Fontaine des Voleurs, source de la Meurthe

Le Valtin

Between the Hohneck and the Col de la Schlucht, below the chaume de Montabey, the Meurthe comes out of the ground at the Fontaine des Voleurs. A sign beside the route des Crêtes indicates the spot. Wikipedia places this source at nearly 1,150 metres above sea level, in the commune of Le Valtin. The “grande Meurthe” then tumbles down towards the valley of the Combe, crosses a few ponds, passes through Plainfaing and joins at Fraize the “petite Meurthe”, which rises at the Grand Valtin. The Sandre gives the river 160.6 kilometres, to the Moselle at Nancy; it gave its name to the département of the Meurthe, from 1790 to 1871, most of which became Meurthe-et-Moselle. The name “Fontaine des Voleurs” is attested as the name of the source, but the sources consulted do not explain its origin: no legend could be verified, and it would be unwise to invent one. To be verified with the commune or the Parc naturel régional des Ballons des Vosges.

Getting there: Along the route des Crêtes, between the Hohneck and the Col de la Schlucht; a sign indicates the spot (Wikipedia). Coordinates: OpenStreetMap marker “Source de la Meurthe (Fontaine des Voleurs)”. Exact state of the installation not verified.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound