Tourbière Du Col Du Surceneux

Tourbière du col du Surceneux is a raised peatbog nestled in a glacial cirque in the Vosges mountains, at an elevation of roughly 850 metres, within the Haute-Meurthe state forest in the commune of Ban-sur-Meurthe-Clefcy. It sits right beside the Col du Surceneux (810 m), the pass that links this commune to Xonrupt-Longemer.

Where exactly is the peatbog located?

The site lies in the upper Meurthe valley, surrounded by a spruce forest with an extra-zonal character — vegetation more typical of the alpine belt than of the altitude at which it actually grows here. This unusual plant community adds to the ecological value of the area, even though the peatbog itself occupies a fairly modest depression in the terrain.

What kind of peatbog is it, and why is it notable?

Surceneux is classified as a domed raised bog in a senescent, or advanced, stage of development compared with other peatlands in the region. In practice this means peat accumulation has been going on here for a very long time, and the vegetation structure has reached the stable, mature form typical of old bog ecosystems.

What plant life grows here?

Two nationally protected plant species are present on the site: bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) and round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), a carnivorous plant adapted to the nutrient-poor conditions of peat habitats. Alongside them grow other, comparatively rare bog plants suited to the acidic, waterlogged substrate.

What protection status does the site hold?

The Col du Surceneux peatbogs form part of a Biological Forest Reserve (Réserve Biologique) established within the Haute-Meurthe state forest. The area is also included in the Natura 2000 network, under the zone known as Massif de la Haute Meurthe. This dual designation — forest biological reserve plus Natura 2000 site — reflects the importance of the location both for the peatbog itself and for the surrounding mountain forest.

What should visitors know before going?

This is a nature site rather than a developed tourist attraction — there are no viewing platforms or visitor facilities. Its appeal lies in observing a rare peatbog ecosystem set within a Vosges forest landscape, reachable via the hiking trails that pass near the Surceneux col.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Tourbière du col du Surceneux located? In the Vosges mountains, within the Haute-Meurthe state forest in the commune of Ban-sur-Meurthe-Clefcy, near the pass of the same name, at an elevation of about 850 metres.

Is the peatbog a protected area? Yes. It lies within a forest Biological Reserve and within the Natura 2000 "Massif de la Haute Meurthe" site.

What protected plants grow there? Bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) and round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), both nationally protected species.

Is there a mountain pass with the same name nearby? Yes, the Col du Surceneux (810 m) connects Ban-sur-Meurthe-Clefcy to Xonrupt-Longemer and borders the peatbog directly.

What makes this peatbog different from others in the region? It is described as being in a senescent stage of development — an advanced phase — which makes it ecologically more mature than many other peatbogs in the Vosges.