On a winter's day

Up till this weekend I haven’t had very many opportunities to explore the countryside during winter. A self confessed city girl, my few forays into the country have always taken place during the sunny days of summer or during spring when the very air smells green and fresh with growing things. This weekend, I discovered the pleasure of walking about while the air is bracingly cold and the light misty with frost. I was lucky enough to have very good company on this all too rare foray into winter and our destination was the summit of La Colline du Sion (or Sion Hill). The hill is in Saintois, which is in the Southern part of the region of Meurth et Moselle. And Meurthe et Moselle is in the Lorraine region which lies three hours east of Paris. Whew. It took me awhile to get all those names straight in my head and even know, I’m not sure if I’m entirely accurate. Built prominently into the hilltop is the Basilica consecrated to the Notre Dame du Sion. From the surrounding countryside as you drive towards the top one can already see the Virgin’s statue with her serenely outstretched arms on the bell tower. And since it is relatively elevated, the hill provides a beautiful vantage point from which to see the Lorraine countryside with its rolling hills and its dusting of snow cover. I’m happy to report that I enjoyed crunching about the snow that covered the grounds of the Basilica. All around the walls are built in plaques that explain the site a little. Apparently there is some archaeological interest in the area as there were a number of fossils dating back from the Neolithic era unearthed from the hill. The Basilica itself was constructed in stages before being finished in the 18th century. It was built with very simple lines which in no way detract from its clear, if austere beauty. What is interesting to note inside is the plaque commemorating the return of that part of the Lorraine to France after it was annexed by Germany. Inscribed in the plaque are the words “Ce n’ame po to jo” in the Lorraine dialect or “Ce n’est pas pour toujours” (“Not for always”) Some 30 000 pilgrims were present before the church for benediction the day that the plaque was placed.

The snow covered grounds of the Basilica

A view of the Lorraine region