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Riding on a self-balancing vehicle
Segway PTs ride around Bouzey Lake
Fabienne
A new way to discover the landscape around the lake
- For you, Épinal Tourisms is : The forest in its natural state
- Your favourite local dish is : The macaron from Péché Mignon.
- Your favourite local tourist site is : The village Fontenoy-le-Chateau
The tone has been set and a good mood is guaranteed
The meeting point was given 10 minutes away from Épinal towards Lake Bouzey. Here we were, at the heart of a green paradise by the waterside where Lionel and Gaëlle were waiting for us with strange two wheeled machines.
Lionel warmly welcomed us and presented the activity. Before riding our vehicle, we were given a few safety instructions to make the most of this unusual ride. Helmets and flat shoes were strongly recommended.
The reliefs of the landscape, which we were going to travel, were explained to us so we could anticipate what was going to happen. We were going to cross forests and paved roads, chippings and sand trails. We couldn' wait to start our ride.
A little bit of balance before starting
The Segway PTs, also named gyropodes, have two wheels, one on each side of a platform, on which the rider stands. No need for fuel since it is electric and uses very little energy. The only skill required is a good sense of balance.
Lionel suggested we test it before taking the road to help us gain confidence in controlling the machine. Our tour could begin. Quickly our sense of childlike wonder awakened as we used this new toy. The change of scenery was guaranteed. An overwhelming feeling of levitation and freedom got into us and we could not avoid staring at the horizon.
Riding on a self-balancing vehicle
The site is outstanding. The lake invites its visitors to contemplate its rich fauna and flora. The banks are equipped for everyone and, on our way, we crossed cyclists, hikers, walkers, families, fishermen, windsurfers to name but a few. This euphoric and delightful digression put me at ease and I allowed myself some bursts of speed. Our unwonted expedition caught people's attention but sadly our tour was soon close to its end. Gaëlle and Lionel pampered us and were also very attentive to our capacities with the vehicles. Time flew by and we finished too quickly. We look forward to doing it again during another season, to observe the colours in the forest surrounding the site.
We returned our futuristic steeds on imagining our next ride. On foot or on two wheels, we promised ourselves, we will return to this unusual and idyllic site.
Practical information
Opening hours: open every day from 8.30 a.m. - 8 p.m. (for Gyrovosges)
Address: Lac de Bouzey, 88390, on the dig in Chamousey
Email: contact@gyrovosges.fr
Telephone: +33 (0)6 12 94 03 14
Price: from €28 per person per hour
Can be appreciated in any season thanks to the changing colours of the ubiquitous forest.
Perfect for a family outing
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LAC DE BOUZEY [sheet--1614942]
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Cédric et Julie
A journey through the ages for a day
- For you, Épinal Tourism is : Épinal is a town with an important industrial and military heritage.
- Your favourite local dish : The Andouille from Val D’Ajol
- Your favourite local tourist site : The forts in Épinal & the printing workshop – Imagerie.
A little bit of history
We came upon the fortifications Séré de Rivière more than ten years ago around Épinal and this is where the most beautiful, remarkable forts can be found. When coming to Épinal, you need to discover the history of this old stronghold which belonged to the most modern military towns in France on the eve of the Great War. The area consisted of seventeen forts and nearly a hundred small fortifications equipped with more than six hundred pieces of artillery.
Today, only three sites can be visited in the area, with a distance of not more than three kilometres between each one. You must go to Uxegney and Golbey, in the north of Épinal. This is where you will satisfy your wish to learn about the forts, which embody rightly the stronghold system implemented by General Séré de Rivières after the war in 1870.
A short visit is a must
We suggest you start by visiting the fort in Bois l’Abbé. It is opened on the 14th of July and on the local heritage day, which allows you to discover its fortification made of ashlar. The tour require oil lamps. In 1883, at the time of construction, all the buildings in Épinal were built with ashlar like the old castles. You can visit the beautiful, well-preserved bakery and bunkers in which soldiers lived.
Then, you need to take a right on the road outside the fort in Bois l’Abbé towards the fort in the Grande Haye to discover its fortification, opened several times during the summer. This work, which was built at the same time as fort in Bois l’Abbé, resembles certain Alpine works. It was strengthened with the first concretes developed around 1885 to overcome a major crisis in the artillery. There, you can see a powder store, caponiers and concrete premises in which soldiers used to take shelter during heave bombing.
A modern-day fort
Finally, you can end your tour of the forts by going back on the road passing the fort in Bois l’Abbé; then keep going along the military railway that drives you straight to the fort in Uxegney. This last fort, which has been entirely modernized, is opened in the summer. You can learn about the technologies of the 20th century. There, you can leapfrog from the oil lamp to electricity and from cannons in the open air to ironclad turrets. The visit to the kitchen and the electric factory completes the discovery of this extraordinary heritage.
These three works are now being restored by associations whose members are passionate volunteers. They take great pleasure in welcoming and introducing this part of the history of France to you.
Restaurant à La Haye
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RESTAURANT LA FONTAINE 1900 [sheet--1823972]
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Christine
With family or friends, the cycle route called “Voie Bleue” welcomes you for a friendly trip in the heart of nature.
A cycling route in the heart of nature
That’s it. I made up my mind this morning. I am going to take my bike and go cycling along the Canal des Vosges.
I love this ride because as soon as I leave home I can quickly be in the middle of nature with birds singing, trees all around me and water on both sides of my bike.
Since I live in town, I can quickly reach the bike path which I follow to cross the town centre along the Moselle River towards the Port. Because yes, Épinal has a port with 20 moorings. During the summer, boats from Belgium, Holland and Germany dock there to spend a night or more not far from the heart of the town. Actually, this is where the mixed-use trail starts and follows the Canal des Vosges in the shade of tall trees and not far from the Moselle River. Here I am, pedalling quietly on my superb electric red moustache bike, manufactured only 2 steps away, surrounded straight away by nature and serenity. What a delight!
Viewpoints alongside the Voie Bleue trail
On my way, I pass many joggers, cyclists and walkers who greet me, as did the sailors standing on the deck of their boats. After 3 kilometres, I get off my bike for a first break to admire the navigable aqueduct passing over the Moselle River. From there, I can either continue the ride towards the North or the South. This navigable aqueduct is a magnificent structure which was built in the late 19th century to get supply to French troops because the border line with Prussia was just 2 steps away.
The junction at the Port of Épinal is linked to the Canal des Vosges at the navigable aqueduct. So I start pedalling on the multi-use trail called "Voie Bleue". It is on the axe Moselle-Saone which goes from Luxembourg to the city of Lyon, a 750-kilometre cycle route. I then follow the south track towards the Bouzey Lake or more precisely the reservoir in Bouzey in the middle of a beautiful forest. The reservoir supplies the Canal des Vosges with water and regulates its height to allow a good flow of boat traffic. There are several sizes such as the barges with the French Freycinet gauge standard and others that have different uses. Most importantly, we can enjoy a full program in the open air and go swimming, pedalling boating, paddling, hiking and mountain biking, etc.
A relaxing and friendly ride...
Before arriving, I still need to travel a few more kilometres to the rhythm of the locks which are all along the route. There are 8 of them in total; they are the only hills we will get during the day. So, I cycle up the 8 locks and then wander along the path, daydreaming or watching the sailors manoeuvring their boats while passing the locks. Here, everyone greets anyone, it is so friendly. Sailors always answer with pleasure and fleeting bonds are created. I must admit, this is exactly what easy living means. I feel the light breeze on my face and I admire the well-preserved nature while looking at the fields going by before my eyes. Meadows filled with local cows that are grazing guarantee the production of a good cheese.
When I arrive at the Bouzey Lake, I take the liberty of going on an excursion into the forest. No doubt, the trees there are the most beautiful. Some of them are deciduous trees such as ash or oak and others are resinous trees like larch, fir and spruce. Their variety contributes to the uniqueness of these journeys. My ride started on a forest trail which turned into a small bucolic path rambling through the high forest. Then, I reached the supply channel of the reservoir, another one, to go back home through the woods.
What a beautiful afternoon I have spent.
We love outings along the canal
Taking the greenway "Voie Bleue"
A 73-kilometre multi-use trail is on hand
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CROISIERES SUR LE CANAL DES VOSGES [sheet--1614933]
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