リュビーヌのおすすめMTBライド

Frankenbourg Castle has been officially closed since April 2025 due to rockfall. You can only get within a few hundred meters. Unfortunately, due to the dense forest, you can't see it. Instead, I recommend the southern Chateau de Saint Ulrich, which is a lovely hike from Ribeauville.

National Necropolis

very beautiful viewpoint

Nestled in a valley between wooded hills, this peaceful village is a gateway to the Vosges. During the First World War, it was close to the front, which is still visible in the area via bunkers, trenches and memorials. Today, Ban-de-Laveline is a popular base for hikers and cyclists, with routes to the Col d’Hermanpaire, the Spitzemberg and the nature reserve around the Tête de Raves. In the village itself, you will find a sober Église Saint-Laurent, a classic Monument aux Morts, and a peaceful atmosphere that invites you to explore.

This military cemetery at the top of Côte 627 commemorates the fierce battles of 1915 between French and German troops in the Vosges. The necropolis was built between 1921 and 1923 and contains 2,346 graves, 1,382 of which are in ossuaries. At its heart is a monumental memorial – a “phare” or lighthouse – designed by Émile Bachelet, visible from the entire valley. The site was strategically crucial: on 22 June 1915, German troops took the heights, but on 8 and 9 July the French recaptured the terrain.

Col de Mandray (694 m) is a quiet and steady climb in the Vosges, ideal for a relaxing ride or as a warm-up for more difficult cols. From Fraize you climb over 4.5 km with an average gradient of 4.2%. The road is well passable, with little traffic and beautiful views over the Meurthe valley. A hidden gem for those who love quiet, natural climbs.

If you are coming from the direction of the Col de Bonhomme or the Route de Cretes, this is the best alternative to the busy yellow road. Going the other way... phew 😁

Instead of driving down the Col de Bonhomme on the yellow road, there is an option to drive into the "forest" further up the Route de Cretes in the bend. You drive on tarred roads through the forest to the Col de Mandray. Simply great...