Vilsberg is a commune in the Moselle department, in the Grand Est region, 3 km northwest of Phalsbourg, which it borders.
Its 5 km² territory borders the Bas-Rhin department to the east, and it is crossed by the Nesselbach stream.
The locality has retained a rural and verdant character, covered with forests (39% of its area), agricultural areas (34%) and meadows dedicated to livestock farming. Geographically and geologically, it already belongs to the Vosges massif.
A former parish dependent on the bishops of Strasbourg, this small seigniory was run by the Munch family in the Middle Ages. Later, its history is linked to that of Phalsbourg, which had the status of principality from 1629 to 1702 and which Vauban fortified in 1680. Vilsberg for its part was ceded by the Dukes of Lorraine to France in 1661.
For as much, it is the exploitation of its sandstone quarries of the Vosges which makes the prosperity of the village. Thus, in the 19th century, the blocks of rock extracted in the town were transported to Lutzelbourg, 7 km to the south, by a metric railway, the Eselbahn. There, they embarked on ships to take the Marne-Rhine canal.
This activity is no more, but Vilsberg remains marked by this piece of history. With its heritage and unspoiled nature, this justifies a stopover in this village of 350 inhabitants close to many tourist sites of interest.
In terms of heritage, the current Saint-Charles church, built in 1827, is the main site of the small town. Apart from the statue of Saint Charles which overlooks the entrance to the bell tower, the external appearance of the building, restored in 1880, is at first ordinary. It is quite different inside, which benefits from decorations and furniture in the Rococo style (an architectural and decorative trend of the 18th century using curved and asymmetrical lines, reminiscent of the scrolls of shells or foliage). There are thus to be observed several altars, statues positioned halfway up the walls of the nave or even the Stations of the Cross in the form of a high relief. Note also the carved wooden pulpit and the baptismal font in the shape of a basin also made of wood. The church is also decorated with paintings on the ceiling, decorations depicting cherubs in relief or a representation of Christ at the level of the triumphal arch. The enclosure of the choir is particularly neat, composed of two elements and decorated with cherubs, garlands, scrolls. The stained glass windows by the Messin master Heyden, installed at the end of the 20th century, add to the richness of the place, without forgetting to mention a coffin in glass and sculpted wood housing a recumbent figure of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and the gallery occupied by a Vondrasek organ from 1940.
In terms of built heritage, there is also a statue of the Sacred Heart near the so-called Langen Brunnen fountain and a wayside cross in the town.
Leisure sports and "nature" also partly reflect the past of Vilsberg. Thus, for hikers, a marked route is available which follows the route of the old metric railway line which linked the village station to Lutzelbourg to transport the sandstone extracted from the town. The loop is 11 km long and accessible to everyone.
Other routes allow you to reach, on foot or by bike, Phalsbourg, of course, but also wooded areas, bucolic areas or famous tourist sites nearby such as the Arzviller boat lift which does not replace less than 17 locks or the first summits of the Vosges. Maps and information for walkers or mountain bikers on +33 3 87 24 42 42.
Also note that fishing enthusiasts are also welcome, with several rivers including the canal and some notable ponds in the locality or its surroundings relatives. Information on the regulations and the best suited "spots" on +33 3 87 24 42 42.
