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the Degree Confluence Project
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France : Grand Est

2.2 km (1.4 miles) W of Sarralbe, Moselle, Grand Est, France
Approx. altitude: 256 m (839 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 49°S 173°W

Accuracy: 2 m (6 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the North #3: View to the East #4: View to the South #5: View to the West #6: GPS reading #7: Ground Zero #8: The Confluence Hunter #9: Water tower and bunker of the Knopp fortification #10: The Confluence is squeezed in between those 2 fences #11: Sarralbe #12: Signpost informing about the battle of the Knopp hilltop

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  49°N 7°E (visit #12)  

#1: The Confluence from 40 m distance

(visited by Rainer Mautz)

04-Feb-2018 -- This is the 2nd out of 2 reports reaching confluence points during a weekend bicycle trip from Nancy to Strasbourg. The story continues at 49°N 6°E.

When I reached the town of Sarralbe (2 km from CP) in the eve of confluence day, I planned on spending the night there in order to visit the confluence point the next morning. But soon I had to learn that the town doesn’t offer any accommodation. Finally, I heard from locals that the Restaurant Alsace in the neighbouring town Keskastel offers rooms which can’t be found online. There, I spent a pleasant night with a fine dinner.

On confluence day, I extended breakfast in a café in Saaralbe until daylight came. Then I rode on top of the hill where this confluence point is located.

This confluence point has a very unique location: it is on top of a hill with views into all directions. Therefore, this place has been used for building a water tower right next to the confluence in about 20 m distance. Actually, the exact confluence can be accessed without scaling a fence, since it is squeezed in between two fences. The second fence must have been erected recently, because it didn’t exist in previous visits. But again, a small aisle is left to let confluence hunters reach their goal legally.

And there is another interesting fact about this confluence-hill: it has been a fortification during the Second World War. This hilltop was called “Knopp” and heavily defended by the French. The full heroic story can be read on a signpost.

After the visit, I cycled to Strasbourg following the Marne–Rhine Canal. I should note that right after the confluence visit the weather turned into a snow-storm and lasted all day. However, according to my slogan there is no bad weather but only unsuitable clothing. I reached Strasbourg at 5 PM and hopped in the next train that brought me back to Zurich within two hours.

CP Visit Details:

  • Distance from Sarralbe: 2 km
  • Distance from a road: 700 m
  • Distance from a track: 40 m
  • Time to reach the CP from Sarralbe: 12 minutes
  • Time at the CP: 8:08 AM
  • Measured height: 278 m
  • Minimal distance according to GPS: 1 m
  • Position accuracy: 2 m
  • Topography: on a flat hill
  • Vegetation: short grass, moss
  • Weather: overcast, 0° C (felt temperature)
  • Given Name: The Watertower and Fortification Confluence

The story finishes here.


 All pictures
#1: The Confluence from 40 m distance
#2: View to the North
#3: View to the East
#4: View to the South
#5: View to the West
#6: GPS reading
#7: Ground Zero
#8: The Confluence Hunter
#9: Water tower and bunker of the Knopp fortification
#10: The Confluence is squeezed in between those 2 fences
#11: Sarralbe
#12: Signpost informing about the battle of the Knopp hilltop
ALL: All pictures on one page