Haycot Picnic Area

Perched at 1085 meters above sea level, the Haycot picnic area, located near the inn of the same name, is an ideal spot to relax and enjoy an exceptional panorama. From this vantage point, the view stretches over the Côte d’Echery and the blue line of the Vosges mountains, extending as far as the eye can see. On clear days, it’s the perfect place to settle down with a picnic and savor the fresh mountain air.

This site has a unique history: it was once a dairy founded by Amish members of an Anabaptist community who arrived in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in 1693. Their lifestyle, marked by simplicity and isolation, led them to settle on the heights of the Val d’Argent to practice mountain farming. However, they were driven out in 1712 and found refuge in Pennsylvania. Their former farms were taken over by local farmers and transformed into inns, benefiting from the rise of mountain tourism at the end of the 19th century.