Franzosenwiesen Wetlands

A nice spot to relax

Unique landscape worth a visit. Wet meadows and ponds with rare flora and fauna. The entire circular walk Franzosenwiesen is highly recommended.

Due to the drought, the forest areas around the Franzosenwiesen were unfortunately heavily cultivated. There is a lot missing in "forest" now.

Until the 18th century, the area known as the "Brücher" was a bog. In 1725, Landgrave Karl gave it to Huguenot settlers from Schwabendorf for use. The moor has been preserved in the western part of the so-called Franzosenwiesen. The eastern part was drained and used as a hay meadow. The Huguenots were obliged to fill up all the barns standing there with the harvested hay for feeding game; they were only allowed to take the remaining hay and moss with them to Schwabendorf.

As a result of the abolition of feudal privileges in the Landgraviate of Hessen-Kassel, the Franzosenwiesen became allodial property of the Schwabendorf farmers from 1848 onwards.