GS3 MARSOUPE VALBOIS

Very nice hike from the city centre. Mostly shaded route over a distance of 20.5 km with a difference in altitude of 310m. After passing through the Old Town in front of a few listed buildings or the Collegiate Church of St. Etienne with a famous sepulchre of Ligier Richier or an old washhouse, the hike takes you on a pleasant country route mostly shaded. It does not present any particular difficulties apart from a few steep slopes. It will lead you to the discovery of springs, fountains, menhir, viewpoints and chapel On the way up, on the highest point of this hike, you will pass the megalith (menhir) of the Damechonne or Dame Schone (Neolithic period 1800 BC) whose origin of the Germanic name, "Dame Schone" or more simply "schoene", which translates as "Beautiful Lady", is unknown. A priori very old, is it to be compared with the fact that the Duchies of Lorraine and Bar were states belonging to the Holy Roman Empire of Germany? German was therefore a naturally used language there. The term "beautiful lady" can be related to the beliefs of fairies. Fairies are indeed very common in Lorraine and followed the "Fata", Celtic goddesses. German soldiers engraved inscriptions and iron crosses there during the Great War. The menhir reads: "Mit Gott für Vaterland 1914-1915" (Mit Gott für Vaterland 1914-1915) underlined by two flippers. You will cross the village of Varvinay, part of the commune of Valbois, residence of a Meusian sculptor at the entrance of the village The old wash-house of the village deserves a stop. On the way back, you will pass close to the Chapel of the Virgin des Prés, a former place of pilgrimage, whose water from its source cures eye diseases. Have a good hike Path marked out by La Grolle Sammielloise.