オテルフィンゲンの湖・トップ20

An experience outdoors in nature

Great place for biking

Easy and relaxed cycling

The ponds are fenced with cattle wire and sometimes a few buffaloes graze on the pond pasture.

Beautifully landscaped ponds from ProNatura

The ponds as well as the pond surroundings have not yet fully integrated into the surrounding nature since 2021, the pond water is not yet 100% clear, water or pond plants were only sporadically present during my visit, lush plant growth in and around the ponds is still missing.

The Franzosenweiher is located in a depression between the northern slope of the Heitersberg and the Sandbühl hill, in the forest between Spreitenbach and Dietikon. The pond was originally created by monks from the Wettingen monastery for trout farming. This is where the original name "Chlosterweiher" comes from, which can still be found on old maps today. In 1799, Napoleon's troops set up camp in the Baden region and also in Spreitenbach. The French supposedly emptied the pond before they left in order to steal the fish. This gave rise to the local name Franzosenweiher. Today the pond is a nature reserve and an ecologically valuable habitat for amphibians.

Consisting of the Upper and Lower Katzensee, there is a small seaside resort with a restaurant. In the idyllic landscape around the lake you can often observe a variety of birds.