The Croix des Danses route in Saint-Bresson

Park in the car park in front of the church.

(S/E) Facing the church, leave the car park on the left, heading back towards the entrance to Saint-Bresson. Cross the road carefully to take the street on the right, marked with a Yellow Arrow, then turn immediately left. Walk past the Saint-Brice Chapel, which stands alongside an old blacksmith’s workshop. Turn left again at the next junction, then right into Rue des Planches Helles. Follow this street straight ahead until you reach a path opening up on your right. Take this path, which passes in front of a house and is marked by a small wayside shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

(1) Turn right onto the path that begins to climb into the woods. Follow it straight on until you reach the entrance, on your left, to a fairly narrow path, which is not very visible but well signposted.

(2) Take this path, which takes you round in a 180° turn. The path climbs quite steeply and makes another 180° turn, this time to the right. Along the way, you’ll notice a second wayside shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary on your right. Keep following the path, going round a house on the right before reaching the Croix des Danses, which you’ll see on your left.

(3) Continue straight ahead. Cross a small road and take the path opposite to reach the hamlet of Les Planches-le-Pit, where you will see the Croix des Planches-le-Pit on your left.

(4) Continue along the road through a beautiful beech forest. After a slight bend to the right, a lovely straight stretch opens up ahead of you. Follow it to the end.

(5) Take the path branching off to the right at the bend to the left. Follow this path straight ahead, ignoring two turnings on the right. At the first fork you come to, take the right-hand branch. Continue straight ahead until you come to a path crossing yours. Ignore it and carry on straight ahead. Further on, pass a turning on the right to reach a small road.

(6) Cross over and continue straight on along the path, which makes a wide circular loop to the right to go round the hamlet of La Corbière. Follow the path in the same direction until you see, on your right, a picnic area with an information board.

(7) Continue straight on until you reach a small road. Take it to the right, turn left at the first junction, then go straight on at the next junction. Turn right a little further on, to avoid Les Claudiney du Haut. Continue along this road, which takes a sharp left-hand bend to reach a junction with a small road.

(8) Take a first turn right then left to join the Route des Goutelles. Note the Croix des Goutelles at the entrance to a private property situated immediately to the left of the start of the road. Continue straight ahead, ignore a driveway on the right, then veer left to continue towards Les Vaubourgs.

Pass between two houses to find a small path which you follow straight on, ignoring the entrances on both the right and left. Just before reaching a small road, you will see the Croix du Gazon on your left.

(9) Continue for a few metres along the road, then take a small path that opens up on the left and descends steeply. Follow it until you reach the Route de Rovillers (D136). You will then see the Croix du Gravier on your left.

(10) Turn right and follow the road with care: it is a busy road! At a junction on your left, marked by a bridge, you will see the Croix du Champ de Lamage. Continue along the road until you reach the rear of Saint-Bresson church, where you will see another cross. A few more steps and you will find yourself back at the church car park (S/E).

• Car park at the entrance to Saint-Bresson, with a signpost for the walks, or near the church.
• The walk is well signposted with Yellow Arrows or Yellow Rings.
• There is a lovely picnic spot just past the La Corbière bypass. A magnificent view of the Plafaing awaits you!

• The Route des Chalots passes through here. The car park also features an information board. A chalot (a small wooden structure used as a granary in the southern Vosges) is open to visitors.