How to reach Petit Pretre Lakes?

We recommend that you set your SatNav before leaving Calais. Our coordinates are N48.468 E4.8168 Alternatively set to our nearest town which is Montier-en-Der or follow the directions below. The route will take you on toll roads for most of the way. You can pay with a credit card or cash. It’s about 26 Euro in total. Remember to drive on the right side of the road! The speed limits are as advertised: 56 mph (90 km/h) on normal roads, 67 mph (110 km/h) on dual carriageways and 67 mph (110 km/h) or 80 mph (130 km/h) on the motorways depending on the weather.

After leaving the Euro Tunnel / Car Ferry Terminal take the A16 (E402) and after about 5 km the A26 (E15), heading towards Reims. Follow the A26 for over 160 miles (250 km). You’ll have driven for over 2 hours so if want to take a break Reims is worth a visit (the Cathedral of Reims is on the UNESCO World Heritage List).

There’s a new ring road around Reims, so be careful which route you take as it may not be on your SatNav yet. When you see IKEA on your left continue straight on in the direction of Metz / Nancy. After Reims head towards Châlons-en-Champagne (or Châlons-sur-Marne: as it used to be called some 30 years ago (but why change the signs right away?)) taking the A4 (E17).

At exit 27 you’ll leave the motorway and continue on the N44, heading towards Châlons-en-Champagne and Vitry-le-François. Just before reaching Vitry-le-François take the second exit on the roundabout towards St-Dizier (N4).

There are several ways to go from here, so please follow your SatNav’s directions or the following: Continue to follow the N4, which will take you to the south side of St-Dizier.

Take exit (D2) towards Montier-en-Der. At the roundabout take the first exit (D2). After only 800 metres at the second roundabout take the second exit (D384). Pass Valcourt and head towards Montier-en-Der.

From the Centre of Montier-en-Der follow the D4 in the direction of La Varniere and Wassy. The D4 takes a sharp left in La Varniere, but you must go straight over the junction onto the D173 in the direction of Robert-Magny.

Follow this road for about 2 km. You’ll pass some farm buildings on your left and after a further 200 metres there’s a right-hand bend in the road. Turn left at this point onto a single-track private road.

Continue for about 100 metres and the entrance to the Petit Prêtre Lakes is on your right.