Sainte-Brigide Church and the Lovers’ Path

The route starts at the car park of Sainte-Brigide Church.

(S/E) With your back to the church, go to the end of the car park where, between two houses and to the right of a green gate, a small path begins (Sentier des Grandes Corvées). It will very quickly lead onto Rue des Marivaux. Turn left and enter the forest. Follow the path uphill, taking the left fork in the road to go past the Source des Marivaux. About 10 metres further on, in front of the first small fort, take the path on the right which leads to the Saint-Quentin Arboretum via a series of three flights of stairs, each with around ten steps.

(1) Turn left when you come out onto the road after leaving the arboretum to follow the Red Ring.
The road descends gently to the sign marking the entrance to the town of Plappeville.
Then follow the road which climbs to the right, passing by the barrier preventing vehicle access.

(2) After 150 m, turn left into the undergrowth to continue following the Red Ring and reach the Chemin des Amoureux.
After just under a kilometre, the path joins the tourist road; follow this to the right, leaving the Red Ring behind.
Head up this tarmac road to reach the summit and the first foothills of Fort Gérardin (on the right). Stay on this lovely road and head down towards Scy-Chazelles.
After four houses on your left, you’ll reach the Croix du Gibet.

(3) This is where you should leave the road and take a small path on the right that climbs very steeply (Blue Ring).
After 200 m, do not take the path leading down to the left but continue straight on, following the Blue Ring.

(4) Continue climbing steadily to emerge from the woodland and reach a beautiful meadow, then turn right (Blue Ring). This is the highest point of this walk.

(5) Stay on this stony path until you reach the Col de Lessy. Walk past the small car park on the right and continue along the second road on the left, following the ‘Parcours de santé’ sign.
Pass the first barrier blocking the road and continue climbing. At the second red and white barrier, turn right onto the path leading to the fitness trail. After 150 m, take the path on the right which descends into the forest. This path leads to a small meadow at the end of which several benches have been placed, offering a beautiful view over Metz and its surroundings.

(6) Walk down through this meadow, taking a sunken path on the right which leads to the Route de Tignomont. Turn left until you reach the pedestrian crossing.
There, turn right into Ruelle des Écoles and head towards the square, then continue straight on along Rue de l’Ancienne Mairie. Turn left into Rue Paul Ferry, then turn right into Rue du Général de Gaulle for about ten metres. Turn right again into Ruelle à Four. You’ll first come out onto Rue de l’Abbé Rohmer on the left, then immediately right to follow the ‘Église’ sign, and then left to reach the (S/E).

There are benches along the entire route, notably at the arboretum, before the pass on the tourist route, at the Croix du Gibet and at point (6).
Bins are also available throughout this walk; please remember to dispose of your rubbish in them so that we can keep this route as pleasant as ever.

St Brigid’s Church (a historical figure who lived in Ireland from 452 to 523): information panel in front of the cemetery.
Fort Girardin: a military complex comprising the forts of Diou and Girardin; this fortified group, built in 1870, formed part of Metz’s first military belt. It could accommodate 600 soldiers.