To Sampigny

August 23, 2022

I took my time leaving Domrémy-la-Pucelle, knowing that the miles would be easy and that check-in wasn’t until four. After whiling away time journaling and visiting with Robert, owner of Le Clos Domrémy, it was quarter past eleven by the time I hit the road - a very late start for me.

I crossed the Meuse River at Maxey-sur-Meuse, and after a short climb continued north on the Meuse Cycle Route, winding and rolling along small roads through farmland on the eastern slope above the Meuse. It was quite serene, just me and the cows, some sheep and the very rare motorized vehicle. There were occasional glimpses of the river, but mostly it was an open landscape under blue skies and billowing clouds.

The first of many, many cows that I would see today

The first of many crossings of the Meuse River

The morning passed through gently rolling fields and small towns on the east side of the Meuse River

Looking down over fields along the Meuse River

My name is Trudy and I’m just searching for signs of intelligent life in the universe

I'm definitely in dairy country - mostly Holsteins

After about fifteen miles, I crossed the Meuse River into Vaucouleurs, the town where Joan of Arc went seeking permission to meet with the Dauphin, Charles VII. I, however, went off-route in search of provisions and met Brent, a cyclist from Belgium who was on his way to Avignon. He related the somewhat checkered history of the very large statue of Jeanne d’Arc that sits in front of the Vaucouleurs town hall - the statue originally stood in the former French colony of Algeria but France took it back when Algeria won its independence and moved it here to Vaucouleurs.

Beyond Vaucouleurs, the route followed the twists and turns of the Meuse, crossing from one bank to the other before taking a short-cut north on the only real climb of the day - one that took me up and over into the void, Void-Vacon, that is. It actually was a bit of a void, as I pedaled along busier roads through commercial districts of more closely spaced towns. After Commercy, there was a quiet three mile stretch along the Meuse River Canal then back to small roads and farmland and a short hop to Sampigny.

Brent, from Belgium, on his way to Avignon

À la Gloire de Jeanne d'Arc now sits in front of the town hall in Vaucouleurs, where the young Joan first went seeking permission to meet Charles VI in Chinon. The statue originally stood in the former French colony of Algiers but was damaged during their fight independence and was re-located to Vaucouleurs

A look back from about half-way up the one climb of the day

Église Saint Pierre et Saint Paul in Euville

An old railroad bridge spans the Meuse Canal

A pair of square, striped silos seem almost to blend with the surrounding landscape

I settled in my room at La Maison d’Etang, a wonderful Chambres d’Hôte with a pond at the rear of the property. I’d arranged to have dinner, and enjoyed a delicious repast of garden-fresh tomatoes and Quiche Lorraine served in their small outdoor gazebo. A fine meal to end a very fine day.

The etang at La Maison d'Etang, my temporary home in Sampigny

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Today's ride: 41 miles (66 km)
Total: 2,187 miles (3,520 km)

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Comment on this entry	Comment	6

Scott AndersonSuch beautiful, relaxing country to ride through! Who needs Slovenia, anyway?
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2 years ago

Rachael AndersonWhat great bicycling country!
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2 years ago

Suzanne GibsonA new route for my list
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2 years ago

Keith AdamsHow pleasant that your trip along the Meuse was accompanied by your own Muse.
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2 years ago

Kathleen JonesYou were on a roll today, Susan, with all the aMeuseing captions. Thanks for the laughs.
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2 years ago

Susan CarpenterTo Keith AdamsI hadn't thought of it that way, but it seems appropriate. Thanks
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2 years ago