Saint-Léonard: Discover Heritage and the Voie verte

Saint-Léonard brings together different interests for a stay: cultural heritage and outdoor activity on the Voie verte de la Haute-Meurthe. If you’re looking for a hotel, these themes may influence your choice of destination. The cultural highlights range from a group of statues and church art to a chapel associated with religious tradition. The route can be assessed by its length, course and the activities available.

Les P’tits Gras and the group of figures

Les P’tits Gras is a group of five statues within an ensemble of eleven figures on plinths made of pink Vosges sandstone. They were installed during the renovation of Saint-Léonard’s town centre. The figures refer to different levels: five statues in the named group and eleven figures in the ensemble as a whole. To understand the installation, consider both the material of the plinths and how the group relates to the larger ensemble. Its connection with the renovation adds an aspect of urban design to the artistic description.

Church art at the Église Saints-Pierre-et-Léonard

The Église Saints-Pierre-et-Léonard can be explored through its architectural history, façade decoration and organ. It was rebuilt after the war. A wrought-iron fresco depicting the Passion of Christ adorns the façade. The church’s organ was made in 1965 by Roethinger, an organ builder from Strasbourg. This single building brings together architectural history, a religious motif in wrought iron and an instrument with a specific year and named maker. The date and maker make the organ a distinct feature, while the fresco adds its own accent to the façade with its depiction of the Passion.

Chapelle et source de Montégoutte

The Chapelle et source de Montégoutte brings together architectural history and religious tradition. The chapel was built in 1828 by Jean-Baptiste Grandhomme. According to local tradition, a previously unknown spring emerged at the original location of the statue of the Virgin Mary. The story thus explicitly links the spring to the statue and its original location. Individual visits are possible only from outside. Bear this restriction in mind when planning a visit and check current visiting arrangements in advance.

The Voie verte de la Haute-Meurthe

The Voie verte de la Haute-Meurthe is a nine-kilometre route between Saint-Léonard and Plainfaing. It passes through Saint-Léonard, as well as Anould, Ban-sur-Meurthe Clefcy and Fraize. It follows a former railway line, which provides the route’s historical background. The route is suitable for safe walking, cycling—including mountain biking and touring—as well as kick scooters and roller skating. It is therefore not exclusively a cycling route: in addition to different types of cycling, the listed options include walking and wheeled activities. Surface conditions may vary. If you’re considering the route, the activity you have in mind is a useful starting point for planning.

Discover more destinations: Claudon, Plainfaing, Lamarche, Pouxeux, Rupt-Sur-Moselle, Vecoux, Frapelle, Golbey

For the overall travel guide: Vosges.