Munster Valley Tourist Office
Welcome to the Munster Valley, a true nature sanctuary where wildlife reigns supreme. Nestled in the heart of the Vosges Mountains in Alsace, this picturesque valley is home to exceptional biodiversity that attracts nature lovers from all over the world.
Explore the wild and unspoilt landscapes of the Munster Valley and marvel at the diversity of species that live there. From majestic deer to discreet red foxes, agile chamois and foxes, every corner of the valley is home to an unsuspected wealth of wildlife.
Bird watchers will be delighted by the variety of avian species that inhabit the valley, from majestic raptors such as golden eagles and peregrine falcons to the small, colorful passerines that bring the forests and meadows to life.
But the Munster Valley's wildlife is not limited to large animals and birds. The rivers and lakes are also home to a multitude of fish, while the ponds and marshes provide a haven for amphibians and insects.
Whether you are a keen hiker looking for unforgettable wildlife encounters or simply a nature lover seeking tranquility and beauty, the Munster Valley offers an unparalleled experience to discover and appreciate the richness of wildlife. Prepare to be amazed by the beauty and diversity of the wildlife in this unspoilt valley, where every encounter is a source of wonder and inspiration.
Reintroduced in Alsace in 1938, there are now nearly 900 of them in the entire Vosges massif (250 to 300 in the Munster valley). You can see them on the ridges of the Munster valley from an altitude of 800 metres. But be discreet, do not try to approach them because they are wild animals. Autumn is the best season to observe them at sunrise and sunset. Our mountain guides will be happy to guide you through our trails to make you experience unforgettable moments.
Also reintroduced in 1983 after an absence of more than two centuries, the Vosges massif now has around thirty lynx, some of which roam the Munster valley. This nocturnal and solitary hunter, from the feline family, is very difficult to observe. For those lucky enough to spot one, they will recognize it by its brown-spotted fur and the black brushes at the end of its ears.
Lord of the great forest, the stag is invisible until autumn when he goes to meet the does. It is towards the evening, in the clearings filled with mist, that the deep and powerful bellow of the stag suddenly resounds, sometimes followed by the noise of the fights between two adversaries, the clash of intertwined antlers. At the end of winter, he loses his antlers which will grow back in the spring, stronger than before. It is also in the month of May that the female gives birth to a small fawn. While suckling it, she isolates herself from her little one who has remained hidden, so as not to reveal her presence. If you find it, you must not touch it because, impregnated with the smell of man, its mother might reject it.
Welcome to the Munster Valley, a true botanical paradise where flora flourishes in a preserved and diverse natural setting. Nestled in the heart of the Vosges Mountains in Alsace, this picturesque valley is home to an exceptional wealth of plants and flowers that testify to the beauty and biodiversity of the region.
Explore the winding paths that meander through lush meadows, enchanted forests and steep slopes of the Munster Valley, and discover a myriad of plants and flowers that colour and perfume the landscape.
Botany enthusiasts will be enchanted by the diversity of plant species that populate the valley, from delicate orchids to robust fir trees, aromatic herbs that perfume the air and mysterious mushrooms that grow in the shade of the trees.
But the flora of the Munster Valley is not limited to visual and olfactory beauty. Many plants and flowers also have medicinal and culinary properties, and have been used for centuries by the inhabitants of the region for their therapeutic and taste virtues.
Whether you are a botany enthusiast looking for floral rarities or simply a nature lover seeking tranquility and beauty, the Munster Valley offers you an incomparable experience to discover and appreciate the richness of the local flora. Prepare to be amazed by the beauty and diversity of the plants and flowers of this unspoiled valley, where each encounter is an invitation to contemplation and wonder.
Present on the Chaumes, above 1 meters, it rubs shoulders with the Vosges Pansy, the Blueberry, the Heather or false heather. Its beautiful white flowers, visible at the end of spring, turn into fruits with long feathery ridges from the end of summer. This floral richness is due to the presence of the herds that maintain these large open spaces thanks to grazing.
Spread across the escarpments below the peaks, it forms clusters of beautiful pink flowers punctuated with purple, in the shape of a turban. Their subtle scent attracts insects and its colours delight the photographer's eye.
Also called Vosges Tobacco, Arnica forms carpets of pretty yellow flowers in places, in the middle of the mountain moorland, such as at Breitfirst and around Markstein. The properties of this rustic flower are known to treat edemas, blows, sprains, but its picking is regulated, only professionals collect it to supply certain laboratories.
Characteristic of peat bogs which, rare in the Vosges, occupy only small areas, it is also called "poor man's cotton". Indeed, its spike-shaped flowers form dense and silky white tufts. It grows alongside other remarkable species such as the Drosera, a small carnivorous plant, the Marsh Cranberry or the Lycopodium.
A plant of the daffodil family, it is known for forming immense carpets of yellow flowers in the damp meadows of the valleys. Symbol of the advent of spring, it is celebrated every two years in Mittlach and Gérardmer.
Munster Valley Tourist Office 2024
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