A circular route through several villages in Lorraine starting from Custines

Park in the car park near the Custines Post Office.

(S/E) Walk to the church square, pass in front of the town hall, and reach the corner of the Louis Guingot School.

(1) Turn left onto Rue des Écoles, then continue along the path that follows it. Join Rue de la Garenne.

(2) Turn left onto it, continue up the path to reach the crossroads at the hamlet of Sur la Côte.

(3) Take the path on the right, which continues to climb gently. Walk alongside a wood until you reach a clearing offering an interesting view.

(4) Continue straight ahead, enter the Bois du Chapitre, then come to a crossroads with several directions.

(5) Follow the path on the left, cross the track and continue along the path opposite, slightly to the right. You will reach the D44a.

(6) Cross carefully and take the path opposite. Walk along flat ground then slightly downhill, continuing straight ahead until you reach the D90e at the edge of the woods.

(7) Turn left and follow this road carefully to the hamlet of Bratte.

(8) Continue to the right, heading due east along the ridge, to reach the Col de Vassuchamp.

(9) Turn right to descend along the edge of the woods, then take the path across the fields. You will reach the village of Montenoy, at the Fontaine de la Mauchére on the edge of the D90.

(10) Cross with care and continue straight ahead along Rue de la Croisette. Take the path that follows it, arriving at the edge of the Bois de Montenois.

(11) Turn right at almost a 90-degree angle; the path overlooks all the orchards of the Mauchére valley. Reach the crossroads and the viewpoint on the Chemin des Tayes.

(12) Turn left to quickly join the GR®5.

(13) Follow it to the right, then leave it in the woods to go left before rejoining it. Continue left until you reach an X-shaped crossroads.

(14) Leave the GR® to take the track on the left, and very quickly turn right. Continue through the woods and, following an almost level path, rejoin the GR®.

(15) Leave it immediately and turn left heading due south. Continue to the fourth junction.

(16) Take a track to the right at a 90° angle, then quickly turn right again onto the second path, continuing along the wider track that follows it. You will rejoin the GR®5.

(17) Turn left onto it and follow it down the steep descent to reach the entrance to Custines, opposite the Espace Maurice Haas.

(18) Cross carefully and head for the roundabout. Go round it on the right, using the pedestrian crossings, to reach the Post Office car park (S/E).

Water sources are scarce along the route.
Beautiful views of the Lorraine orchards.
Ideal time to enjoy a variety of colours across the valley: April–May. (rapeseed – fruit trees)

(S/E) Bakery at the start of the walk.
(4) Viewpoint on the left: the Moselle valley; on the right: Pompey and the confluence of the Meurthe and the Moselle.
(9) Col de Vassuchamps (361 m): beautiful view of the Lorraine countryside. A spot suitable for a lunch break.
(17) Viewpoint over Custines and the surrounding area.

(8) Bratte: a Lorraine village with its old stone buildings.
(10) The Mauchère is a stream about 10 km long. It rises in the hills above Montenoy and flows through the villages of Montenoy, Faulx, Malleloy and Custines before joining the Moselle. In the past, several mills were built along the Mauchère. Furthermore, two iron mines were operated in Faulx and Malleloy to extract the famous ‘minette’ ore.
(12)Beautiful views of the village of Faulx and the orchards of Lorraine.