CÔTE DE DELME

The Côte de Delme, associated with the Côte de Bacourt, is the most easterly control hill of the Côtes de Moselle. At the top of this coast, the Bajocian limestone outcrops, which rest on the marly foundations of the Aalenian and Toarcien rivers. Two sectors of limestone grasslands, covering an area of about 75 hectares, occupy the two northern and southern extremities of the Côte de Delme. Like the majority of limestone lawns in Lorraine, the lawns of the Côte de Delme have a very ancient pastoral origin. The practice of sheep grazing continued until the 1960s. No other type of agricultural use (crops, hay meadows) was practised here. The majority of orchids, of the genera Ophrys and Orchis, grow within its sparse herbaceous mats. Alongside the flora, the world of insects is also a good witness to the southern ecological conditions (drought, heat and sunshine) that prevail on these coasts. The Praying Mantis, the Mountain Cicada and the Flambé (butterfly) reach their northern limit of geographical distribution in Lorraine. Several hundred species of butterflies, several dozen of which are rare on a European scale, are the hosts of the lawns of Lorraine. The migration corridors formed by the Meuse and Moselle valleys are particularly frequented by these sub-Mediterranean species. Orientation tables can be found on this site, which has been recognised as a Natura 2000 zone by the European Community. The animals must be kept on a short leash. Free open visit.

DATAtourisme France