Hi,
The program for Mon 25 Aug was to meet at 08.30 at a large car park and depart by coach for the 'Villages Fleuris du Vosges', with Lunch at a restaurant and then a visit to a castle, returning to Metz about 19.30.
Marie, our hostess, came with us as she had not seen that area either. The total journey was around 400 kms, and we went east almost to the German border.
May God smile on you today,
Elizabeth
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The streets are narrow, and the traffic lights have two levels of lights |
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Our first walk was at Hunspach, where we admired the lovely houses.
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This elderly gentleman has transport sorted out.
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Farming is very close to village life, and here we can see the vegetable garden beside the cow barn, and then a back entry with the stack of wood at the left, and familiar farming implements beside the barn door.
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The small house on the left features a well and pump at the door. We chatted with the lady as she hung out her washing and enjoyed us admiring her home.
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Cleebough was our lunch stop, where we had a two hour lunch. This area has the site where oil was discovered on French soil, and is also where wars have been fought 1870 1914 and again in 1939. |
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Cleebough is an old village with narrow streets and traditional house decoration. I was intrigued by how tall these buildings are - up to 5 floors high.
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Fleckenstein Castle was built in the 12th century at the time of the quarrel of investiture between the empire and the pope, and was controlled by the Fleckenstein family whose territory included 36 villages. The castle was destroyed in 1689 and the last member of the family died in 1720. In 1958 the Tourist Office of Lembach purchased the castle and its surrounding villages.
The water pump is an example of reconstructive work for the education of us tourists
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I stayed at this level where the pump is. and you can see Max and Maria climbed the extra 100 steps to wave from the battlements.
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The castle activity is described in graphic drawings with French comments
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