La Montagne

To the west of the fortified city, the Langres plateau is known as "La Montagne". The landscape alternates between large forested areas, rich in game, and lush green valleys sheltering villages with a Burgundian feel, and at the foot of which flow beautiful trout rivers. This is an area of rare ecological richness that you can discover on a walk that starts in Auberive.
Through Jean Lamour's elegant wrought-iron gates, you'll catch a glimpse of the former Cistercian abbey of Auberive, founded in the 12th century at the time of Saint Bernard.
Passing from village to village, you will then discover the Germainelle valley in Germaines, the Juchère ponds in Villars-Santenoge and the 17th-century Château de Vivey.
Your next stop will take you to Aujeurres, where the source of the River Aube offers a most pleasant and refreshing break. In the village, just in front of the church and wash-house, the Peûte-Bête fountain will make you shudder to think of the victims who fell victim to the clutches of this beast eager for fresh flesh. It is said that it feasted on the flesh of men and even more so on that of women.
You will then plunge into the upper Vingeanne valley at Aprey, where a short diversions to the Vingeanne gorges is in order. You will then continue on to Les Halles before reaching Haut du Sec, considered to be the highest point in the Haute-Marne at 516 m (Haut-de-Baissey, a short distance away, is actually the highest point at 523 m).
At Perrogney-les-Fontaines, you can admire the Roman cross at the entrance to the village before turning west to descend into the Aujon valley at Chameroy. From there, you can return to your starting point via the Aube valley, the Butte de Taloison and the magnificent church at Bay-sur-Aube.