10. Contrexéville to Darney

The de Lignéville family is one of the oldest in Lorraine. In the 15th century Jean III de Lignéville built a funeral chapel for his family. He will put it under the protection of Saint Basle who was born around 545, originating from a noble family of the Limoges region. He went on pilgrimage to Rheims to visit the tomb of Saint Rémi around 583. The bishop of Rheims authorized him to occupy a former convent founded around 530 on the mountain of Rheims.
Over the centuries the chapel changed from a noble family after the Revolution and became private property. It was then ceded to the diocese of Saint-Dié which gave it to the commune of Lignéville for the symbolic euro. In 2016, renovation works restored the chapel to its full splendour. During this restoration work, three sarcophagi and several graves were discovered, attesting to the presence of a cemetery that predates the construction of the chapel.

Built in the 14th century and refurbished in the 16th century, the castle was successively occupied by several Lorraine families. The de Reinach family, Chamberlain to Charles III Duke of Lorraine, the de Haraucourt family in the 17th century. Antoine Jullien, adviser to the King, bought it at the beginning of the 18th century. During the Revolution he was guillotined and his daughter inherited the estate. The castle will change owners during the 19th and 20th century to remain a private property that can not be visited.

The Via Columbani passes close to the ruins of Bonneval Priory in the heart of the forest. Priory of Canons Regular of the Order of St. Augustine, founded in the 11th century. This priory, under the invocation of Notre-Dame, was originally a small hermitage which served as a retreat for Wichard, brother of Engibalde, founder of Hérival (Val-d'Ajol, Vosges).
Leave your path to follow the signs and arrive at the remains of the 11th century priory, destroyed during the Revolution.
You can continue your visit to the Celtic camp located on a hill. At 1km from the priory.

Unusual in the middle of the forest and at the bend in your path you will discover this rock representing the scenes of childhood and the passion of Christ. It was carved by a local stonemason at the end of the 18th century.

A Benedictine Priory of the Order of Cluny, it was founded in 1049 by Ricuin de Darney and Lancède, his wife, for six religious who were responsible for distributing aid to the needy and travellers three times a week. This priory was confirmed by Leo IX around 1049.
The Romanesque church is worth a visit.

Before you arrive in Darney you will discover on your right a monument on a hill. You can go out of your way to reach the small hill (300m).

On June 30, 1918, France recognized the right to independence and freedom of the Czech and Slovak peoples in front of 6,000 Czech and Slovak legionnaires from Camp Kleber. A monument, located at the Darney exit towards Monthureux-sur-Saône, recalls this event.