Bonjour mes amis! Today marks another day in my journey, 96 days on the road and 2582.5 kilometers behind me. Let me tell you about my 39.9km trip from Bourbonne-les-Bains to Saint-Loup-sur-Semouse in the heartland of France.

I walked the distance, feet tapping on the ground to the rhythm of the local tunes, “Sous le ciel de Paris” that floated from a nearby café. “Under the skies of Paris,” the lyrics go, a fitting soundtrack as I strolled through this picturesque part of the world.

The journey was verdant, filled with rolling countryside and the occasional whiff of freshly baked baguettes. But what caught my eye, what really made this journey unique, was a quaint little garden in a village halfway through. It was filled with, you guessed it, garden gnomes!

There was a whole society of my brethren, in different poses, each telling a story of their own. It felt like stumbling upon a secret Gnome-convention! I felt right at home, among my kin. As the French say, “Chaque pot a un couvercle” – every pot has a lid. I guess, every gnome has a garden.

It’s fun to reflect on the places I’ve been: Bar-sur-Seine, Chaumont, Bourbonne-les-Bains, and now Saint-Loup-sur-Semouse. It’s not just about the distance traveled but the experiences collected, the stories gathered.

I haven’t crossed any borders, so the language remains the beautiful, romantic French. It’s a language that flows like a river, with words that sound like a melody. “La vie est une fleur dont l’amour est le miel” – Life is a flower of which love is the honey. A quote by Victor Hugo that seems to capture the essence of my journey.

Until next time, remember: “C’est en forgeant qu’on devient forgeron” – practice makes perfect. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep being curious. Au revoir!

Ah, Saint-Loup-sur-Semouse, a place that tickles the curiosity of any gnome with its rich history and culture! First off, it’s the town of the chairs! Yes, mes amis, you heard right. This quaint place is known for its long-standing tradition of furniture manufacturing. It’s home to the famous Parisot factory, a name synonymous with ‘meubles en kit’ or ‘knock-down furniture’ – quite a feat for a small town, eh?

The second gem is their love for music. Their annual Music Festival, ‘Fête de la Musique’ is a delight, where the air resonates with tunes from the likes of Debussy to Édith Piaf. Indulging in the harmonious melodies, I couldn’t help but recall the words of French poet Victor Hugo, “La musique exprime ce qui ne peut pas être dit et sur quoi il est impossible de rester silencieux” – “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”.

Truly, Saint-Loup-sur-Semouse is a town that sings a song of the past while dancing to the beat of the present!