Lubine combines hiking routes with a tangible local history: signs along one trail tell of people fleeing during the Second World War, while the parish church preserves a building history spanning several centuries. The area also has geological formations and a toy museum. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the different trails and things to see.
Hiking between mountain passes and border history
The Chemin de la Résistance et de la Liberté connects the Col d’Urbeis with the Col de Noirceux and is about 10 kilometres long. Twelve signs recount the passage of people who sought to flee from German territory to France during the Second World War. For much of the route, the trail follows the former border. Numerous historic boundary stones bear the engravings F for France and D for Germany. The route, signs and boundary stones give the trail a clear historical focus.
Another option is the Circuit pédestre – La Chapelle de la Jambe de Fer. This 9.5-kilometre hike through the mid-mountain landscape has an elevation gain of 313 metres and red circular trail markings. The routes are similar in length; the Circuit also has a stated elevation gain and trail marking, while the twelve signs and boundary stones are defining features of the Chemin. Check the Circuit’s trail markings and conditions locally before setting out.
Church and local history
The parish church, église paroissiale de la Pentecôte, is on Rue Haute in the village of Lubine. It was extended between 1726 and 1728, while the base of the tower was retained. The rectangular nave forms the main part of the church; the bell tower projects partly from the main structure, and the choir is polygonal. A Baroque façade adds to these architectural features. The preserved tower base makes the extension understandable as part of the building’s history: it connects the 18th-century alterations with an older structure, without allowing the exact age of the rest of the tower to be established.
Lubine’s history also includes the narrow-gauge Lordonbahn, also known as the Tacot Allemand. It operated during the First World War, and a western branch line ran as far as Lubine. Alongside the border history and church architecture, this historic railway connection is another distinct link to the area.
Geology and landscape connections
The geological formations known as Écailles de Lubine or Écailles du Climont are an impressive example of metamorphic rocks of different types and origins. Both names help place Lubine’s geological significance in context. Lubine is also one of the 189 municipalities in the Parc naturel régional des Ballons des Vosges. Forty-four of these municipalities are in the Vosges department.
The geological nappes I, II and III can be accessed on both sides of the La Fave river from the forest roads of Climont and Chevremann near La Bassotte. Conditions may change due to vegetation, ownership or road access; check access locally before your visit. To reach the La Bassotte geological site, take the path behind the church. You can park where the paved road ends. Confirm these field-access directions locally before setting out as well.
Toy museum
The Musée du jouet vintage in Lubine displays almost 400 old toys that visitors can touch and hold. The museum also offers themed activities and a children’s workshop. As activities may change, check the arrangements for visits before your trip. This makes the museum a cultural attraction in its own right, while hiking, church architecture and geology offer other focuses for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Luvigny, Granges-Sur-Vologne, La Bresse, La Chapelle-Aux-Bois, Belval, Cornimont, La Neuveville-devant-Lépanges, Saint-Pierremont.
For the broader travel overview: Vosges.
