Commercy to Saint-Mihiel

21.5 kms, 5 locks

Nice weather today, a lot better than yesterday!  I trotted off to the supermarket bright and early to buy some fresh salad veggies and bread.  But I got there a bit too early, they were open but the new veg had not arrived yet!  Got a really warm fresh baguette though. But Aldi’s veg is usually so fresh that I didn’t hesitate to buy a lettuce, tomatoes, red peppers, a cucumber and mushrooms left over from yesterday ( and there really wasn't much left over, I got the last lettuce and toms).

At 8.50 we left Commercy, there was some cloud in the skies but it was heating up rapidly. 

The canalised Meuse to the left and the River Meuse diverging to the right

A bridge followed by another bridge

We saw 3 other pleasure craft today

Where are we going?

Hah, the river does a 90 degree dog leg to the left and through a tunnel!

Just a short tunnel, 50m, with a colourful vista on the other side

The cows do make us laugh- they take great interest in the boat and run alongside till they get stopped by a fence

Coming into Saint-Mihiel

The halte fluviale with free water and electricity

We arrived in Saint-Mihiel at 12.10.  A few hours later Leo arrived,  a Swiss family who we first met a couple of days ago in Pagny-sur-Meuse – mother, father and 2 teenage boys, great kids who would make any parents proud.

In the afternoon we went for walk around the town. It is a very old town, but apart from a few old building, not particularly attractive.  Interesting history though.  The abbey was founded in 709, and the one we saw today substantially dates from the 11^th century. A famous school of sculptors was established here in the 15^th century and it was also renowned for its clothmakers and goldsmiths.

In the first world war the town was captured by the Germans  and the “StMihiel salient” (bulge in the front line) prevented the French from using the Meuse to send reinforcements to Verdun.

This house dates from way back, probably late 14th Century.  There is a record from 1428 when it was sold to the Duke of Bar, who later became the King fof Sicily and became known as the The King's House.

The Abbey looms over surrounding buildings

The 11th century entry

The organ loft dates from the 18th century

Looking down the nave to the organ loft

and up the nave to the altar

A wonderful piece of sculpture know as "The Swooning Virgin" by Ligier Richier about 1532.

This gruesome little chap dates from the early 17th century

My favourite style - art nouveau

The day ended with a beautiful, almost summery ,evening 

and pork chops on the Barbie.