Route des Fontaines

Start and finish at Place Sainte-Anne, at the junction of the CD 643 (formerly the RN 43) and the D 24.

(S) Set off southwards, towards Xivry-Circourt/Briey.

(1) Take the second right, then go straight on.
Further down, pass the first tunnel-fountain. Continue and cross the D 24.

(2) Carry on straight ahead between the houses. After 100 m, take the track leading towards the forest. 200 m further on, on your left below, under the large lime trees, is the second tunnel fountain known as “Fontenette”. Then continue along this track, straight ahead (do not turn left down the path). About 200 to 300 m further on, just before the edge of the forest, the track enters the woods and forms a fork in the road.

(3) Turn right and head uphill. You’ll return to the plain. At the end of the tarmac road, turn left, then further on, take the first right towards the village.

(4) Staying on this path, at the corner of the first house, turn left, between gardens and houses (north). At the end, turn right. You’ll reach the former RN 43. Turn right, then head south back to the starting point (E).

For mountain bikes, head in the same direction at the start but take the first right after the car repair garage, then turn left, cross the farmyard, and turn left again. At the end, you’ll rejoin the route by turning right.

Water points: the fountains.
Shelter: Place Sainte-Anne (a bus shelter) and the fountains.

Two very pretty, traditional fountains, known as ‘tunnel fountains’.
The first, in the heart of the village, is magnificent and has been restored. Stunning photos guaranteed. Do try taking a shot from the inside looking out – a great backlit effect is guaranteed with a good SLR-type camera.
A little further on (about 150 metres from this first fountain), there’s a superb log cabin on your left, offering a magnificent view of the Pienne Valley below. A truly beautiful panorama, even – and especially – in winter when it’s snowing. In the forest, just past the village, is the second tunnel fountain, known as “Fontenette”, which looks superb in its natural state, right in the heart of the woods. It’s a quiet, cool spot in summer, beneath the hundred-year-old lime trees.
Make the most of being in the old village (at the start) to explore the area around the church, its square and the nearby PETITJEAN farmyard. Try playing with the echoes between the walls of this square in winter, when the ground reverberates with your footsteps: it’s quite surprising!