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The National Necropolis is located at a place called La Fontenelle, which is part of the municipality of Ban-de-Sapt.
Parking is available at the shaded picnic area at the very beginning of the site. To get there, follow the signs for Site de La Fontenelle - Grande Guerre 14-18, whether coming from Saint-Dié-des-Vosges (via Saint-Jean-d'Ormont and Launois) or from Moyenmoutier or Senones (via Le Palon).
(S/E) Head towards the necropolis and its cemetery. There are various paths leading off to the sides, with memorial stones and information panels.
(1) Look for the return path on the left and continue straight ahead.
(2) Pass to the right of the cemetery and enjoy the view of the valley and the Ortomont hillside. Continue downhill towards the hamlet of La Fontenelle (marked with a blue diamond and yellow rectangle crossed with white). At the bottom of the descent, you will arrive at an intersection in the village.
(3) Turn left and then continue to the right (green sign). Descend towards Saint-Jean-d'Ormont, turning left twice: also marked with a yellow rectangle crossed with white. You will reach the intersection with the route that climbs to the left, which you will take a little later.
(4) First, continue to the right, downhill. Then turn right to reach the Saint-Jean-d'Ormont pond.
(5) This pond is a peaceful and bucolic spot that is well worth a visit. Turn around and follow the route back to the intersection you spotted earlier.
(4) Turn right uphill: follow the yellow rectangle with a white stripe markings for the rest of the route, as well as the image of a Poilu, which corresponds to the Sentier des Lignes de Front. Continue uphill (gentle) and, after about 25 minutes, take a discreet path that climbs to the right.
(6) At this intersection, there is a sign indicating: Viewpoint 20 m. Take a short detour to the left to reach it. The scars of battle are still very visible throughout this area.
Resume the route and arrive in a very open area, then at a crossroads.
(7) There is a beautiful view of the southern slope of Cote 627. Continue straight ahead uphill through the field, following the yellow rectangle with a white stripe markings, then turn right into a cultivated field (cross the wire fence).
(8) Turn left into what looks like an old trench and rejoin the tarmac road you took at the start.
(1) Turn right to reach the picnic area, the starting point of the hike (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
