© Florent Michel @11h45
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The Quarries Track, Portes Bonheur - le Chemin des Carrières is a undulating lace in the landscape, a travelling invitation as the ambition behind the reconquest of the Rosheim-St Nabor railway in Alsace, France.
The railway which is omnious and occassionally disguised still mark the reading of the site. The aspiration to set up a track to serve the quarries had to acclimate to the undulating landscapes of the sub-vosges hills and the absolute form of the tracing reveals the history of the men and the landscape. The quest to explore forgotten landscapes or to have a strange view on everyday landscapes is forwarded to both local users and vistors. Like the old track that provided a dual function (passenger transport and industrial), the route has a dual vocation where the utilitarian must rub shoulders with the imaginary of travel.
A tale goes around the 11km path, which the stops divide into five different chapters of distinct sequences of landscapes offering varied universes and highlighting remarkable sites. Unusual elements underline the way, iming at reviving the visitor’s senses, and water is encountered regularly.
THE TALE OF THE PAST
The first chapter, Rosheim tells the tale of the past. Recognised by the interlaced circles in corten steel, the pavilion has a twisted and intricate character with the concave and convex interiors creating a drama, which the visitors are free to roam and explore. The train tracks are safeguarded in that area, seatings are built, the openings are created such that the scuplture opens and closes to the selected views of the surrounding landscape allowing for viewing, seating - reflexion and contemplation.
