Dieppe to Geneva walk 2023: DAY 26 - BAR-LE-DUC to LIGNY-EN-BARROIS (Friday 12 May)

Most of today's walk was by the canal

We had a last look at Bar-le-Duc this morning, passing through part of the old town on our way down to the canal (yes, we found another canal with a walking/cycle path next to it).

Out of Bar-le-Duc and down to the canal

Into the countryside

Here it is - the Canal de la Marne au Rhin

We stayed on the path by the canal for the rest of the day's walk. Although it rained on and off all day, the walking was quite enjoyable. There were lots of birds around (although sadly we didn't see any great crested grebes), and the landscape was quite varied.

There were the usual sights you see along the path - wonderful reflections, etc.

The Canal has several locks spaced quite close together along its length. This boat was negotiating one of them as we went past.

We encountered the odd cyclist and the odd fisherman

Even a couple of long-distance cyclists, even though we are not really on a major tourist route.

We found a spot for our picnic lunch

We arrived in Ligny-en-Barrois, our destination for the day, in the middle of the afternoon. There was time to take in some of the sights of the town before dinner.

Some of the sights of Ligny-en-Barrois

In many places we have passed through, we have noticed lawns being left unmowed. This sign in Ligny-en-Barrois explains why: they are practising late mowing (la fauche tardive). The lawn won't be mown until August, in order to promote the nesting of birds, the protection of microfauna, and the diversification of flora.