Day 46 – to Saint-Quirin

Mount Donon, as opposed to Mount Little Donon, upon which I was last evening, is the highest mountain in the northern Vosges, at 1009 metres. It is a category 2 climb on the Tour de France. It is famous for a few reasons.

Many archaeological remains of a Gallo-Roman sanctuary have been found on the sandstone block plateaus on the top of the mountain. In 1869 a temple-like structure was built over the remains to protect them.

As I mentioned yesterday, it was the site of heavy fighting between German and French troops in August of 1914.

The population in the surrounding area is so low that over the years it has given rise to much myth and legend.

Victor Hugo was born in the area in 1802, and a plaque on the mountain commemorates that.

The top is visible for many miles in all directions, and equally has incredible and very distant views from the top, particularly at dawn and sunset.

It wasn’t a long walk from where the van was parked overnight, and the dog and I were on top just after 8 am. There were just a couple of other people up there, and it was very pleasant to linger, and have a chat.

Later in the morning we moved on, via a supermarket to the village of Saint-Quirin, and it’s lakeside municipal campsite. Being a weekend it was quite busy, but plenty of space. Also at 26C many were enjoying a dip in the lake, which looked a bit dirty to me, though Roja was more than happy to dive straight in.