Nature reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Bliesgau

Biosphärenzweckverband Bliesgau, Paradeplatz 4, 66440 Blieskastel

36000 Hectare

Since 2009

Welcome to nature’s treasure chest!

Land of orchids and savoir-vivre

The Bliesgau UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a real insider tip for nature lovers.

Nature at its most enchanting

The Bliesgau is located in the south-eastern corner of the Saarland on the border with France and the Rhineland-Palatinate. It’s a real gem and area of outstanding natural beauty, with a mosaic of wide meadow orchards, precious beech groves and the impressive meadow landscape of the Blies river that will delight nature lovers. In May 2009, UNESCO recognised the beauty of this landscape by listing it as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The region is a sanctuary for many rare animal and plant species such as the little owl, beaver, red kite, lizard orchid or yellow rattle. Almost half of all types of orchids that occur in Germany can be found on the vast limestone semi-dry grasslands here.

But it’s not just nature that has given this biosphere its distinctive character. The region’s cultural history can be explored here, too. Visitors can delve into the past and see the legacies from the time of Roman and Celtic settlements. There‘s an archaeological park in Bliesbruck-Reinheim or a Roman museum in Schwarzenacker. You can explore the famous mottled sandstone caves in Homburg, see historical monuments along the Saar-Palatinate Baroque Route and, moving into the more recent past, examples of the Saarland‘s industrial heritage in St. Ingbert.

Active holidays in the Bliesgau

There are many different options how to enjoy and discover the Bliesgau’s enchanting nature and home of the beaver, little owl and march fritillary butterfly: Cycling is a delight and some of the routes cross over to France. There are also outstanding hiking trails where walkers can enjoy stunning views, or try climbing and canoeing to get yet another perspective. Whatever you do, don’t forget to sample the many culinary delights on offer featuring regional produce.