Groupe fortifié du Saint-Quentin walks

This first stage of the route takes us into the Meuse department via footpaths, tracks reserved for farm machinery or small country lanes. The detour into Meurthe-et-Moselle offers the chance to visit several castles. There are several spots along the route ideal for a picnic, including the Étang d’Amel within a nature reserve, provided you set off early to reach it before lunchtime.

The V50 cycle route (Luxembourg - Lyon) crosses the Messine conurbation, running alongside the Moselle from La Maxe to Augny. Like the author, who set off from Lorry-lès-Metz, it is easy to join the route and follow it to Blénod-lès-Pont-à-Mousson, between ponds and wetlands, riding mostly on dedicated cycle paths. Then you cross "Little Lorraine Switzerland" on quiet roads to rejoin the Moselle at Liverdun, nestled in one of its beautiful meanders. Following the river along the V533 greenway, you soon come into view of Toul Cathedral, the first stop on the journey.

On the first day, you’ll need to cycle to the nearest or most suitable station to catch the train to Bettembourg. In this guide, we’ve chosen Hagondange station for the reasons explained in the practical information section. It’s easy to adapt this section to suit your starting point, choosing another station on the line between Nancy and Luxembourg.

The village of Chassepierre is a little paradise on the banks of the Semois, very close to the French and Luxembourg borders, just 120 km from Metz.Our route takes 3 or 4 days: one and a half days to reach Chassepierre, half a day or one and a half days there to enjoy the surroundings, and one day for the return journey, part of which is by train. It is also possible, as the author of this route did, to attend the performances at the street arts festival, which takes place in the afternoons and evenings on the Saturday and Sunday following 15 August. The first long stage (over 90 km) takes us beyond the Chiers and the Ton via a very direct route through France. The following morning, it’s just a 30 km cycle, plus an optional visit to Orval Abbey. The return journey to Metz follows the Semois upstream before heading into Luxembourg to catch the train.

For this first stage, the route seems very direct but stays well away from the main roads. It follows country lanes, tracks reserved for farm machinery, forest paths and cycle paths!

The second part of the stage from Conflans-Jarny station is a route along small country roads back to Metz. The grounds of Moncel Castle near Jarny are an ideal spot for a break. From the Montvaux Valley, which we pass through, it is easy to reach the southern part of the Metz conurbation.