There is so much to do and see in the gite or in the village and in the area that you will find an activity fitting your interest! See our suggestions below…
IN the area…
Move your mouse over the above card and watch for exceptional natural sites (green and blue circles), historical landmarks (yellow) and enchanting towns (black) to discover within a short drive.
In the village of Thonnance-les-Joinville, the splendid English-style gardens, the Jardins de Mon Moulin, have been ranked as “remarkable gardens” by the French ministry of culture.
In Joinville, visit the Apothicairerie, which is the old name for pharmacy in French, step into the Auditoire, the former courtroom and stroll through the ‘castle of the large garden’, le Château du Grand Jardin, to get a taste of a French-style garden.
Get on a Cyclorail (up to 4 people) and bike on the old railway through the countryside wilderness !
Tour Voltaire’s residence between 1734 and 1749 at the Marquise du Châtelet castle, the Château de Cirey sur Blaise.
The Général de Gaulle, the Free France resistant during the second world war and former president of France, chose our region to be his last home. You can visit it in Colombey-les-deux-Eglises, and learn more about his life in the modern museum that recently opened next to the erected cross of Lorraine, his resistance symbol paying him tribute.
At the Metallurgic Park, learn the ironwork and its importance in our region. You will find out that many famous metal pieces of art have been created in the area.
Photo credits: Service communication Ville de Saint Dizier – Erik Colin
Grab your picnic, swimsuits and enjoy a pleasant day at the largest manmade lake of Europe: the Lac du Der. There’s something for everyone: sail, bath, pedal boat, bike ride around the lake, playgrounds, museum of the lake’s history, rope course…
If you head toward the Vosges (east), half an hour away from the gite, embody a gladiator in the roman amphitheatre and contemplate the large Mosaïque of Grand!
A few minutes further, try to resolve the enigmas of the Fort de Bourlémont.
Still in the Vosges region and close to Grand, stop by the home village of Joann D’Arc in Domrémy-la-Pucelle. By the way, did you know that you can walk on her steps 50m away from the gite? See by yourself the sign that has been put up (on the above image, the one in Echenay).
IN the gite or the village…
During your stay in the guesthouse, you will have the opportunity to walk through the forest and the close-by nature (we can lend you bikes). Leaflets are at your disposal in the guesthouse for you to follow our favorite routes.
The above ground swimming pool (diameter 5,50 m – height 1,30 m), the swings, the garden shed for kids and other games in the garden are at your disposal, however children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
There is also a ping-pong table in the garage.
You will find a collection of diverse books in the Pigeonnier (pigeon house), for a peaceful reading moment. Moreover, a hi-fi, two televisions with DTT decoders and DVD-player are present in different rooms in the guesthouse, so that each one can enjoy some peaceful moments on its own. And finally, you have wireless internet access in the whole house to stay connected during your stay.
Tour around our village and discover its little bits of history: the wash house, the church and the castle. The castle is private but you can see its old water moats and its main building from the gate.
If you wish to read more about our village and some stories about the former castle lords, visit the blog (in French) Petite et Grande Histoire d’Echenay.