An adventure that takes you from the shores of Lac du Der to Trois-Fontaines-l'Abbaye, in the footsteps of an ancient Cistercian abbey.
The GR® 14, also known as the Ardennes Trail, connects Lac du Der to Belgium via the vast forests of the Argonne and the French and Belgian Ardennes. The main towns and villages crossed: - Saint-Dizier in Haute-Marne - Bar-le-Duc in the Meuse - Clermont-en-Argonne in the Meuse - Sedan in the Ardennes This part of the route presents the first 40 kilometers of this hike. The departure is from Lac du Der to reach the village of Trois-Fontaines-l'Abbaye via the town of Saint-Dizier. To get an overview of the complete route, you can download our pdf sheet below.
Points of interest
Points of interest
Points of interest
1Giffaumont-Champaubert (Lac du Der)
Lac du Der is one of the largest lakes in France. The summer season promises cool temperatures and fun with a myriad of water and land-based leisure activities, six beaches for swimming, campsites, and more. Autumn is quieter and more conducive to contemplation. You can admire the common cranes, large migratory birds that particularly enjoy Lac du Der as a stopover on their migration route. We recommend watching the common cranes take flight from the dyke. You'll need to get up at dawn, but it's a magnificent sight!
2
Saint-Dizier is a town in Haute-Marne whose origins date back to the Merovingian period, as recent archaeological excavations have shown.
The town is the starting point of the Route de la Fonte d'Art (Artistic Cast Iron Trail). Saint-Dizier has a remarkable industrial and metallurgical heritage. During your visit, you will certainly see many ornamental cast iron features (balconies, candelabras, benches, etc.) designed by Hector Guimard, as well as the famous Wallace fountains, of which there are two in the town.
On your way, you will also see the Miko® Tower, as it was here in the 1950s that the famous ice cream brand was born!
We recommend visiting the museum (free admission) and the town's Tourist Information Office to learn more about the heritage and rich history of Saint-Dizier.
3Trois-Fontaines-l'Abbaye
Discover the ruins of the Cistercian abbey of Trois-Fontaines, founded in the 12th century. It is located in a magnificent 7-hectare park, ideal for walks and open all year round. A truly rejuvenating experience awaits you. The village is also the starting point for the chasm hike. This walk through the Trois-Fontaines national forest allows you to learn more about the region's network of underground cavities. This trail has been awarded dual certification by the French Hiking Federation and the French Speleology Federation, a first in France!
