Land of the Splingues

Chastrès was, like many villages in the area, inhabited during Roman times. The plain that extends to Thy-le-Château, where the Gallo-Roman villa of Gau was located, was crossed by the Roman road between Bavai and Trier. The walk takes you through fields towards the chapel ‘Notre-Dame des Affligés’, in the hamlet ‘les Splingues’. People prayed to the virgin for help against headaches, and according to tradition, women would throw one of their hairpins on the ground after the prayer. Another version states that the pins (or épingles, hence the name) were thrown by girls hoping to marry in the same year. This highlight provides a beautiful view of the region. The walk continues to a cave dedicated to Notre-Dame de Lourdes. The cave is located in a park and is 13 meters deep and 11 meters wide.