A history of water in Norroy-le-Veneur

Water is everywhere in Norroy-le-Veneur: wash houses, the Fontaine aux Chênes, and the Moulin aux Prés. The fortified church and the Highland cattle are also well worth a visit.

Details

4392371
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.78 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 322 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 344 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 968 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 696 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park at the A. Bourson village hall (marked ‘Notre Dame’ on the map).

(S/E) Head up Rue de Charrau (D50) towards Norroy.

(1) At the bend in the road, take the path on the left. At the end of this path, turn left onto Rue de Plesnois and continue to the Fork in the road by the cemetery.

(2) Take the path on the right – a hairpin bend – which runs alongside the cemetery.

(3) When you reach the church, go down a few steps and walk round the building to the right, then turn left and go back up the steps to read the information board. Walk past the town hall and join the Grand Rue. Head left until you reach the start of Rue Godier.

(4) Turn left onto the narrow lane between the houses. At the end, turn right, then at the roundabout, take the road on the right. Continue along a field path leading to Sous Norroy.

(5) Turn left into Rue de Sous Norroy.

(6) Take the first path on the left which climbs up to the Fontaine aux Chênes. Retrace your steps along the same path back to Sous Norroy.

(5) Go straight on and, at the three-way junction, head down to the right along Rue de la Rinquelle.

(7) At the wash house, turn left onto Rue de la Côte, then turn right onto the wide Chemin de Coquiotte. Follow this path to the Moulin aux Prés.

(8) Walk round the mill and continue to the Route de Semécourt. Turn right and head back to the starting car park on the left (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 735 ft - A. Bourson Village Hall
  2. 1 : mi 0.21 - alt. 804 ft - Path on the left at the bend
  3. 2 : mi 0.53 - alt. 873 ft - Cemetery fork in the road
  4. 3 : mi 0.9 - alt. 853 ft - Église Saint-Pierre (Norroy-le-Veneur)
  5. 4 : mi 1.13 - alt. 843 ft - Path on the right between the houses
  6. 5 : mi 1.58 - alt. 823 ft - Rue de Sous Norroy
  7. 6 : mi 1.76 - alt. 863 ft - Path towards the - Fontaine au Chêne (Norroy-le-Veneur)
  8. 7 : mi 2.91 - alt. 781 ft - Turn left onto Rue de la Côte (wash house)
  9. 8 : mi 3.46 - alt. 696 ft - Moulin aux Prés
  10. S/E : mi 3.78 - alt. 725 ft - A. Bourson Village Hall

Notes

Other starting points are possible (car parks in the village of Norroy). Here, we follow a clockwise route.
The final section on the road to Semécourt is dangerous – keep well to the kerb!

Worth a visit

Between (1) and (2), to the left of Rue de Plesnois – marked with a cross on the map – lies the grave of a Prussian soldier from the 1870 war. Private Kurt Ribbentrop of the 5th Brandenburg Infantry Regiment was killed on 7 October 1870 during the Battle of Ladonchamps, whilst Metz was under siege.

Beyond (2), the path offers lovely views of the countryside towards Semécourt and La Maxe.

St Peter’s Church (marked with a star) was remodelled up until the 15th century. The crypt dates from the 11th century. The battlements, arrow slits and two Romanesque keep-towers make it a fine example of a fortified church.
An adjoining garden features sculptures in Jaumont stone by artists from Roncourt.

After (4), the wash houses at Godier(marked ‘Lav’) and Domdémé (before (5), at the bend in the path) date from the 18th century.

After (6), at the start of the path, you may spot a herd of Highland cattle. They are of Scottish origin and well adapted to the cold thanks to their thick coats, as well as to poor, steep terrain. They are excellent at clearing undergrowth.

The Fontaine aux Chênes is fed by the source of the Norroy stream. A large stone basin, it was probably once a cattle trough.

Between (5) and (7) on Rue de la Rinquelle, take a look at the former vicarage on the right.

Just after (7) there is another washhouse, converted into an electrical substation (the 19th-century Fontaine de Larue).

Before (8), on the left, there are a few blockhouses protecting the Lorraine fortified complex situated above Plesnois.

(8) The Moulin aux Prés (a large building on the right before the bend) operated from the Middle Ages until the Second World War. To compensate for the lack of water, a steam engine was added to this communal wheat mill in the 19th century. It was partially destroyed by a fire in 2018.

*Note: Text in bold refers to a photograph.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
F0755
F0755

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk

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Bp57
Bp57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, shame that a fountain has been turned into an electrical transformer. Very pleasant in good weather, you discover a pretty village.

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Gatti Gerard
Gatti Gerard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It is a beautiful walk in the heart of nature, surrounded by birds and nature.

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4807
4807

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, visit to the lovely village in Lorraine. Wonderful encounters
Best done in dry weather

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Jean Claude G1.
Jean Claude G1.

Great for cows!
Thank you for your comment.
JC

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SebHan
SebHan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I discovered this pretty little village not far from my home on a beautiful day.
It was very rejuvenating, both literally and figuratively
There are some very clear views along the way!
There are a few sights to see along the way, which are clearly marked in the description.
The Highland cows were there waiting for us!

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Blanche pivoine
Blanche pivoine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, very precise directions, lovely scenery, a wonderful discovery not far from home.

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Jean Claude G1.
Jean Claude G1.
• Edited:

Thank you, Caroline, and enjoy your walks in our beautiful region. JC

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Caroline57
Caroline57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery under a sun that heralds spring. No particular difficulties. I recommend it.

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Jean Claude G1.
Jean Claude G1.

Thank you. JC

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stot
stot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, varied and well documented.

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Jean Claude G1.
Jean Claude G1.

Thank you for your comments. Were the Highland cows there? Best regards, JC

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5corinne
5corinne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little walk! And it's the first time we haven't got lost!

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Jean Claude G1.
Jean Claude G1.
• Edited:

The weather is indeed not ideal for hiking. I am currently in the Vosges, and the melting snow is turning all the trails into streams!
Norroy will have to wait for better weather... Thank you for the ratings.
Best regards
JC

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ancdec
ancdec

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The village of Norroy is beautifully situated and the church is one of the most beautiful in the region. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the entire route because in January 2021 the paths were too muddy and virtually impassable. Only the paved sections were possible. To be redone in dry weather.

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