Tour de Grand Est - Stage 1 - Day 3

It was 12 degrees this morning. A welcome fresh start to a very hot forecast. 

It was hard to get out of the campground because we had such good conversations going.  

Our German neighbor, Barbara, loves the Alsace region we are headed too and she gave us great advice. Our Belgian neighbor Nele, explained the blight on the trees and the challenges of cycling alone. 

We did eventually get packed up and we set off into the rolling fields.  As we have observed before, cycling in France is basically going from one steeple to the next. Sort of like trail markers for hikers. (See steeple in background in photo of Marc.)

We researched to discover that the rounded dome/cupola on the steeple is a Baroque influence, brought in during the 17-18th century rebuilding after the Thirty Years' War.  Shaped like an empirial crown. The colourful glazed tile roofs are a Burgundian tradition.  

The sun is shining, the hay is drying, and the vines are green (and the manure, in the foreground, is piled high).

And Marc is very patient waiting for me to take yet another photo. 

We started to see the Vosges mountains on the horizon. That's our destination (tomorrow we do the Col de Bussang pass).

The hills were rolling and smooth and quiet. Wondering how they keep the roads so smooth?

A rare moment when I am ahead of Marc: 

At first break, with our pastries ordered in advance from the campground, we made a friend. 

He looks after the grounds of the Church (because he doesn't think the paid workers do it well enough). The peonies are in full bloom and the gardens are gorgeous. He was quite a chatter, and has been to Montreal and Quebec City so we had a longer break than usual. 

Onward and upward. 

Lunch was acquired in Saint Loup, an ancient town dating back to the 4th century.  The gardens here were lovely too, so many roses climbing the walls. 

Our grocery stop was early today, as the options were scarce. It was hot hot hot in the parking lot with the bikes, so I slipped inside the front doors to enjoy the air conditioning while keeping and eye on our bikes. The store manager thought this was quite funny, and put his arm around me and asked the cashier to take our photo. I obliged and then got a selfie too. Another friend along the way. 

We stopped for some shade under this cherry tree. Yes they were quite sweet and delicious. 

As the afternoon heat set in, and we continued our climb, we were on the look out for water. Bingo! We found this pump running cool water, and there was a bicycle beside it. Surely that is a sign? We accepted the silent offer and soaked our caps and arms. 

As the climbing continued were we so happy to find ourselves in a forest. Towering pines provided some much appreciated shade and the road was quiet, allowing for a slow pace, to match to temperature and the incline. 

Into the foothills of the Vosges we climbed. 

Thankfully early enough in the year to not need our chains. 

We wished the forest and the shade would last but we came upon Plombieres.

Plombieres was our final destination today. A remarkable place. Napoleon III was responsible for modernizing the spa town and created a marvel of architecture and modernity: The Napoleon Baths (Thermes Napoleon). (1798 - 1814). The eagles on the facade were created by Bartholdi (Statue of Liberty).  It is known as the city of a thousand balconies, all stacked up the hillside is quite a lovely site. 

Photos from Google as we were very focused on surviving at this point 😉

The Grand Hotel (which is not so grand anymore fyi).

The Napoleon Baths.

And houses all the way up the hill with multiple stories and balconies. 

This was what it looked like to us, speed in blue, elevation in grey:

Quite a finish! 

Camping De L'Hermitage was a welcome sight. 

Shaded tables are a bonus. 

 

And check out this tree house! Seriously. 

It is quiet here, only 4 other couples. And one man is playing classical guitar, such a talent and so nice of him to share it. 

The property is dotted with more art sculptures that just make you smile. 

Last night we had fighter jets scream across the sky, loud and late. One was so loud and so late (10:38 pm to be exact) it woke us all up with a fright. Not sure if we are close to a military base now, but I am hoping the pilots have the night off. 

Until tomorrow, good night, and thank you so much for all the comments. ♥️