This route, guided by the Meuse, will take you to the edge of the Vosges, to discover hilltop villages rich in history. You'll leave Bourmont, a village of character with two churches and a privileged promontory overlooking the Meuse valley, and head for the Mouzon valley. At Soulaucourt-sur-Mouzon, you'll pass at the foot of the ancient fortified town of La Mothe. A short diversions of 2 km and a good climb will enable you to discover this solid medieval fortress on the edge of Lorraine, taken by Louis XIV's troops in 1645. Gently climb up to the Meuse valley and the village of Goncourt, the childhood holiday home of the two brothers Edmond and Jules Huot-de-Goncourt, famous founders of the academy and literary prize of the same name. The route then takes you to the foot of another medieval fortress: Château de Lafauche. Built on a promontory in the 11th century and protected by 18 towers, it was the most easterly castle in the Kingdom of France and acted as a deterrent against the neighbouring Lorraine region. Not far from there, in Prez-sous-Lafauche, stop off at the Musée aux branches to discover unique art. This "wooden zoo" features animals, figures and scenes made from natural branches. After a stroll across the plateau, you'll reach the Meuse valley. Nestling on a hillside, the village of Vroncourt-la-Côte awaits you. It was here in 1830 that Louise Michel, known as the "Red Virgin", was born, an anarchist activist during the Paris Commune. Finally, take a leisurely drive down the Meuse and its small rural villages to Bourmont.
Sur les terres des frères Goncourt et de Louise Michel
Localisation : BOURMONT-ENTRE-MEUSE-ET-MOUZON
