Grand Arches Historical Circular Route

Start at the junction of Rue du Pont des Nauves, Allée des Aulnes and Rue de Levray; there is a car park (free).

(S/E) Follow the canal, cross a path, two small roads and a forest track, and head for the next junction, approximately 5.5 km from the start.

(1) Leave the canal bank and turn right. At the next junction, continue left and you’ll reach a road with household waste bins.

(2) Turn left and arrive at the American Cemetery in Épinal. Pass through the entrance and arrive at the cemetery.

(3) Retrace your steps to the junction with the household waste bins.

(2) Carry on straight ahead to reach the canal bank. Follow the route along the road, passing close to the houses. As the canal runs underground here, you will need to climb the hill to reach it.

(4) Take the small path through the woods and go down (it’s safer on foot) to reach the other side of the canal.
As this area is narrow and uphill, it is safer.

Follow it to the left, then, at the three-way junction, turn left onto the dead-end road (Rue de la Houée). Ignore a turn-off to the right and proceed to the next junction.

(5) Turn right and continue along this track, straight ahead, to the Bois d’Arches intermediate depot (building).

(6) Continue along the track and take a sharp left-hand bend at the next junction. Then ignore a turn-off to the right and then one to the left, and you will reach the M59 battery a few metres after turning right into the wide left-hand bend.

(7) Continue along the forest track, take the^second turn-off on the left and you will reach a fork.

(8) Turn left for a return trip to Redoubt No. 02.

(9) Turn back and return to the previous junction.

(8) Continue straight on until you find a path branching off to the left at the^third bend to the right of the track.

(10) Take the path on the left and you will reach Redoubt No. 01.

(11) This redoubt is in the middle of the forest. Then turn left, heading south in a straight line, and keep left at the next junction. At the road, turn left and head towards the centre of Lamenil, passing a house on your right with a hipped roof.

(12) Turn right, heading slightly downhill (Route d'Arches), and reach the car park (S/E).

Bring between one and two litres of water per person and something to eat, as you will be passing through Lamenil and there is a fairly steep climb.

Places to see along the way:
- Épinal American Cemetery.
- Bois d'Arches intermediate military depot.
- M59 Battery at Bois d'Arches.
- Redoubt No. 2 at Bois d'Arches.
- Redoubt No. 1 at Bois d'Arches.