Carrière du Barrois, Nature reserve and former industrial quarry in L'Hôpital, France.
Carrière du Barrois is a former industrial quarry in L'Hôpital that now functions as a nature reserve with protected status. The site contains several water bodies fed by the Doerrenbach river, surrounded by high sandstone cliffs that create distinct zones throughout the landscape.
Mining operations began here in 1920 and continued as an active extraction site until 2001. Following closure, the abandoned site gradually transformed into an important habitat through natural regeneration processes.
The Industrial and Technical Archives Center of Moselle showcases how this place transformed from an active extraction site to a natural refuge. Visitors can see exhibitions explaining how the landscape regenerated itself after decades of industrial use.
Multiple entry points provide access, including the Roseraie entrance and the Hochwald district entrance near the hospital, both with parking areas. Wear sturdy footwear as the paths around the lakes and rock faces can be uneven and sometimes muddy.
This location is the only breeding ground in Lorraine for two endangered amphibian species: the green toad and the common spadefoot. Few visitors realize how important this site has become for protecting these rare creatures.
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