From the Vallée des Eclusiers to the Château des Rohan

From the centre of Sarrebourg, you can quickly join the Vallée de la Bièvre greenway, taking quiet little streets and then a safe route along the D96. At Schneckenbusch, you return to EuroVelo 5, the main route to Strasbourg.

This section of the V52 alternates between little-used roads and quiet Greenways. It first passes through Niderviller, a charming village famous for its earthenware factory founded in the 18th century. The old bottle kilns that can still be seen bear witness to this rich artisan past, for which the area is famous. The route then continues on to Arzviller, where it becomes a fully cycleable route along the Marne-Rhine canal in the very bucolic Vallée des Éclusiers. Closed to navigation since the opening of the Saint-Louis Arzviller Inclined Planes, this peaceful valley has become a popular place to take a stroll, appreciated for its peace and quiet and its remarkable river heritage. Nearby, the Lehrer crystal glassworks extends the discovery of local craftsmanship, with glass-blowing demonstrations, exhibitions and a shop where you can admire local glassmaking expertise. It's an ideal stop-off to remind you that you're in the heart of crystal country. The Inclined Plan, a real boat lift and the only one of its kind in Europe, replaces 17 locks, saving a day's sailing. It's an impressive feat of engineering that attracts large numbers of visitors every year.

Continuing on, Lutzelbourg reveals the ruins of its medieval castle, proudly perched on its promontory. As you leave the village, Alsace opens up to you. Shortly before the finish line, a glance upwards will give you a glimpse of the Château du Haut-Barr, perched on its rocky spur and nicknamed the "sentinel of the Vosges". The tour ends in Saverne, a town of art and history at the foot of the Vosges du Nord Regional Nature Park. Its majestic Château des Rohan, bordering the marina, marks an elegant finish.