Protected natural areas
in the Sarreguemines Confluences Destination !The preservation of protected natural areas is crucial to maintaining biodiversity and essential ecosystems. These areas provide refuge for threatened species and enable important scientific research. They also contribute to human well-being by providing ecosystem services. Protecting these areas requires effective policies, awareness-raising and cooperation from everyone!
Our protected natural areas
in the Sarreguemines Confluences Destination !
⚠️ These areas are protected, so it is important to respect the following instructions on sites accessible to the public:
🍃 Respect the paths,
🍃 Keep dogs on a lead,
🍃 Do not come in a motor vehicle,
🍃 Do not pick plants,
🍃 Do not throw away rubbish.
The Kolmer grasslands & wetlands
at the heart of the Sarreguemines Confluences GolfLocated at the heart of the Sarreguemines Confluences Golf Course, the Kolmer lawns and wetlands offer golfers and visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature. These natural environments, which include lawns, ponds and woodland, are home to a remarkable and fascinating array of flora and fauna. The cohabitation of wet and dry environments creates exceptional biological diversity.
The site is remarkable for its marl grasslands, which are unique in north-east France and highly sensitive to climatic variations. Waterlogged by clay in winter and dry in summer, these grasslands are home to rare plants such as marsh epipactis and meadow scrub. In spring, they are adorned with violet flowers such as the Dyer's Cap. The site is home to 69 species of bird, including the Red-backed Shrike and the Kingfisher, as well as rare species such as the Stump Lizard, the Yellow-bellied Sounder and the Great Crested Newt.
Natura 2000 site: the marsh
in IpplingThe Ippling marsh, located between the communes of Sarreguemines, Woustviller and Ippling, is a 54-hectare complex of wetlands comprising an alkaline peat bog, a marsh and wet meadows. Recognised at European level (Natura 2000), it is home to the rare Liparis de Loesel orchid and a significant number of butterflies, such as the Swamp Copper and the Succise's Damier. For more than 20 years, the Communauté d'Agglomération Sarreguemines Confluences (CASC) has been working with the Lorraine Conservatory of Natural Spaces to promote and protect this exceptional site.
Marly grasslands
in GrosbliederstroffThe 8-hectare marl grasslands on the Grosbliederstroff communal estate were protected in 2007 as compensation for the damage caused by the creation of the Sarreguemines ring road. This site is home to the rare plant association Chloroperfoliatae-Brometum erecti, recognised as being of European interest. It also protects a variety of birds, such as the Red-backed Shrike, and butterflies, such as the Whip-poor-will and the Succise's Damier.
Wet meadow hosting the Large Blue butterfly
in WittringThe wet meadow site with Dusky Large Blue butterflies, located in the commune of Wittring, is a complex of wet meadows hosting the Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis), the host plant of the Dusky Large Blue butterfly, a rare species of European interest. The decline of this butterfly is mainly due to changes in agricultural practices, which have led to the disappearance of its host plant and the fragmentation of its habitats. Since 2019, the CASC, in partnership with the Conservatory, has been conducting a "Green and Blue Network" initiative to protect the meadows with Great Burnet and promote adapted agricultural practices. The goal is to create a network of habitats favorable to the survival of the Dusky Large Blue butterfly.
Wet meadows & lawns
in SarreinsmingThe wet grasslands and meadows at Sarreinsming, covering 6 hectares, are renowned for their mesophilic upright brome grass. This site is home to a variety of orchids, such as the Burnt and Frog Orchids, as well as a butterfly of interest, the Whip-poor-will. The meadows of the Sarre are home to the Meadow Meadow-rue and are a potential habitat for the Dusky Large Blue butterflies. The main risk to these areas is overgrowth, which threatens the diversity of flora and fauna in these open habitats, traditionally maintained by extensive farming practices. It is therefore crucial to maintain suitable farming activities to prevent overgrowth and preserve these valuable habitats.
The wet meadows
in GrundvillerThe wet meadows of Grundviller were protected by the SNCF as compensation for the destruction of a meadow with Field Scabious during the construction of the TGV line. Thanks to this initiative, 3 hectares of meadow have been preserved. The two sites in Grundviller, Wiesenaht and Stribbahr, host a remarkable floristic diversity, including Marsh Clubmoss, Broad-leaved Cottongrass, and Compressed Bulrush. Additionally, a population of the Large Copper butterfly resides there.
The wetlands
of Val-de-GuéblangeThe Val-de-Guéblange protected sites cover a total area of 27 hectares, encompassing three distinct wetland ecosystems: a wet meadow (Grossmichelsbrunnen), a marsh (Barbason), and a pond (Schwartzkloster). These diverse habitats highlight the importance of preserving wetlands to maintain ecological balance and biodiversity. Among the emblematic species, the meadow scabious occupies a special place due to its widespread presence. These areas also provide essential refuges for a variety of other plant and animal species, contributing to the richness and health of the surrounding ecosystems. They are also part of the Natura 2000 site: Valleys of the Sarre, Albe and Isch - Francaltroff marshes.
Forest & wetlands
in SarralbeThe Sarralbe site is an area of woodland undergoing natural development, standing out as an island of old woodland in a context where most of the surrounding area is given over to silviculture. Its preservation and character were enhanced by a bequest to the conservatory around ten years ago. This legacy has allowed the area to develop freely, preserving an ancient and diverse forest ecosystem, providing a crucial habitat for many plant and animal species.
- ⚠️ This site is not suitable for public access.
Meadow & forest complex
in Saint-Jean-RohrbachThe Saint Jean Rohrbach site represents a natural heritage of great value, where meadows and forests meet, a combination that is becoming increasingly rare in a context marked by the intensification of environmental practices. Preserving these areas is of crucial importance in providing secure habitats for local wildlife populations, thereby helping to maintain regional biodiversity. The grassland is home to a species of European importance, the true bedstraw, as well as supporting a diversity of insects essential to the ecological balance of the region. By conserving these ecosystems, we are helping to ensure the health and stability of local natural environments.
Lempich Marsh & former railway line
in KappelkingerThe Lempich Marsh in Kappelkinger is one of the first protected sites, a wetland that has been preserved for almost twenty years. It is home to a rich biodiversity, including the Incarnate Orchid and Blond Sedge, playing a crucial role in preserving local biodiversity and the regional ecological balance. In addition, protection measures have been taken for the former railway line, now transformed into a footpath, providing refuges for wildlife in the face of the increasing intensification of human activities.
The Conservatory of Natural Areas of Lorraine
This page was created in partnership with the Conservatory of Natural Areas of Lorraine.
The conservatory's website is available only in French.
The Conservatory of Natural Areas of Lorraine is an organization dedicated to protecting the natural environments of the region. Their main mission is to safeguard the fragile ecosystems of Lorraine through concrete actions in the field. Their team actively works on habitat restoration and monitors endangered species. Additionally, they raise public awareness about the importance of nature through educational programs, field trips, and community events. Comprised of passionate experts devoted to environmental preservation, they collaborate closely with local stakeholders, government institutions, and NGOs to promote sustainable management of natural resources. Join them in their commitment to preserving Lorraine's natural richness and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come!
NATURA 2000
in the Sarreguemines Confluences DestinationWhat does Natura 2000 mean? The Natura 2000 network is a European network of natural sites aimed at protecting remarkable species and habitats representative of European biodiversity, while maintaining socio-economic activities. In France, there are 1,753 Natura 2000 sites.
Valleys of the Sarre, Albe, and Isch - Francaltroff Marshes
The site "Valleys of the Sarre, Albe, and Isch - Francaltroff Marshes" is a fragmented site located on the Lorraine plateau adjacent to the Northern Vosges, between Fénétrange, Drulingen, Sarre-Union, Francaltroff, and Sarralbe. The Sarre River originates from the confluence of the Red Sarre and White Sarre rivers which meet at Hermelange. The site harbors an exceptional mosaic of wetland habitats.
This richness and diversity support the presence of remarkable plant species, including several regionally protected species such as Snake's Tongue, Broad-leaved Cottongrass, Marsh Cinquefoil, Peucedanum-leaved Water-dropwort, Compressed Bulrush, and Bog Stitchwort. Nationally, the site boasts an extraordinary population—the only one in the Lorraine plain—of Bog Sedge. This wealth also extends to the fauna, as the site is home to no fewer than five invertebrate species listed in Annex II of the "Habitats-Fauna-Flora" directive.
This site covers the municipalities of Diffembach-lès-Hellimer, Erstroff, Francaltroff, Hazembourg, Hellimer, Hilsprich, Insming, Kappelkinger, Léning, Nelling, Petit-Tenquin, Sarralbe, Val-de-Guéblange, Veckersviller, Willerwald.
Ippling Moor, an alkaline bog
Located a few kilometers west of Sarreguemines, the "Ippling Moor" site covers 54 hectares at the bottom of a valley bordered by woodlands. These wooded screens and the lack of road access have allowed it to preserve its ecological and scenic qualities. The Alcon Blue butterfly, associated with Field Scabious, benefits from the maintenance of meadows with Autumn Crocus and Meadow Fescue, or from the return of meadows to land formerly cultivated. The Marsh Fritillary, a butterfly that favors wet meadows, is also present. However, monitoring of the populations of these two species reveals their extremely precarious status. While these two threatened Lepidoptera maintain their place within the site, they should not overshadow less emblematic species that constitute the "ordinary biodiversity". In fact, the valley is home to no less than 202 species of butterflies that take advantage of the abundance of flowering plants and the mosaic of habitats present there.
The interactive map
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