Lachaussée is a village in the Meuse, in the Grand-Est region, 40 km southeast of Verdun.
The municipal territory is located in the wooded plain of Woëvre, east of the Meuse coast, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Lorraine.
Seat of a Provost of the Duchy of Bar in the fourteenth century, attached to France in 1766, Lachaussée has a history intimately linked to that of its vast pond of 360 hectares created in 1273 by Count Thiébaut Bar on an area until then swamp. The pond was then exploited as a fish farm by the monks of the Cistercian abbey of Saint-Benoît-en-Woëvre. Owned in the twentieth century by the Wangen family, the pond and its surroundings were donated in 1978 to the Association des Paralyze de France, which created a hotel and restaurant business there, as well as a leisure center where employees are employed. people with disabilities.
The site remains the main asset of the town in terms of tourism, but the village of about 270 inhabitants also has an interesting built heritage. Although affected during the First World War.
Lachaussée will delight lovers of green tourism passing through the region.
On the same town, before discovering the pond and its natural reserve, several buildings can mark a walk in the form of discovery of the heritage.
This is the case of the church dedicated to Saint-Nicolas, rebuilt in 1930 after having housed a German field hospital during the Battle of Verdun in 1917.
Lachaussée having absorbed in 1973 the neighboring villages of Hadonville-lès-Lachaussée and Haumont-lès-Lachaussée, one can also stop in the first village mentioned at the level of the church Saint-Léger whose bases date from the 16th century, as well only in front of the astonishing sepulchral chapel and at the oratory dedicated to the Virgin. On Haumont, the Sainte-Anne church was rebuilt after the First World War.
In this region very rich in terms of hydrography, many small bridges, wash houses, fountains are also visible.
It is then time to go to the pond of Lachaussée, classified as a nature reserve and sensitive area and Natura 2000 area for its tremendous wealth in terms of flora and fauna specific to wetlands. The entire site includes a catering complex (the Domaine du Vieux-Moulin) and a leisure center where educational activities and exhibitions are regularly scheduled. Visitors can also explore several specially designed trails (guided tours possible). Fishing enthusiasts are not forgotten with specific amenities. Entry at the base from 3 euros. Open all year. Information on +33 3 29 89 36 02. For fishing, half-day package from 7 euros, information +33 6 74 88 95 16.
Within the framework of the nature reserve and the regional natural park, specific hikes are proposed on the site of the pond and its surroundings, in particular the woods, with thematic markings. Documentation and information +33 3 82 20 88 00. As for the Regional Natural Park of Lorraine, it organizes entertainment for young people especially, combining discovery of ecological balance and artistic activities. Information on +33 3 83 81 67 67.
On the cultural level, the village of Lachaussée also stands out by hosting a regional pole of creation, diffusion and training for the live show classified "Regional Scene to the Campaign", the Grange Theater.
Shows for adults or young audiences are regularly offered by the troops in residence. Information on +33 3 29 89 30 23.
In June, at the Grange Theater, the festival On the Route of Birds program shows especially for young audiences.
From the last week of October to the third week of November, the Fête de l'Etang offers different highlights such as net fishing with fish sorting, perpetuating a centuries-old tradition initiated by the monks.
