Rhodes on the Étang du Stock: Nature, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Rhodes lies on the shore of the 750-hectare Étang du Stock. The village combines a lakeside setting with a varied range of excursions: at the Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix, wildlife and rural cultural heritage take centre stage, while trails and activities on the lake offer further highlights. When planning your stay, you can first decide whether you would rather visit the animal park, walk a particular route or spend time on the water. This distinction can help you choose Rhodes to suit your travel interests and then find a hotel for your stay.

Wildlife and cultural heritage at the animal park

The Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix covers 130 hectares and comprises five areas. More than 1,500 animals from 130 species live there in naturalistic, semi-free-ranging conditions. The safari train adds to this experience with a one-hour expedition through more than 3 kilometres of protected nature covering 50 hectares. As opening arrangements may vary seasonally, check which activities are planned for your intended visit before you go.

The visitor attractions also include the Ferme des Vents, which is open to visitors. It introduces traditional breeds of domestic animals as well as environmentally sustainable farming practices. The Maison d’Yvonne is located at the Ferme des Vents: built in 1723, the house is considered a traditional building from the Moselle region and a testament to its rural cultural heritage. As the programme may change, it is worth checking the visitor information before planning your visit.

Walking trails between the village and the lake

Two trails offer different lengths and routes. The Circuit de Quartier des Paquis is an 8-kilometre family loop through fields and forests along the Étang du Stock. The Circuit du Quartier des Fleurs is 5 kilometres long, passes through Rhodes and leads to the Quartier des Oiseaux. The Fleurs route is therefore shorter, while the Paquis route is a loop through fields and forests by the lake. When comparing the routes, you can consider both the distance and the route itself: one passes through the village to a named destination, while the other follows the lakeside landscape as a family loop.

The village’s history can also be read in its lakeside setting. Raising the water level of the Étang du Stock in 1935 meant that the houses below the church in Rhodes had to be demolished and rebuilt at the crossroads. As a result, the church in Rhodes now stands on the lakeshore. In the historic centre of Rhodes, the Cornée des Rèthes et Forêt de Rhodes circular trail leads to one of the three Anabaptist-Mennonite cemeteries in the Moselle department; there is an information panel at the site. Trail conditions and signage may change, so it is advisable to check the information before setting out.

Nature and activities on the Étang du Stock

The shores of the Étang du Stock include areas known as cornées, which are home to sensitive species such as marsh harriers, bitterns and water rails. Sightings of these birds are not guaranteed. Sailboats, water-skiers and fishing boats use the lake. Canoeing is also a good option on the Étang du Stock, although navigation conditions and regulations may vary.

You can launch boats at the Quartier des Fleurs; conditions and regulations may vary. Fishing is possible on the Étang du Stock near the village of Rhodes, although fishing regulations may change. The Circuit routes are walking trails; boating and fishing are activities on the water. When planning, also take into account the relevant local conditions and rules for boating and fishing.

Discover more destinations: Saarburg, Menskirch, La Maxe, Freyming-Merlebach, Contz-Les-Bains, Morhange, Semécourt, Marange-Zondrange

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