Dommartin-lès-Remiremont is a commune in the Vosges department, in the Grand Est region, a few kilometers south-east of Remiremont.
Its territory of 21 km² falls within the middle mountains, ranging from 383 to 842 m in altitude. It is located in the foothills of the Vosges massif, on the edge of the high valleys of the Moselle and the Moselotte, the course of the latter constituting its "northern" limit, just upstream of their confluence.
The locality has a particularly green landscape, covered with forests for 56% of the area and meadows (nearly 30%).
Already occupied during prehistory (tools were unearthed) then in antiquity (Gallo-Roman remains), the parish was first dedicated to Saint-Martin (hence its name) then in Saint-Laurent, marked by the presence of a farm belonging to the monks of the abbey of Saint-Mont, established in the current neighboring town of Saint-Etienne-lès-Remiremont.
The village and the various hamlets had an agricultural vocation for a long time, then, in the 18th century, the economy opened up to the exploitation of the forest with a first sawmill which took advantage of hydraulic energy. Later, the town benefits from the proximity of Remiremont and is experiencing a demographic boom, with today nearly 1900 inhabitants.
Highlighting its heritage and its preserved environment, Dommartin-lès-Remiremont near the resorts of the Vosges will delight lovers of green tourism, especially hiking enthusiasts.
In terms of heritage, the Saint-Laurent church is the main site of the village. It was built from the 15th century on the foundations of a simple chapel attached to a farm that the Benedictines of Saint-Mont owned in Dommartin. Enlarged and embellished over the centuries (the bell tower was further raised at the beginning of the 20th century), recently restored, the church retains elements and objects classified as historical monuments from the abbey of Saint-Mont: reliquary, pieces of goldsmithery, processional cross, gilded wooden altar…
To see next, the statue of the Virgin of May, long sheltered in the church but which since 2010 has been reinstalled on a belvedere at mountain level Cuchot, at an altitude of 551 m. Nearly 2 m high, the statue dominates the confluence of the Moselle and the Mosellote. An orientation table has been set up nearby. Tourists and pilgrims must travel 2 km from the village to access this singular site but which has become a must. Information on the route on +33 3 29 62 23 70.
Finally, a dozen wayside crosses and the war memorial still mark out a discovery of the village and the hamlets.
Meet immediately at the aptly named Maison du Patrimoine, in the center of the small town. In this old house, you can visit three rooms that highlight the local history. Are presented in particular archaeological remains, objects of sacred art (belonging to the church), documents and illustrations evoking the daily life of yesteryear. Temporary exhibitions are also offered. Open on Sundays from July 1 to September 15, the 2nd Sunday of the month the rest of the year and by appointment. Information on +33 3 29 62 06 47.
The locality also has a Cultural Space with several rooms which hosts shows, exhibitions and associative activities. Contact on +33 3 29 62 06 47. Note also that activities are regularly offered at the media library: join +33 3 29 22 61 06.
As far as "nature" leisure activities are concerned, several sites are worth a detour… under the form of short excursions. This is the case of the Etang de la Besace on the border of the town of Dommartin-les-Remiremont and Vecoux. The body of water which has an island in its center is particularly accessible via the Col de Longeroye and its bucolic setting is very charming.
Via the Col de Cheneau, the rocks of Mortevieille constitute another natural wealth of the territory. Backed by a plateau covered with ferns and heather, these are quartz and pink sandstone rocks typical of the Vosges that look like shelters. Surrounded by fir trees, they form an astonishing ensemble and a picture that rewards walkers...
Other marked trails and loops dedicated to hikers are traced in the town towards neighboring resorts, along the valleys of the Moselle and the Mosellote, or conversely allowing to reach Remiremont. Occasionally, these routes are marked with heritage elements (sawmills) or sensitive areas due to their ecological richness. In any case, superb viewpoints await you... Maps and information on +33 3 29 62 23 70. Finally, note that these landscapes can also be the subject of pleasant horseback riding: contact the equestrian farm of Granges de Franould on +33 6 41 66 89 40.
