The Vosges…. once, together with the Black Forest, a huge mountain range. Until Italy found it necessary to collide with Europe some thirty million years ago. This created the Alps. The huge slab on which the old mountains lay broke and collapsed to a large extent. In the enormous groove that was created then, the Rhine now separates the Western Vosges from the Black Forest in the East.

The ridge that remained formed the border between France and Germany from 1871 to 1918. 1918, you read that right. The end of the First World War. Afterwards, boundaries were literally shifted, but you can already imagine that the terrain of the Vosges during WW I was a particularly turbulent area…

This 'Small' route from the collection of Vosges South out of Col de Bussang is a 'relaxation' of size. The route runs largely on green Michelin roads, offers sufficient variation between elongated parts and spicy curves, offers history and relaxation and all this in a pleasant setting in which it is wonderful to drive.

A few kilometers after the start at the Col de Bussang there is already a gas station. Here you can, if necessary, fill the tank. But given that this is a route of only 171 km, there is a chance that you will not have to refuel here yet. There is also a gas station at the end of the ride, so...

The route first heads west along the Moselle River, which originates nearby (500 meters from the hotel and the start of the route). You cross the Moselle a few times in this western part of the route and it is amazing to see how large the newly created river is just a few kilometers from its source.…

Just before Ramonchamp the route dives into the wooded hills and we even leave the 'Vosges' for a while to end up in the 'Haute Saône'. Agriculture and forestry alternate here on the way to Faucogney-et-la-Mer, the westernmost point of the route.

A lovely serpentine winding road then takes you back eastwards through delightful woodland, steeped in small lakes that help regulate water management here and there. For enthusiasts, there are also several waterfalls that are sometimes really worth a visit.

A wonderful passage starts in the Foret du Revers Aux Chiens just before the Col de Chevrères. The route makes a strong southerly loop here that is wonderful to drive because of the very nice curves that last until the return to the main road in Fresse-sur-Moselle. 40 kilometers of pure fun, which even has an interesting fact…

In Plancher-les-Mines, during the Thirty Years' War, lived a beautiful and virtuous girl named 'Inès'. In the village it was known that the Swedish soldiers had a more than bad reputation…. Looting, massacres, rapes, fire…, nothing was too much for them and no one was spared… . When the villagers of Plancher-les-Mines heard that the Swedes were on their way to their village, Inès fled with the other girls of the village to a higher rock near the village, hoping that the rough Swedes would not find them there. Unfortunately…
Hidden in the woods, Inès saw the captain appear on his foaming horse. Their eyes met and they instantly fell in love. The appearance of the beautiful young woman and the tough warrior did not leave them both unmoved…

But before the leader could admonish his warriors to calm and mercy, the damage was done…. Some savage had meanwhile also seen the pretty girls and, eager for prey, they hastened to the frightened girls to indulge their lusts.

Inès, the great example to all the girls present, had no choice but to throw herself into the pond below to escape from the wild warriors. All the girls followed her example and also jumped into the dark pond, and with it their certain death...

The leader, seeing his sudden love disappear, jumped after Inès in an attempt to save her. Unfortunately, he found only her lifeless body, surrounded by water lilies, as if she wanted to say goodbye surrounded by splendor.

The sad soldier then took his dagger and engraved on a plank an epitaph for the love he had unfortunately never known….. 'La Planche des Belles Filles'….

You can dream away romantically here, but remember that the winding road between Plancher-les-Mines and Fresse-sur-Moselle will also demand your attention. It is a lovely piece of road with tasty clothespins, and the views along the way are also wonderful to see at times. If you wish, you can also enjoy a nice waterfall on this part, the 'Cascade de la Goutte des Saules' shortly after the passage through Planche-des-Mines (4 km).

The stretch between Fresse-sur-Moselle and Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle may be a more 'boring' stretch of road, but it takes you very quickly to the winding road that leads you further to the Col du Ballon d'Alsace, also a highlight of the Vosges that you can check off with this one.
From the Ballon d'Alsace it is possible – in clear weather of course – to see as far as the Alps. So worth it for a small stop. There are various places where you can, if desired, sit down for a cup of coffee or a quick bite.

Shortly after the Ballon, on this route you will also pass the Lac d'Alfeld, a reservoir built by the Germans. Lovers of splashing water can dismount here for a short walk to the 'Cascade du Wasserfall', on the other side of the lake.

Then the asphalt takes you fairly easily to Masevaux-Niederbruck, where the curve party is started again for about 35 kilometers. Then you will return to the Route Nationale which will take you back towards the Col de Bussang.

For the tourists, however, there is one more important place to mention, although it is only 5 kilometers from the final destination… The 'Tunnel de Bussang' or the Tunnel d'Urbes'. If both time and weather conditions permit, a visit to this area, even if it is with a walk, is very nice.

The Vosges massif has always been a logistical challenge literally lying between the Alsace and the rest of France. Various attempts were made to make tunnels through the massif and the Tunnel d'Urbes or the Tunnel de Bussang are striking, surviving memories of this.
The original plan was to build an 8,287 meter long (railway) tunnel through the massif here. All necessary works for this were started, but in 1935 the project was stopped due to economic reasons and the threat of war. Once the tunnel was in place, it was a breeze for the Germans to re-enter France without the hurdle of the Vosges.
After the war, it was considered to resume the works, but a little later they were finally stopped.
However, the remains of this are still present and can sometimes even be called hallucinatory, just look at the Viaduc Ferroviare that suddenly, completely isolated, looms up in the middle of the field without any apparent purpose…

After a possible visit to the tunnels and the Viaduc Ferroviaire, the smooth loops of the Bussang will take you back to the hotel where you can continue the relaxation of the ride.

This route may be small, but it gives you ample opportunity to enjoy a leisurely ride while allowing time for some touristy stops. An ideal tour for the tourist drivers among us on which it is easy to catch up with the buddies.