or the girth of their trunks. Since the groundwater level is deep and the alluvium is coarse, the Southern Rhine hosts mainly dry natural habitats, notably dry grass meadows rich in orchids. In the Haut-Rhin Ried area, the groundwater reaches the surface and with the flooding of the Ill this has created some remarkable wetlands with the most remarkable network of "phreatic rivers" in Europe and many fish species of community interest.

The Hardt farming area (SPA)

The vast expanses of grain fields in the dry Hardt host birds originating in the steppes of Central Europe and Mediterranean sub-desert environments such as the European Stonecurlew, the Little Bustard, Montague's Harrier and the Rosy Pipit.

Ried from Colmar to Sélestat (SPA)

The Ill Ried has been considered as an internationally important wetland since the 1950s because of its ornithological wealth and its role in the migration of many wetland species. 8 birds of community interest nest here, including the White Stork, the Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Kingfisher and Middle-spotted Woodpecker. These birds which nest in the Ried are joined by many overwintering species: birds from upland grass meadows and steppes come to feed in the meadows, ducks and wading birds from the Northern plains and Scandinavia rest on the vast lake formed by end of winter floods or take advantage of the non-frozen phreatic river waters.

The Sundgau, region of pools (SAC)

The Sundgau, a region of pools, has been named a site of community importance because of the many particular habitats and wetland species found on the banks of its pools, over an area of about 200 ha. There are 7 habitats and 7 animal and plant species of European interest inventoried here. Artificial constructions, under relatively hostile ecological conditions (heavy, saturated soils), the pools concentrate original and often rare fauna and flora.

The Hardt Nord (SAC)

The Hardt Nord site is 5 700 ha of forests, mostly public. Here there are groups unique in France: "galio-carpinetum" oak-hornbeam stands, with many more or less wild, more or less natural grassy clearings. These dry grass meadows host some rare species. Another particularity : Mediterranean plants can be found beside Central European plants.

The Vosges foothills (SAC)

The Vosges foothills comprise a limestone strip between the siliceous mountains and the alluvial plain. This strip has vines and orchards, but also natural habitats which are unique in Alsace and rare in Europe as a whole: karstic chalk grasslands, heathland and dry meadows with Brome grass and orchids and, at the edge, calcicole beech stands with orchids. This 472 ha site with 11 natural habitats, 3 in priority with hot, dry rock fauna with distinctly Mediterranean inclinations, such as the Green lizard and the Praying Mantis, which reach the easternmost limit of distribution here.

Siliceous promontories (SAC)

From Bourbach-le-Haut to Ribeauvillé, the Alsatian edge of the Vosges has twenty siliceous promontories, oriented East-South-East. They are natural openings in the forest cover, where steppe plants and sometimes glacial relics can be found. They are surrounded by light oak stands and warm sycamores. These thousand year old clearings and their forest belt cover 188 ha among the siliceous promotories.

The Alsatian Jura (SAC)

Ten percent of the so-called Alsatian Jura, some 530 ha, consisting of seven islands, has been selected to be part of the Natura 2000 network. It consists of warm, dry grasslands, mountain pastures and wild wetlands as well as the succession of woodland which is characteristic of the contrasting conditions that a limestone mountain reveals in a cold, wet climate. 9 natural habitats, of which 4 have priority and 6 animal species led to this designation.

The Doller valley (SAC)

In spite of its proximity to Mulhouse and various developments, the Doller river has retained an alluvial dynamic, typical of rivers with mobile beds, for most of its course. It presents the riverbank habitat successions typical of good conservation areas. There are 10 natural habitats of community interest and 6 animal species which have led to the designation of slightly more than a thousand hectares, characteristic of a river flowing through a plain.

The Largue valley (SAC)

The river Largue, riverbank woodlands and various meadows along the major bed constitute a high quality unit, covering just under a thousand hectares, the development of five natural habitats and three animal species listed in appendices 1 and 2 of the directive.

Nature reserves

There are three nature reserves in Upper Alsace :

• the grand ventron range;
• Petite Camargue Alsacienne;
• the Frankenthal-Missheimlé nature reserve owned by the Haut-Rhin department. Located in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park which oversees its management.

You will find a detailed description of Nature Reserves on the French nature reserves website :
http://www.reserves-naturelles.org/

What is a Nature Reserve ?

A nature reserve is :

• a natural area protecting a remarkable natural heritage through appropriate regulations which also take the local context into account;
• an instrument reserved for important heritage issues on a regional, national or international level: areas, species and rare or characteristic geological objects, functional and representative natural environments;
• a long-term protection tool for future generations;
• a territory managed for conservation according to a plan, by a local specialist organization and a competent team;
• a site with its management directed and evaluated by a consensus, particularly through a consultative committee combining local actors;
• a place for raising awareness in the protection of biodiversity, nature and environmental education;
• a local sustainable development centre.

Warning :

A nature reserve is, by its very nature, fragile, and it attracts large numbers of visitors because of its wild, contrasting charm. It is important to behave in a "responsible" manner and respect the natural environment.

Frankenthal-Missheimlé Nature Reserve.

The reserve is famous for its markedly alpine character and the diversity of flora it contains.

You can also find the Peregrine falcon, common Raven and Boreal owl.

The presentation of the Nature Reserve includes information about ecosystems, regulations and management of the reserve (including basic information about the Nature Reserve for users) and public information on protecting the natural heritage.

Public outings, school and school-oriented presentations and the design of educational tools and communications are included in the programme. For example, educational fact sheets and an audiovisual montage about the nature reserve: "Nature Emotion" (“Exciting Nature”).

Information :

Parc Naturel régional des ballons des Vosges (The Ballons Des Vosges Regional Nature Park)
Bureau des espaces naturels (Natural areas office)
2, place des verriers
68820 WILDENSTEIN
Tel. : 03 89 82 22 10
Fax : 03 89 82 22 19
Website : www.hautes-vosges.reserves-naturelles.org
Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Manager : SCHWOEHRER Christian

Tourist villages

"Stations vertes" ("Green Resorts")

A "Station Verte de Vacances" ("Green resort") must be naturally attractive to people looking for a country holiday: river, lake, body of water, natural areas, forest, picturesque site, etc. and provide holiday accommodation for tourists in a conserved environment.

These resorts guarantee access to nature and only include villages with fewer than 6 000 inhabitants. They protect and develop the natural, cultural and tourist heritage of the resort and its surroundings.

Green resorts are tourist destinations which take environmental problems into account and to which tourists want to return. The French federation of green resorts awards an "ecotourism prize" for the best initiatives.

Full information at :

Website : www.stationsvertes.com
Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel. : 03 80 54 10 50

Green Resorts in the Haut-Rhin

• RIBEAUVILLE, HUNAWIHR, THANNENKIRCH
  0 820 360 922
• Haute Thur valley :
  FELLERING, GEISHOUSE, GOLDBACH-ALTENBACH, HUSSEREN WESSERLING, KRUTH, MALMERSPACH, MITZACH, MOLLAU, MOOSCH, ODEREN, RANSPACH, SAINT AMARIN, STORCKENSOHN, URBES
  03 89 82 13 90
• Val d'Argent :
  SAINTE MARIE AUX MINES, SAINTE CROIX AUX MINES, LIEPVRE, ROMBACH LE FRANC, AUBURE
  03 89 58 80 50
• Rouffach :
  GUEBERSCHWIHR, HATTSTATT, PFAFFENHEIM, ROUFFACH
  03 89 78 53 15
• Florival :
  BERGHOLTZ, BERGOLTZ ZELL, BUHL, HARTMANNSWILLER, ISSENHEIM, RIMBACH PRES GUEBWILLER, RIMBACH ZELL, WUENHEIM
  03 89 76 10 63
• The Noble valley 
  OSENBACH, SOULZMATT, WESTHALTEN, GUNDHOLSHEIM
  03 89 47 00 01
• The Munster valley :
  BREITENBACH, ESCBACH AU VAL, GRIESBACH AU VAL, GUNSBACH, HOHROD, LUTTENBACH, METZERAL, MITTLACH, MUNSTER, MUHLBACH, SONDERNACH, SOULZBACH LES BAINS, SOULTZEREN, STOSSWIHR, WASSEBOURG, WIHR
  03 89 77 31 80