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To get to Saint-Germain, take the RD486 between Lure and Mélisey. Pass the town hall (check the shooting range's opening days, as part of the route may be closed) and follow Rue des Écoles for 500 metres. Park your car just after the last houses at the corner of the woods.
(S/E) Follow the paved road (signposted Fontaine Verte) that enters the forest and passes in front of an isolated house at a place called "Derrière Montaigu". The road surface becomes stony and passes over a large dyke, revealing the "La Grande Pile" peat bog on the right.
(1) At the bend, take the path that leads off to the right into this 150,000-year-old protected area.
__It is essential to stay on the path and use the footbridges that have been installed, otherwise you will sink into the peat, which is often more than 10 metres deep. The wet landscape with its forest of pollarded birch trees transports you to another world. At the end of the peat bog, do not turn left (large yellow sign) but continue straight ahead, following the signs for Fontaine Verte. A few information boards catch the hiker's attention.
The trail leaves the marshy area and climbs and winds through the forest. It comes out onto a good path which you should take to the left (towards Franchevelle – signposted Fontaine Verte and the horseshoe-shaped bridle path). Don't be tempted by this beautiful straight line; instead, take the path on the left marked with the Fontaine Verte sign, which will lead to a forest road that you must cross. A few hundred metres further on, turn right into a trench and follow it to reach the banks of the Étang du Grand Saint-Maurice (also known as the Grand Étang du Mont Reveaux).
(2) There are numerous facilities where you can take a short break. Cross the dyke and turn left at the end to go around a smaller pond. Turn left again onto the dyke around this pond. At the road, turn slightly right and then immediately left to follow the straight trench (unmarked) to rejoin a second forest road.
(3) Then turn right (you will see the Fontaine Verte signpost) and leave the woods to come out onto a good tarmac road. If shooting practice is taking place, turn left to return to point 9, otherwise turn right and continue for about 30 metres, noting a stone cross dating from 1863.
(4) Turn left onto the straight track that leads to the dyke of a beautiful pond, which is unfortunately often empty. The beautiful track continues along a path that curves sharply to the left, with another pond on the left, and arrives at the dyke of a third pond, which is usually dry, leading to a beautiful path.
(5) At the end of the bend, take the first path on the right and cross the stream over a small bridge.
(6) Leave the woods, cross the meadow and, in the woods opposite, take a poor path on the left at the foot of the wooded hill. After 500m, you will come to a slightly better path. Turn left again, continue for 100m and you will see the "Fontaine Verte" signpost.
(7) At the first signpost, turn immediately left into the damp copse, cross the stream on a footbridge and walk to the Saint-Desle fountain and back. The path is well marked with numerous signposts.
(8) Retrace your steps to the previous crossroads.
(7) Take the path on the left that you left on the way out, which passes between pastures. When you reach the paved road, linger near the model aircraft enthusiasts.
(9) Continue straight ahead towards Saint-Germain. After 300 metres, leave the tarmac road and turn left into the forest (marker on the last pasture post on the right). The path winds its way up to the biggest climb of the day (35 m elevation gain). You will notice the Pierre des Ânes, shaped like a school desk with an inkwell. It is said to have been a meeting place for schoolchildren playing truant.
(10) Continue along the path. At the edge of the woods, turn left and, despite the low height, you will see a viewpoint over Saint-Germain on the right.
A short descent brings us back to our vehicle (S/E).
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Tourist office
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