Day 308 – EU – France [Epinal to Fougerolles]

06/02/21

40km

  From Epinal (France) to Fougerolles (France)

Europe

Foggy start, a Saharan sand storm cloud and a very warm and touching welcome in Fougerolles

I could not see 50m ahead this morning as I left Epinal. I ran on very small and quiet roads, keeping myself safe and highly visible as always. As the fog started to lift, I noticed a strange phenomenon. It seemed the sky was blue but there was an orangey-pink tint to part of the sky. And it was coming my way. I looked up the news on my phone, as it seemed very scary. It was in fact a Saharan sand storm that was blowing all over Europe! It was beautiful and as a few drops of rain fell on the stroller, it got covered in fine dust.

A few kilometers before my arrival in Fougerolles a car stopped by and two local journalists came out to take some pictures and welcome me in their town. A few hundred meters later, a runner stopped me to take a selfie, then some hikers… I was wondering what was going on, as I had made no special announcement. And when I reached the “Gite” where I am staying tonight, dozens of people were waiting for me, led by the municipal team. My host had spread the news of my venue. I was very happy, it was spontaneous and very generous.

People of Fougerolles welcoming me into town, bottom right my host, central picture all the gifts!

The vice-mayor as well as my host and some local supporters offered me plenty of local gifts. Fougerolles is famous for its “Kirsch cherry liqueur”, cherry being a specialty of the region. I received some cherry marmalade (griotte), cherry-filled biscuits, cherry marshmallows and some local pates too. I thanked everyone and went for shower & lunch. And just as I was done, the vice-mayor picked me up in his car to give me a tour of the region, the cherry fields, the distilleries, the ermitage… The region is truly beautiful and one that I had never visited before. What a great surprise, so many treasures of architecture, traditions, culinary arts – France is beautiful and very welcoming!

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: