Verdun-sur-Meuse Travel Forum

I am visiting the Verdun area in Nov 2010. I want to get to a small village called Chatel Chehery, about 30 miles to the northwest of Verdun. Besides renting a car, are there any other options? Is taxi feasible? Any local buses?
Is hitchhiking from Verdun safe? (I can only drive an automatic transmission, so stick shift is out. I know renting a car would be the best, but I've never driven outside the U.S., so I am not particularly eager to try, except if there is no other good option) Is there anyone who lives in Verdun or Sainte Menehould who would be willing to give me a lift (I'd be happy to pay, of course)? Merci.

Dennis Heritage
Mentor, Ohio USA

Hi Dennis. I hope you get some help here because I couldn't find the bus service between Verdun and Chatel Chehery. It's not far but Chatel is a small village so won't have great bus service (if it has any at all).

I'm originally from Ohio and have driven all over it. I think you would have no trouble at all driving in that area of France. The terrain actually reminds me of Ohio around Mansfield and Loudenville if you ever get down there. It's very easy driving and the roads are excellent.

We use an automatic and have driven all over France with no problems. Arrange to rent the car before you leave home so you will be sure to get an automatic and so you can check prices and get the best price. If you are nervous about getting lost, get a GPS system. We used a Garmin on our last trip and it worked out well. We also use the Michelin maps and they are excellent.

Here are a couple places to check for car rentals as well as any US companies you may belong to and have any member privileges. We've used all of these and they are all excellent so take the best price. Honestly, it's only 47 kilometers which is about 30 US miles. I'd drive and then you can stop and see anything you like.

http://www.autoeurope.com/
http://www.autofrance.net/
http://www.kemwel.com/

We were in that area in May and I know you would have no trouble driving. Go to AAA and get your International driver's license to go with your valid Ohio driver's license. That gives you the translation you need in case you get stopped. We've never needed ours but always get them anyway. It's good for a full year if you have any other trips planned.

Enjoy your trip. There is an amazing amount of history there.

Looks like a car would be a good idea!

Checked the department website for buses (www.cg55.fr) and there is indeed no regular bus service between Verdun and Chatel Chehery.

The nearest you can get is the village of Varennes-en-Argonne. This bus has two runs on weekdays at 1230 and 1630 and is 'Transport á Demande' meaning you have to book a seat before 1700hrs the day before you wish to travel.

That would still leave you about 6 miles short of Chatel Chehery.

The village is just across the departmental border and is in the Ardennes dept. Unusually, there is no information I can see on their site about local transportation.

Googled 'Chatel Chehery' and up came many references to the legendary Sgt York.

If you want the best routeplanner to plan your route or just to have a look at the route, then use www.viamichelin.com.
It also provides you with touristic information, hotels, restaurants, parkings, etc.etc.