Géocaching : circuit de Hartmannswillerkopf

Hartmannswillerkopf, or Old Armand is located in the massif of Vosges. With a 956 meter height, it overhangs the Plain of Alsace and the Haut Rhin department.

Especially known to have been the theater of fights which took place during the First World War and making thousands of deaths, it became today, the Mecca of memory (report). Old Armand shelters a national monument telling one of the most murderous battles which took place in France.

The name of Hartmannswillerkopf comes from the name of the village of Hartmannswiller and from the word  kopf which means head . The “Hairy”, (poilus in french)  at the time, renamed Hartmannswillerkopf in Old Armand, Hartmann being Armand in French.

Go to the coordinates: N47°51.523 E007°08.976 / Google Maps : 47 51.523, 7 08.976 

What object the two angels are holding in their hands?

A=sword=4

A=rifle=5

A=sabre=6

Both bronze angels, called the Victoires (Victory)  was realized by Antoine Bourdelle, at the request of his friend Robert Danis, chief architect of historic monuments.

Go to the coordinates : N47°51.528E007°09.010/Google Maps 47°51.528,7°09.010

Observe the altar of Homeland. Faces wear blazons of twelve big cities of France.

What city has for symbol a cross?

B= Marseille= 601

B= Mulhouse= 650

B=Strasbourg= 751

Go to the coordinates : N47°51.687 E007°09.422/Google Maps 47 51.687,7 09.422

In this place, big and deep holes appear, what represent they?

C= Trenches=9

C= A border=10

The site of Old Armand includes 45kms of trenches which are preserved. The main fights took place there during 1915, making 30000 deaths whom a majority of French soldiers. Its  nickname “man-eater’s” comes from there.

Go to the coordinates :  N47°51.644E007°09.677/Google Maps: 47 51.644,7 09.677

To watch the enemy, and prevent their troops against possible attacks, the soldiers built sentry boxes. 

What is the particularity of this sentry box?

D= It is a wooden sentry box = 20

D= It is a mobile sentry box =21

D= It is a sentry box with windows =22

This sentry box is a part of the multitude of present vestiges to Old Armand: shelters, trenches, bunkers, strengthened posts … A century after the fights, the site still preserves a very important quantity of military works on 6000 which were set up there.

Go to the coordinates : N47°51.589 E007°09.828 /Google Maps: 47 57.589, 7 09.828

In what year was this tree planted?

E= EEE7

Go to the coordinates : N47°51. 623 E007°09. 534/ Google Maps: 47 51.623, 7 09.534

Observe the landscape. Except the site of Hartmannswillerkopf (cemetery, crypt), how many buildings do you see?

F = 2 

F = 5

At this place, you can see the farmhouse inn of Molkenrain, located in 1040 meters in height. The owners offers products stemming from their breedings: cows Salers, pigs, hens…

Find the final hiding place!

Here are the coordinates of the final hiding place: GPS coordinates :  N47 ° 51. XXX E007 09. YYY / Google Maps : 47 51. XXX, 7 09. YYY

After solving the previous indications, do the following calculations by replacing letters by numbers. You will then find the place where the hiding was deposited.

XXX = A+B+C = 

YYY= E*F+D =

The Road of Crete

It connects Cernay to Sainte Marie aux Mines (about 80 kilometers).It was build during the First World War. The road offers you a fantastic view over the plain of Alsace, the Black Forest and the Alps Berneses. Farmhouses inns offers you all along the road them famous typical meals.

Hartmannswiller

Come to discover the church of XVII ° century and the cemetery strengthened of XV° century by this small village located between the hills and the vineyard at the foot of Old Armand.

Uffholtz

Among the main sites to discover, the municipality of Uffholtz counts : the Church Saint Erasme, the chapel Saint Antoine dedicated to Saint Antoine le Grand, but also the Shelter Memory builds in 1581 and which is nowadays, a cultural and patrimonial center telling the Great War.

Wattwiller

Mainly known for its waters of mineral springs, Wattwiller is also known to be one of the first villages occupied by the German troops during the War 14-18.To  Discover also, the François Schneider foundation, contemporary Arts Center.

Cernay 

Former walled city, Cernay counts among its vestiges, the Tower of the witch which served formerly as prison, but also the Tower of the Marshals (maréchaux). The Museum of the Door of Thann presents the local heritage and the temporary exhibitions.

Auberge de la Ferme des Dahlias

Chemin Lingasse

68 500 Berrwiller

03 89 28 23 67

La Couronne

84  rue Principale 

68 500 Wueheim

03 89 48 77 99

Cantine Zeller

It located in below of the Vieil Armand. You must follow the Club Vosgien’s marking. ((red, white, red rectangle)

Opening days: week end and closed days.

La Cave du Vieil Armand

1 route de Cernay 

68360 WUENHEIM

03 89 28 22 07

The cave offers you to discover the work in relation with wine in visiting their museum.