Châtenois to Contrexéville
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Châtenois to Contrexéville
Grand Est

9. Châtenois to Contrexéville

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A walk that alternates meadows, forests and heritage, ending at the spa town of Contrexéville and its rich heritage.


Leaving Châtenois, a first stop is necessary at Sandaucourt, to admire its church and its castle. Then you walk through the fertile countryside and forests of the Vosges. When you arrive in the spa town of Contrexeville you take the Chemin des Dames to cross the thermal park. You will discover the history of this town whose thermal springs were discovered in the 18th century. The royal courts made the reputation of its beneficial waters for the digestive system. In the thermal park, on the Via Colombani, let yourself be told the story of the Orthodox chapel.

4 points of interest

  • Historical

    The medieval church of Saint-Ludomier, Sandaucourt

    The silhouette of the building dominates the village. The building was built in the 15th century and much of its elements remain. There is also a bridge which suggests that the church was fortified when it was built in the late Middle Ages.
    The church has been rebuilt several times since the 18th century and has had its present appearance since then, notably the openings in the bays, the front door of the main entrance and of course the bell tower.
    A church rich in history and architecture that bears witness to five centuries of evolution in an enchanting setting.
  • Historical

    Sandaucourt Castle

    In front of this 16th century castle, harmony and symmetry are the first things that come to mind.
    Built by the de Beauvau family in the 16th century, the castle has a square plan surrounded by four round towers with pepper-pot roofs. A porch, an elegant doorway topped by a balcony and wide windows were added in the 18th century. The ground floor of the castle can be visited in season. Opening hours From 1st July to 15th August: every day from 2.30 to 5.30 pm Admission charge. Guided tour of about 1 hour. Reservation required for groups of more than 20 people. Telephone 0033 (0) 660 346 350.
  • Historical

    Die russisch-orthodoxe Kapelle von Contrexéville

    From 1902 onwards, the aunt of Tsar Nicholas II, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia (Marie de Mecklembourg-Schwerin 1854 - 1920) regularly came to the Vosges for a cure. Every year, she spent several weeks and stayed either at the Hôtel de La Souveraine or at the Hôtel Cosmopolitain.
    In 1909, the year of her husband's death, Grand Duke Wladimir, brother of Tsar Alexander III, she had a small Orthodox chapel built in his memory in the town's thermal park.
    Her visits were interrupted because of the First World War, during which she ran a Red Cross military hospital in St. Petersburg. In 1917, the Russian Revolution threw her into exile.
    Settled in France with her sons, she arrived in Contrexéville at the beginning of July 1920. Sick, tired and devastated by tragedy, at the age of 66, Maria Pavlovna gradually felt her strength abandon her and she died on 5 September 1920 in her room at the Hôtel de La Souveraine.
    She was then buried in this small chapel so dear to her heart.
    In 1943, she was joined there by her son Grand Duke Boris (1877-1943), who lies in the cemetery of Contrexéville.

    More information about Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia: Wikipedia

  • Tourist

    Saint-Epvre Church in Contrexéville

    The church was built in the 12th century, of which the Romanesque bell tower would be the last vestige. It probably replaces an older building.
    The nave was restored in the 16th century and enlarged in 1777.
    Due to unstable foundations, consolidation work was carried out on the building and a subscription from the Heritage Foundation, which proved insufficient in 2017. The funds of this collection were reallocated to the maintenance of the thermal establishment.

Description

Before leaving Châtenois do your shopping all the shops are present in the main street. You will not meet any supplies during this 21 kilometers stage.
In front of the church of Châtenois take the road behind the church on the right which goes down into the town then on the left in the street of the Priory and on the right in the street of Lorraine.
  1. At the exit of the town take the road on the right D14a, direction Sandaucourt. Go through Rémois staying on the D14a, not passing on the motorway turn right. At Sandaucourt turn left on rue de l'Atre then Faubourg de Bousey, straight ahead before crossing the motorway take the road on the right which runs alongside the motorway. You arrive on the D18 take a slight right.
  2. Before arriving at Auzainvilliers take twice on the left the track and continue by crossing the motorway.
  3. Straight ahead you enter the forest, take the sixth track on the right (1 000 metres), turn right and then left.
  4. Take the seventh road on your left (1500 meters), second road on the right stay on the main road take second road on the right, stay on the main road to arrive at the Lac de la Folie. Leisure center of Contrexéville. Cross the dyke and take the Route des Lacs, cross the D165, turn left on Ernest Daudet street. Pass under the railway line and take the path in the thermal park, rue des Dames.
  5. Take the rue de la victoire slightly on the left then rue du général Hirschauer to pass in front of the casino and the Tourist Office. At the roundabout turn left into rue de la Grande Duchesse Wladimir, then right into rue Gaston Thomson and you will arrive at the church of Contrexéville.
  • Departure : Saint-Pierre Church de Châtenois, 8 rue du Paradis, 88170 Châtenois
  • Arrival : Saint-Epvre Church 180 rue Gaston Thomson, 88140 Contrexéville
  • Towns crossed : Grand Est

Altimetric profile

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