General view of meadows, a pond, forest and the Ballons des Vosges in the background - Plateau des 1000 Etangs, Vosges du Sud — ©Pond at Ecromagny|Nicolas Bonne

The 1000 Lakes Escape And its landscape breaks

Les 1000 Étangs is the result of a glacial retreat thousands of years ago, creating a myriad of picturesque ponds and rare ecosystems. The Plateau des 1000 Étangs covers an area of 220 km², and is home to exceptional biodiversity. Each pond and peat bog bears witness to the richness of this area, offering varied and enchanting landscapes.

L’Échappée des 1000 Étangs invites you to explore this unique natural heritage.

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A sensory journey

With over 60 kilometres and six interactive landscape breaks, the Échappée des 1000 Étangs promises a multi-sensory adventure. From Faucogney-et-la-Mer to Château-Lambert, each stop plunges you into a distinct sensory universe: smell the freshness of the water, admire the richness of the colours, discover geological secrets, enjoy magnificent viewpoints, listen to natural symphonies and explore the mysteries of pond life. These immersive experiences reconnect you with nature and stimulate your senses, encouraging you to rediscover this environment from a new perspective.

Discover Château-Lambert

Cyclists enjoying a break View from the sky landscape at Les Grilloux de Servance - L'échappée des 1000 étangs - Plateau des 1000 étangs - Vosges du Sud — ©The 1000 Lakes Escape|Nicolas Bonne

Kaleidoscope landscape break at the Saint-Martin church in Faucogney - L'échappée des 1000 étangs - Plateau des 1000 étangs - Southern Vosges — ©The 1000 Lakes Escape|Nicolas Bonne

Start of the Echappée des 1000 Etangs in Melisey, marked by a sign les 1000 Etangs à vélo, on which a VTTAE is leaning - Plateau des 1000 Etangs, Vosges du Sud — ©The 1000 Lakes Escape|Nicolas Bonne

Underwater landscape break at the Pellevin pond in Écromagny - L'échappée des 1000 étangs - Plateau des 1000 étangs - Vosges du Sud — ©The 1000 Ponds Escape|Destination 70

Six landscape breaks for total immersion

L’Échappée des 1000 Étangs is not just a simple itinerary; it’s an invitation to experience the landscape and heritage in an interactive way. There are six landscape breaks along the route, located at key points in the area, each offering a unique sensory experience:

“Au fil de l’eau” at the hamlet of La Mer
“Kaleidoscope” at the church of Saint-Martin in Faucogney
“Geological” at the Croix du Montandré in Servance
“Sky view” at Les Grilloux in Servance
“Sound” at the hamlet of Annegray in La Voivre
“Underwater” at the Pellevin pond in Écromagny

These breaks allow you to look, touch, listen, learn and understand the environment around you, stimulating all your senses.

Explore La Petit Finlande

At the Grilloux landscape break in Servance, lie down in a suspended net and marvel at the aerial view over the ponds. This unique perspective plunges you into the heart of a landscape where water, earth and sky merge in a perfect natural symphony.

For budding photographers, the hiking trail that leaves from this site offers a guided photo experience. Cleverly-designed signposts offer tips on how to capture professional shots, while cleverly-placed frames in the landscape allow you to create perfect compositions. An unforgettable getaway combining contemplation and creativity in the heart of “Little Finland” in the Vosges du Sud.

Hiking routes

An itinerary punctuated by A must-see

As you make your way along the Échappée des 1000 Étangs, you’ll discover some of the iconic sites that bring the Pauses Paysages explanations to life, such as the Saut de l’Ognon in Servance. This 14-metre-high waterfall is a perfect illustration of the importance of water in the region and its role in local industrial development. The waterfall was built to supply a granite factory a few hundred metres downstream, at the Pont de Miellin.

You’ll also discover the Grande Chaussée pond at La Lanterne, the Martin sawmill at Miellin and the Champey bridge and Doue de l’eau at Miellin.

Saint-Martin sawmill in Miellin - Plateau des 1000 Etangs, Vosges du Sud — ©Saint-Martin sawmill in Miellin|Nicolas Bonne

Foundations of the Romanesque priory of Saint Jean-Baptiste, Saint Colomban Church - Annegray landscape break - Escape to the 1000 ponds - Plateau des 1000 étangs - Southern Vosges — ©Annegray|Charlotte Mosca

Landscape break at Annegray - Escape from the 1000 ponds - Plateau des 1000 étangs - Southern Vosges — ©Annegray landscape break |Charlotte Mosca

Landscape break at Annegray - Escape from the 1000 ponds - view of St Martin's church and Faucogney cemetery - Plateau des 1000 étangs - Southern Vosges — ©View of Saint-Martin church|Charlotte Mosca

A rich heritage to discover

As well as its natural beauty, the Échappée des 1000 Étangs will introduce you to the rich heritage of the Haute-Saône. From picturesque villages to historic sites, each stage of the route tells a part of the region’s history. Be sure to visit the church of Saint-Martin at Faucogney-et-la-Mer or explore the remains of the first European monastery founded by Saint-Colomban at Annegray.