The apparently pristine Gerardmer lake in the Vosges mountains of eastern France conceals a bleak legacy of 20th-century conflict -- dozens of tonnes of unexploded ordnance from the two world wars.

"We are only currently at 15 million cubic meters (of water in the lake), which represents about 25% of the maximum filling rate. At this time of year, we are usually closer to a 60% filling rate.

Gerardmer is a beauty spot with a dark secret - Copyright AFP ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS Gerardmer is a beauty spot with a dark secret - Copyright AFP ANDREW CABALLERO ...

Unexploded ordnance can date back to 1939-45, 1914-18 or even 1870 One soldier said he was ordered to dump bombs in the lake at night The apparently pristine Gerardmer lake in the Vosges mountains of ...