Bonjour mes amis! Oliver, your favorite world-trotting gnome here! Fresh off another leg of my journey. This time, a scenic 48.9km stroll from Chaumont to Bourbonne-les-Bains in our beloved France.

As I wandered through the lush green countryside, I couldn’t help but marvel at the picturesque beauty that unfolded before my eyes. But one observation stood out above the rest. As I meandered along, the sweet, intoxicating aroma of freshly baked baguettes wafted from a quaint little bakery in a nearby village. Ah, the simple pleasures of life on the road!

“La vie est une fleur dont l’amour est le miel,” as Victor Hugo once said. That translates to, “Life is a flower of which love is the honey.” Indeed, the sweetness of this journey is the love I feel for each new place I visit.

In the past few days, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting several other charming locales such as La Chapelle-Saint-Luc and Bar-sur-Seine, and now, with the addition of Chaumont and Bourbonne-les-Bains, I’ve traipsed a total of 2542.6 kilometers in 95 days. Quelle aventure! (What an adventure!)

As I continue my journey, crossing borders and experiencing language changes, I find myself humming the tune of a traditional French song, “Sur le pont d’Avignon.” It’s a reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures that stitch together our world.

So, until my next stop, keep in mind these words from the French philosopher Voltaire: “Il est à la portée de tout le monde de voir clairement ce qu’il veut.” This means, “Everyone can clearly see what they want.” Indeed, my friends, clarity of vision is key, whether you’re trekking across the French countryside or simply navigating the journey of life.

Au revoir, until the next leg of our journey together!

Greetings from Bourbonne-les-Bains, a city soaked in heritage and history. Did you know that this city is known as the “Little Pompeii of the East” due to its extensive Roman ruins? “Petite Pompéi de l’Est” as they say in French. It’s a veritable time machine, taking you back to the era of Caesar and his legions.

But Bourbonne-les-Bains isn’t just about the past. It’s also home to the famous thermal baths, Les Thermes. These healing waters have been soothing weary travelers like this old gnome since the Roman times. Ah, mon ami, it makes one recall the words of French poet Paul Valéry, who said, “The body’s water, the soul’s water, the earth’s water, the sky’s water, all are of a single root.” (“L’eau du corps, l’eau de l’âme, l’eau de la terre, l’eau du ciel, toutes sont d’une seule racine.”) This little corner of France, offers a beautiful blend of history and rejuvenation.

Until next time, *au revoir*!