Third Time Lucky!

A beautiful, sunny day - 27C - and, Yes!, at the third attempt we found the monument in the forest that extends from Juvigny to Mouzay.

We headed north to Jametz, then left on the Stenay road.  The above signpost beckoned us again and we drove down the main forest road we used on the first foray and remembered a forest-path crossroads, about the stated 1 (kilometre?) where there was a small signpost with nothing on it.  We pulled into the wider mouth on the right-hand side and the surrounding forest looked so pretty with the sun shining down through the trees.

Then, in the distance by zooming in on the camera, I could see what looked like steps, or perhaps a ladder.  Our curiosity peaked, we went to have a closer look.  The pathway was covered in brown and yellowing leaves which crunched underfoot.  A breeze blew in the tree tops and golden leaves tumbled like snow flakes onto our heads and shoulders.  And, there, at the end, where other forest paths trailed out of the small clearing, the “missing” monument!  What I had thought from a distance were steps was the carved stone on the side of the monument.  Sadly, it is in a rather poor state but we could see the names of the Maquisards who died on this spot 4th August 1944.

The monument is in the middle at the end of this path.

I am tempted to point out the deficiencies to the area’s tourism officer - difficult when you are a foreigner in a foreign land but it is sad to see it go into decline, especially after the prominent sign post on the main road although that too, on the Stenay side, is also in poor repair.

We drove back onto the main road, did a dog-leg left-right, through Quincy, Han and Juvigny, and the stunning countryside, onto the same main road and back towards Jametz then Damvillers.

These brief shots can only be an indication of the beauty throughout this vast area which, even after ten years, takes us by surprise.

But I'm pleased we found the monument!