LAURENT FRANCOIS

Pass by the summit of Butte de Mousson, with its castle ruins, and Butte de Xon, with its trenches dating from the First World War.

Discover the castles of the Saintois region in Haroué and Tantonville, the moulded lintels in the villages, the churches and the 360° views.

Starting from the Isola 2000 resort, hike towards the Lausfer lakes and, following the French-Italian border, return via the Col de la Lombarde.

A walk through the forest, passing through the beautiful villages of Saint-Martin-de-Pallières, Esparron, Artigues and Ubac. Return to the valley via an old railway line.

A circular walk between La Grande Bastide and the village of L'Ubac, on the outskirts of the town of Rians, passing by its church. Moderator's warning on 08/02/2021: Changes to the starting point of the hike; see notices.

From Gréoux-les-Bains to Saint-Martin-de-Brômes via the plateau for views of the mountains, and back via the viewpoint for views of Gréoux-les-Bains and the Esparron-de-Verdon Lake dam.

This circular walk takes you up to La Verdiére via the road for the views, and back through the woods for peace and quiet.

From Gréoux-les-Bains to Vinon-sur-Verdon, a circular walk with a section along the ridges offering views of the Durance and Verdon valleys through gaps in the forest, a walk through the old village of Vinon-sur-Verdon and a return journey through the Verdon Valley.

Start from Messein and return via the village of Méréville. A circular route with easy conditions, mostly on cycle paths.

Start between the canal and the Moselle, then follow the right bank to the Maron. Return along the left bank via Sexey-aux-Forges and Pont-Saint-Vincent. Discover how iron ore was transported from the old mines at Sexey-aux-Forges.

Walk along the circular loops of the Moselle between Villey-le-Sec and Pierre-la-Treiche or the 'cave route'. Start at the Villey-le-Sec dam car park, hike through the woods of Villey-le-Sec and along the old railway line to see the caves. Return on flat ground via the cycle path.

Start at the L’Orée du Bois housing estate, walk a short distance along the diversion canal, then take a short climb towards the Bois des Convers for the view of Nancy, and descend into Laneuveville-devant-Nancy to reach the Marne-Rhine Canal. Return via the cycle path along the diversion canal.

Explore the Moselle circular loops between Pierre-la-Treiche and Toul. Starting from the car park at Pierre-la-Treiche, head towards Chaudeney along a small path through the woods on the right bank of the Moselle. Visit the Chaudeney dam and the two locks at Toul. Return along the narrow-gauge canal, then via the hamlet of Gare-le-Cou and the Château de la Rochotte.

Follow the circular course of the Moselle between Dommartin-lès-Toul and Gondreville. Visit the Dommartin redoubt and the Chaudeney battery. Walk through the old village of Gondreville, passing the Maison des Dîmes and along a short stretch of a small road to reach the Marne–Rhine Canal. Return to the car park along the canal.

Explore the circular bends of the Moselle between Gondreville and Villey-Saint-Etienne, passing through: - the old Marne–Rhine Canal, - part of the fortifications at Villet-Saint-Etienne: Shelter No. 1, the Mordant Battery, the Bas du Chêne fortification and the East Vieux Canton fortification, - a wayside shrine with an orientation board above Villey-Saint-Etienne, - the bridges over the Terrouin, Return along the Moselle, the wide-gauge canal and the Fontenoy lock.

Explore the circular loops of the Moselle between Villey-le-Sec and Pierre-la-Treiche, passing by old military structures and caves. From the car park at the Villey-le-Sec dam, hike through the woods of Villey-le-Sec and Pierre-la-Treiche to discover the military structures, then return along the old railway line and the Moselle to visit the caves.

This circular walk, starting from the Mirabeau Bridge, takes in: - the Chapel of Sainte-Madeleine, - the Chapel of the Heath and its statue of the Virgin Mary, - Mirabeau with its fountain, church and castle, - a path overlooking the village of Beaumont-en-Pertuis, - the Chapel of Sainte-Croix and its viewpoints.

A circular walk between Beaumont-de-Pertuis and La Bastide-des-Jourdans, winding through forests and vineyards. Make the most of it by visiting these two beautiful villages with their chapels, castle and fountains.

A circular walk starting from La Bastide-des-Jourdans towards Vitrolles-en-Lubéron, mostly through woodland. A stroll through the pretty village of Vitrolles-en-Lubéron and, on the way back, views of the surroundings of La Bastide-des-Jourdans.

This double circular starting from Verdon allows you to discover: - Notre Dame des Œufs, - the small port along Lake Esparron, It continues with a walk along the old canal with a passage over the rocks. Then a small beach and a path along the lake shore to the entrance to the lower Verdon Gorge. The return journey is through the mountains with distant views of the mountains.

A circular route between Quinson and Lac d'Artignosc, passing on both sides of the Verdon. Walk along tracks and small paths with views of the Verdon at various points and of the villages of Quinson and Artignosc. Return via the Baume Bonne cave and the view of the Quinson dam.

A circular route between Les Orres 1850 and the Pic du Boussolenc via the Terre Rouge valley, suitable for experienced hikers.

Starting from Les Orres 1850 resort, a lovely circular route that passes by the orientation table at 2,769 m and Lake Sainte-Marguerite.

On the Moselle circular route, along the Meurthe between Jarville-la-Malgrange and Malzéville. A hike mainly on cycle paths or specially designed trails to discover the meanders of the tranquil Meurthe with its birds, passing by the Old Mills of Nancy and the historic monument "La Douera" in Malzéville.

A circular walk starting from the Orée du Bois housing estate in Fléville-devant-Nancy, heading to the hamlet of Clos Cardinal via the connecting canal, the Roman bridge and the hamlet of Gerardcourt, and returning via the plain.

A circular route starting from Liverdun, passing through the communal woods of La Fourasse, then in front of Château de la Flie, continuing along the Moselle to Aingeray Lock No. 5. Crossing the Moselle and returning via a cycle path along the river.

A circular route to see both sides of Gréoux-les-Bains – the hills and the plain – passing through the mountains to reach Notre-Dame des Œufs. Further on, reach the viewpoint at Pas du Verré and the cross at Vallée Obscure. For the return journey, head back via the plain and the Aurabelles equestrian centre.

A circular walk between Manosque and Gréoux-les-Bains, passing through the lavender fields with views of the mountains, the forest, the derelict Grand Devançon building overlooking Manosque, and Château Rousset.

A circular walk to visit the villages in the north of the Saintois region: Voinémont, Benney and Lemainville, passing through the Benney forest, the plain between Benney and Lemainville and following the Madon river on the return journey.

A circular route between Saint-Martin-de-Brômes, passing by the Clock Tower and the church, then along the Chemin de la Crête de Saint-Pierre, with views of the mountains behind Moustiers, a descent along a lovely path towards Allemagne-en-Provence, passing by the Château de Castellane, and back down to the plain via the cycle path.

Starting from Flavigny-sur-Moselle, the route follows the Canal de l’Est, climbs through the woods towards Burthécourt-aux-Chênes, crosses the plain to reach Azelot and the railway line, then returns through the woods

A double circular route through the Madon valley to visit the villages of Frolois, Pierreville, Autrey-sur-Madon and Pulligny.

A hike around the village of Richardménil, passing through the Bois Leleau, the Bois Impérial, the Tombouctou plateau with a view of Ludres and Nancy, a visit to the Saint Georges Church before returning via the Canal des Vosges.

Walk around the village of Flavigny-sur-Moselle, passing through the village, along the Canal de l'Est and through the Bois de Benney.

From Boussenois, head towards Foncegrive, partly through the woods; pass through Foncegrive and continue to Selongey, also via a small woodland path; pass through Selongey and head back up via the Sainte-Anne Chapel to return to Boussenois.

The Battle of the Grand Couronné in September 1914 in the Bois de Champenoux. On the lookout for shell holes and trenches at the edge of the woods.A walk partly along paths and partly off-track through the heart of the forest; best undertaken with a GPS or a good sense of direction.This walk can be complemented by exploring other remains from the Battle of the Grand Couronné.

Starting from Houdemont, head towards the Chapelle des Pauvres and its orientation table, passing through the Bois Le Duc. Walk through the paths and viewpoint of the Parc de Brabois and take a tour of the Jardin du Montet with its chapel. Then return via the orientation table above the cemetery, descend into the old village and walk through the gardens of Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy. Return to Houdemont via the Château de la Ronchère.

Along small roads and country lanes across the plain to the west of Sion Hill, visiting the villages of Eulmont, Dommarie, Thorey Lyautey and Étreval, before returning to Chaouilley.

From Praye, head to the Maurice Barrès monument via the Bois de Plaimont. Visit the village of Vaudémont. Return via the plain, passing beneath the hill and the village of Chaouilley. Return to Praye via the path halfway up the hillside, passing beneath the statue of the Virgin Mary.

Starting from Bainville-sur-Madon, head up the hillside, passing through the Bois Fossé and the Viterne quarry; take a detour via the orientation table to see the impressive quarry. Head down towards Viterne through the woods, passing through the village with its fountain, washhouse and church. Return across the plain, passing through the village of Maizières with its wash house, church and Stations of the Cross.

A hike between Gréoux-les-Bains and Saint-Martin-de-Brômes, starting in the mountains, continuing through the Colostre valley and returning via a small path along the Verdon.

A figure-of-eight walk to explore the village and the surroundings of Valensole, passing through the lavender fields and olive groves.

A circular hike starting from Celles-sur-Plaine, climbing up into the forest towards the three German observatories from the First World War. La Pierre Piquée, then the Pain de Sucre, passing by the Vierge de Dialtrepoix, and ending at the highest point, the Tête du Coquin, passing by the Coquin and Riangoutte fountains. The walk is partly signposted by Tourisme de Mémoire signs.La Pierre Piquée, with its parapets and blockhouses, just outside the site, Le Pain de Sucre with its ramparts and a beautiful view from the top of Le Coquin.

Forest walk in the Bois des Maires and Bois des Barres areas of the Amance National Forest, following the traces of trenches, concrete shelters and blockhouses from the Battle of Grand Couronné during the 1914–1918 war. Circular route that could be classified as difficult, as it involves walking deep in the forest, mostly off-trail, in search of military structures. Please note that this walk presents navigation difficulties. See the recommendations in: practical information.

Part of the Tour du Grand Nancy route, a circular stage between Coyviller and Rosières-aux-Salines. A walk mainly along gravel tracks, except in the Bois de la Blanche Croix. Setting off from the village of Coyviller along a lovely track, the route arrives above Rosières-aux-Salines with a view of the salt pans, then descends into the village to visit these three monuments: the church, the fountain and the fortified tower. Climb back up onto the plateau to reach the Bois de la Blanche Croix, where you’ll find a blockhouse with its shelter and trenches – a remnant of the First World War – offering a stunning view over the Meurthe valley. Return via tracks and a short stretch of road to reach the two ponds at Coyviller.

On the Tour du Grand Nancy route, a circular route between Dommartin-sous-Amance and the Priory of Blanzey in Bouxières-aux-Chênes. Set off along a country lane to reach Laître-sous-Amance with its medieval church. Climb up to Amance via a small, well-maintained path, taking in the village, the listed church, the hilltop of the old fortified castle and the views over the towns north of Nancy, then over the valley of Bouxières-aux-Chênes and Leyr. Follow a track to reach part of the village of Bouxières-aux-Chênes and head to the Priory of Blanzey. Then, via a woodland path, take a short walk through the Bois de Blanzey to visit the tower and the old orchards of Crany. Return to the starting point via a field path and a stony track.

A walk in search of the locations of the batteries in the woods of Côte Jadelot and Grand Mont in Amance. These batteries defended the soldiers in the Amance en Contrebas State Forest. Return via the old Amance iron mine. Circular route that can be classified as moderate despite short forays deep into the forest with a few off-trail sections in search of military structures.

On the ‘Tour du Grand Nancy’ route, a circular stage through the Haye State Forest, starting from Clairlieu and heading towards Les Baraques. The walk is mainly through woodland on wide tracks and narrow forest paths. Visit to two blockhouses dating from the First World War and what remains of the Cistercian Abbey of Clairlieu. On the IGN map, near the coordinates (6), there is a symbol for a cave; in fact, it is enclosed within a building and therefore of no interest.

On the GR®7 trail between the Col des Vaux, in the commune of Verosvres, and Chevagny-sur-Guye, passing by the Butte de Suin This is a very quiet section of the GR®7. There are no signposts at some junctions and no footprints in the tall grass to mark the route, so you must take an IGN map with you, although a GPS device is preferable. This section of the GR® needs to be more popular, as it is not difficult and offers beautiful scenery. The view from the Butte de Suin is magnificent.

On the GR®7 trail, between the Col des Vaux in the commune of Verosvres and Mont Rigaud, passing through the village of Saint-Bonnet-des-Bruyères. There are many shaded sections in the forest and beautiful landscapes. The trail is sometimes unmarked, so bring an IGN map, but it is preferable to have a GPS device.