Amidst vineyards and church spires, starting from Charmes

From Épinal, take the N57 towards Nancy and leave it at the Charmes junction. Park at the “Les Îles” campsite or in the car park on Rue du Patis near the crossroads in Charmes.

Signposting: Yellow Rectangle on a grey background along the entire route

(S/E) Setting off from the Charmes campsite, head west and follow the Canal de l’Est. Pass through a lock to reach the junction marking the start of the circular route.

(1) Carry on straight ahead. Pass close to a shooting range, go past the first bridge to reach the second one at the Étangs du Pâquis (lock) at a T-junction.

(2) Turn left; further on, cross the D157 with care and take Rue Principale to pass through the village of Socourt. Continue straight on at the junction in the centre of the village, pass the town hall, leave Rue de Verdun on your right and take the next street (Rue de Viacelle) for 100 m until you reach a Y-junction.

(3) Head up the slope to the left along Chemin des Vignes, which leads up to the higher parts of the village. Enjoy a magnificent view of the Moselle valley, the Canal de l’Est and the neighbouring villages. Continue for 500 m, gradually discovering the surrounding countryside, with its local flora and fauna well worth admiring. You’ll come to a road.

(4) Take the road opposite and carry on straight ahead until you reach another track (Route d’Hergugney) to join the N 57.

(5) After passing under the N 57, turn left and continue along the track for about 300 metres.

(6) Turn right twice. Continue down the road until you reach a four-way junction.

(7) Carry on straight ahead along the road (Rue Saint-Romaric). Pass the Croix Saint-Romaric on your left just before Avrainville. As you enter the village, do take a moment to admire the fountains and old farmhouses. Go past the church and the cemetery until you reach a junction. Turn right, then immediately left onto Rue Eugène Jeandin, with the town hall on your right.

(8) Take this road towards Florémont, a charming village built on the hillside. Continue straight on for 1.5 km (there is only one junction: go straight on) until you reach a stony track which forms part of^{the GR®507}(second junction).

(9) Follow the red and white markings of^{the GR®507}, heading straight on. Continue straight ahead until you reach the next street (Rue Croix Vincent). Follow this street until you reach the first buildings in Florémont.

(10) Turn left to stay on the street, continuing straight ahead and ignoring all paths to the right and left until you reach Rue du Saulcy (on the left).

(11) Take the street opposite, which leads to a stony track for 600 m before reaching a junction.

(12) Turn right, then left, continuing to follow the^GR®507. 50 m further on, carry straight on until you approach the N 57.

(13) Take the Chemin des Coteaux and pass under the N 57. Continue straight on, following the^GR®507signposts. After carefully crossing the D157a, turn right onto a footpath. At the end of the path, turn left onto Rue des Bretonnes and follow it to the end, then turn right onto the D157 until you reach the next junction in Charmes.

(14) Turn left and carry on straight ahead along Rue de l’Écluse, crossing the Canal de l’Est to rejoin the starting point of the circular route.

(1) Turn right to return to the starting point (S/E).

Thank you to the FRPP for organising this walk and for the work carried out by its teams throughout the year to signpost and maintain these paths.

This circular trail can be started from various points: the car park at Les Iles campsite in Charmes, the car park at the Socourt community hall (near (3)), Place des Chanoinesses in Avrainville (near (8)) or in front of the town hall in Florémont (near (11)).

(2) Étang du Pâquis.

Between (7) and (8): Croix Saint-Romaric.

In the village of Florémont: Saint-Basle Church, dating from 1789.