Off to the Vosges!

Leaving the valleys of the Champagne region for the Vosges. A bucolic break at Circourt-sur-Mouzon allows you to admire some surprising limestone cliffs with a southern feel, before arriving in Neufchâteau, a small historic town nestling in the heart of the Lorraine countryside.

Along the way, you'll come across a number of charming little villages. In Pompierre, the Romanesque portal of the church of Saint-Martin, a superb example of Romanesque sculpture, is well worth a visit.

Then stop off at Circourt-sur-Mouzon and take time to observe the limestone cliffs that dominate the meandering Mouzon, a tributary of the Meuse. The plateau is a protected natural site. Accessible by waymarked footpath, it is home to some incredible flora and fauna. The limestone grasslands are dotted with orchids and rare butterflies, which can be seen between April and July: a particularity of the western Vosges! Numerous promontories offer great views over the valley below.

In Neufchâteau, named one of France's 100 Most Beautiful Detours, you can explore 1,000 years of history. Like the church of Saint-Nicolas and the church of Saint-Christophe, which take you back to the 11th century. The town is home to other heritage treasures, some of which have been kept secret! The Renaissance staircase of the Hôtel d'Houdreville, the former magistrates' court and the Italian-style theatre, both housed in the historic convent of the Dames Augustines: many buildings from the 16th and 18th centuries trace the history of the town. Closely linked to the story of Joan of Arc, Neufchâteau also perpetuates the memory of the Lorraine heroine. But let's save the story of Joan of Arc for the next stage...