Lac de la Maix, located in Vexaincourt in the south-west of the Donon massif, is a natural lake of glacial origin formed around 12,000 years ago. Nestled in the heart of the forest, this emerald-green lake (approx. 1.6 hectares) is an unspoilt natural gem in the Vosges.
A place of mysterious charm, it is now a popular haven for hikers, accessible from the village of Vexaincourt or the Col du Prayé.
The site bears witness to a rich historical and religious past: a chapel was rebuilt here in the 19th century on the remains of an ancient medieval hermitage and a chapel known as "de la Mer" (1508), close to a crypt and an ancient sarcophagus. The ancient term mer (or mar) here refers to a wild body of water, the origin of the site?s name.
Numerous legends surround the lake, including that of the Diable Violoneux and the Vierge de la Maix, adding to its unique atmosphere.
Swimming prohibited.
A place of mysterious charm, it is now a popular haven for hikers, accessible from the village of Vexaincourt or the Col du Prayé.
The site bears witness to a rich historical and religious past: a chapel was rebuilt here in the 19th century on the remains of an ancient medieval hermitage and a chapel known as "de la Mer" (1508), close to a crypt and an ancient sarcophagus. The ancient term mer (or mar) here refers to a wild body of water, the origin of the site?s name.
Numerous legends surround the lake, including that of the Diable Violoneux and the Vierge de la Maix, adding to its unique atmosphere.
Swimming prohibited.
Coordinates
DD
48.475738, 7.075029
DMS
48°28'32.7"N 7°04'30.1"E
UTM
32U 357734 5370968
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Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!
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