Travelling with MM: More in Lorraine

11 October 2014

More in Lorraine

Travelled:98km
Visited:Saint Joan of Arc Basilica, Vaucouleurs, Bar le Duc
Stay:Laheycourt-aire, free parking next to river, no services GPS N48°53.332' E5°01.339'

We just love France for all its lovely little aires scattered over quaint country villages. Every place we visited today had a dedicated motorhome parking area. We are even happier today because it has been a dry day. Although our stop last night was a tad noisy with a few trucks on the road and jet fighters flying past in the middle of the night and then the church bells at 7am, we set of early to go and visit Saint Joan of Arc's Basilica. Construction began in 1881 and it is a beautiful building richly decorated with stained glass windows, mosaics and paintings depicting Joan's life. She became a saint in 1920, about 400 years after her death in 1431 (or murdered at the hands of the English, burning her alive as they accussed her of being a witch).

We then travelled through pretty country side to Vaucouleurs, from which Joan set off on her crusade. We visited the ruins of the Porte de France and the church built here later to commemorate Joan's life. We then parked in the aire in the centre of town and had a walk around.

The day was still young, so on we went to Bar-le-Duc and parked in the aire along the Marne-Rhine canal. From here we followed the Tourist Map walking trail of both the lower and upper ville. We crossed the Notre-Dame Bridge over the Ornain River

then walked past many interesting buildings including the Duchy house,

Autumn colours..

The view from the upper ville.

A street in the upper ville.

Saint Etienne

and court house,

the clock tower.

A memorial dedicated to the bicycle inventors.

The not so pretty part of town.

A clasic building.

We were not too keen on staying overnight at the aire as it was also next to the train line. So we picked an aire not to far in Laheycourt that is next to a river and appears to be a fairly quiet country town. We were very impressed with the Marie building and alot of the homes had been substantial in their day. We gave Bluey a much needed wash before settling in for the day.