The best road cycling routes around Martigny-Les-Gerbonvaux

And suddenly this slope with a plunging view over Pagny-la-Blanche Côte where the Chêtre, an arm of the Meuse, snakes.

In the 18th century, the church of Saint-Brice was attached to the parish of Autreville, deanery of Neufchâteau, diocese of Toul. It was under the patronage of the canons of Saint-Euchaire de Liverdun, now in Meurthe-et-Moselle. The current building was constructed in 1768 at the instigation of Jean-Baptiste Panel, parish priest of Harmonville and Autreville since 1763. A foundation stone preserved in the south wall mentions, which is quite rare, the names of the contractors and the king's architect, residing in Metz »: Dominique George. Only one other church is known to be attributable to him, that of Maizières, in Meurthe-et-Moselle. The two contractors, Dieudonné Mariiez and Jacques Jérôme Prétot, are moreover from this same village. Archives attest to the numerous repair works carried out during the first half of the 19th century, which ended with the purchase of a clock (1841) and three bells (1843). The building is, as is often the case in the region, a barn church whose plastered nave ends in a pentagonal choir with a ribbed vault. The nave and choir are covered by a long tiled roof of mechanical tiles replacing the original hollow tiles. The in-built bell tower is, for its part, covered by a slate spire on a square base. Built in rendered rubble – the ashlar being exclusively reserved for the facade – the church is of great sobriety, tempered neither by the visible corner chains, nor by the molded segmental arch lintel of the portal, nor by the sculpted decorative element, perhaps an old eucharistic oculus (15th century?) inserted into the masonry of the bell tower. Inside, the choir has retained its wooden paneling. The two side altars, the pews with turned wooden armrests and feet, the pulpit adorned with lambrequins and topped by an angel blowing its trumpet, are very likely contemporary with the construction. The church of Saint-Brice preserves a statue of Saint Roch (last quarter of the 16th century) from an old chapel that housed a hermit in the 18th century, and an octagonal baptismal font with a baluster base. In 1998, for the repair of the plasterwork and zinc roofing of the church, the Sauvegarde de l’Art français granted aid of 75,000 F.

This church is attached to the parish of Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc and Saint-Elophe of the diocese of Saint-Dié. A sober church with simple architecture, it was reportedly first built in the 14th century, then rebuilt in the second half of the 19th century. Located in the center of the village, next to the Chapel of Beauregard, it contains several statues listed as movable heritage, such as Saint John the Baptist or the Virgin and Child, otherwise known as Notre-Dame de Maxey.

The basilica is a landmark offering sweeping views over the Meuse Valley. Inside the church, large paintings depict scenes from the life of Joan of Arc.

⚜️ The Story of Joan of Arc ⚜️ She was born in Domrémy-la-Pucelle in 1412 to a peasant family. At the age of 13, she began hearing voices telling her to save France from the English. She left her village to seek help from King Charles VII and reclaim the French throne. Joan of Arc successfully convinced King Charles VII to grant her an army. She led this army to several victories against the English, including the liberation of Orléans in 1429. This victory marked a turning point in the Hundred Years' War and led to the defeat of the English. Joan of Arc was captured by the English in 1430. She was tried and burned at the stake in 1431 in Rouen. However, her popularity continued to grow after her death. She was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1920.

The Basilica of Bois-Chenu (Roman Catholic) is a gigantic monument in Domremy-La-Pucelle. It is also called the Basilica of Sainte Joan of Arc. It is located about 11 km from Neufchâteau on an idyllic hill in the Vosges Mountains. From this wooded hill, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Meuse Valley, surrounded by numerous blooming orchids. The birthplace of France's national heroine is also nearby. The massive basilica was built from pink granite from the Vosges Mountains! Bronzes of Joan of Arc and her family stand in the forecourt of the basilica.

A beautiful Roman Catholic basilica built in honor of Joan of Arc, a very young resistance fighter during the Hundred Years' War between England and France. Accused of witchcraft at just 19 years old, she was tortured and burned at the stake. She was later beatified and canonized, and is venerated by the French people to this day.

Excellent off-road cycling path on our Meuse route! Wonderfully signposted and enjoyable! Magnificent scenery!