Day 305 – EU – France [Pont-a-Mousson to Nancy]


03/02/21

39km

  From Pont-a-Mousson (France) to Nancy (France)

Europe


A day full of surprises, company at the start, rain and wind and the most beautiful city square of the world run

Ludo, me, Johann

Two cyclists from the Pont-a-Mousson triathlon team awaited me in front of the hotel at 8:30am. Johann and Ludo cycled 15km by my side, towards Jeanzainville and Griscourt. It was a beautiful country run surrounded by endless fields, forest and overflowing rivers. Rain in France lately has been quite phenomenal across the territory and all main rivers have been flooding. Needless to say we avoided the river banks paths!

After they left me, the rain got stronger and stronger as well as the headwind. I am getting used to it, but today my t-shirt got wet and I got very cold. I am looking forward to a dry day, it’s been a long time. I was looking forward to my arrival in Nancy, a city I had never visited before. The entry was magnificent. I ran past two beautiful ancient gates, “Porte de la Citadelle” and “Porte de la Craffe”. I then ran past the main city square “Place Stanislas” which I kept for later. First I headed to my accomodation to get a warm shower and change in dry clothes.

Vincent and Julie, from the Tourism board of Nancy, were waiting to welcome me on the city main square. They offered me some specialties of the region and were very generous in telling me about their city and answering my questions. We took a few pictures on “Place Stanislas” by far the most beautiful city square I have seen since the world run started.

The square is surrounded by the City Hall, the Opera House, the Fine Arts Museum, four gold plated iron wrought gates fitted with lanterns and a triumphal arch. In the middle stands the statue of Stanislas, Duke of Lorraine and benefactor of the region. No wonder this city square features on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I have never seen a square that beautiful. It made my day!



Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: