Eleven figures on plinths made of pink Vosges sandstone form an ensemble; five of them are Les P’tits Gras. This distinction between the group of five and the ensemble as a whole offers a concrete way to explore Saint-Léonard’s heritage. There is also the Église Saints-Pierre-et-Léonard, with details of façade art and organ building, as well as the Chapelle et source de Montégoutte. The Voie verte de la Haute-Meurthe, which passes through Saint-Léonard, offers a different perspective. This allows you to consider cultural history and a designated activity as distinct priorities when choosing your destination.

Les P’tits Gras as part of a larger ensemble

Les P’tits Gras are a group of five statues within an ensemble of eleven figures. The figures stand on plinths made of pink Vosges sandstone. This makes the name’s meaning clear: it refers to the group of five, not all eleven figures. Les P’tits Gras were installed during the renovation of Saint-Léonard’s town centre. This connection with the town-centre redevelopment adds an urban-history perspective to the sculptures. If you are interested in art in the town, the grouping, material and time of installation offer different points of interest. The artist Emmanuel Perrin described his work as a tribute to Étienne Jules Marey.

Church: façade art and organ building

The Église Saints-Pierre-et-Léonard was rebuilt after the war. A wrought-iron fresco depicting the Passion of Christ adorns the façade. Its organ was made in 1965 by Roethinger, an organ builder from Strasbourg. The church’s history, façade art and organ building offer different ways to explore it. These details draw attention not only to the building, but also to the religious depiction on its façade and to the instrument.

Chapelle et source de Montégoutte

The Chapelle et source de Montégoutte brings together architectural history and religious tradition. Jean-Baptiste Grandhomme built the chapel in 1828. According to local tradition, a previously unknown spring emerged at the original location of the statue of the Virgin Mary. For context, it is important to distinguish that 1828 is the year the chapel was built, while the spring’s appearance belongs to local religious tradition. Individual visits are possible only outside. Plan to visit the site from the outside and check the visiting conditions in advance.

Voie verte de la Haute-Meurthe

The Voie verte de la Haute-Meurthe is a 9 km route between Saint-Léonard and Plainfaing. It passes through Anould, Ban-sur-Meurthe Clefcy and Fraize, as well as Saint-Léonard itself, and follows a former railway line. The route can be used for walking, cycling—including mountain biking and touring—as well as scootering and roller skating. It therefore accommodates different ways of getting around: on foot, on various types of bicycle or on wheels. The former railway line adds a historical dimension to the activity. Unlike the sculptures and religious buildings, the focus here is on the route, its former use as a railway line and getting active. This distinction can help you plan your stay according to your interest in cultural history or in an activity along the route.

Discover more destinations: Grandrupt-de-Bains, Landaville, Bussang, Gerbepal, Vittel, Saint-Jean-D'ormont, Coussey, Ban-De-Laveline.

Back to the regional travel guide: Vosges.