The best traffic-free bike rides around Saint-Maurice-Aux-Forges

"The Mémorial du 363e Régiment d’Infanterie in Pierre-Percée is an impressive bas-relief that pays tribute to the soldiers of this regiment who died during the First World War. The monument is located on the edge of the village, right next to the municipal cemetery, at the address Chemin du Poirier d’Anne. It was designed as a powerful symbol of sacrifice and remembrance, and is classified as a historical monument.

"The Mairie de Badonviller was originally built in 1811, during the Napoleonic era, and served as the administrative centre of the young municipality. After being badly damaged during the First World War, the building was rebuilt in 1924. "Located on the edge of the Vosges in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, Badonviller is a village with a turbulent history. In the 19th century, it became a local centre thanks to the flourishing faience industry. But it was during the First World War that Badonviller became known nationwide. On 12 August 1914, the village was one of the first French municipalities to be occupied and pillaged by Bavarian troops. This event was widely reported in the French press and made Badonviller a symbol of German brutality. The village was badly damaged during the fighting and later partially rebuilt. Today, monuments, the necropolis and the townscape bear witness to this turbulent period. Badonviller is part of the 'sentiers de mémoire' — memorial routes that keep the history of the war in the Vosges alive."

"The giant Monument aux Morts de Badonviller, located next to the Église Saint-Martin, is an impressive memorial commemorating the village's inhabitants who died or went missing during the Great War (1914–1918), the Second World War, and the conflicts in Indochina (1946–1954) and Algeria (1954–1962).

"The Église Saint-Martin in Badonviller is a rare example of religious architecture in the Louis XVI style (1788). Although it is of Romanesque origin, its elegant façade is particularly striking, which is one of the few remaining examples of this style in the Lorraine region. Together with the Chapel of the Visitation in Nancy, this church forms a unique duo. The church was badly damaged during the First World War and partially rebuilt afterwards.

Harbouey, a peaceful village in the Meurthe-et-Moselle, is steeped in history. It was almost completely destroyed during the First World War, and the current Saint-Pierre church was only rebuilt in the 1920s. But Harbouey also has heritage from before that time: a 16th-century castle and characterful 17th-century houses bear witness to a deep-rooted past.

Lac de la Plaine is a picturesque lake in the Vosges, located near Celles-sur-Plaine, near the larger Lac de Pierre-Percée. The lake is an artificial water reservoir of about 0.5 million m³ and serves as a supply basin for the reservoir above.

Pierre-Percée is a small mountain village in the east of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, on the edge of the Vosges Mountains. With fewer than 100 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest communes in the region. Situated on the edge of the Plaine Valley, the village is built at the foot of the ruins of the medieval Château de Pierre-Percée, which once belonged to the Counts of Salm. The village's name refers to a 33-meter-deep well carved into the rock beneath the castle. During the Thirty Years' War, the village, like the castle, was largely destroyed. In the 20th century, Pierre-Percée regained significance with the construction of the EDF reservoir and the creation of a recreation area, which today attracts tourists for hiking, water sports, and nature experiences.

"On the outskirts of Badonviller, the M4A2 Sherman tank 'Mort-Homme' stands as a powerful monument to the liberation of the village on November 17, 1944. This tank, belonging to the 501st Régiment de Chars de Combat (RCC) of the French 2nd Armored Division, was knocked out by enemy fire during the fighting for the Vosges. The tank was preserved in exactly the same place and transformed into a memorial. 'Mort-Homme' refers to a notorious hill near Verdun from the First World War, and symbolizes the sacrifice and fighting spirit of the French troops in both world wars."