Unfortunate restorations were carried out in 1764 by Cellier Delatour, whose name appears on the background of the third picture. The date of the work (“A.D. 1.000.500.23.”) is inscribed on each of the curtains of the four pilasters which surround it. The 18th century pulpit is almost intact. Behind the church there is a fine view over the Heights of the Meuse towards Apremont. In the village square is the old guard-house with an arcade, and some old houses, most of which are uninhabitable. [Illustration: ENTRANCE TO A TUNNEL IN THE OLD CHÂTEAU (_since destroyed by fire_)] At the end of the village, in the direction of Hattonville, are the ruins of the old château. The cellars served as bomb-proof shelters, the walls being several yards thick. From the terrace of the château is seen the immense Plain of Woëvre—partly occupied by the Germans from September, 1914. The Woëvre Plain The Woëvre forms a district by itself, geologically rather than geographically, and corresponds approximately to the “_pays vabrensis_” of the Merovingians. It lies between the Heights of the Meuse and Moselle. The soil of marl and clay becomes a slough after rain, and numerous pools and hidden sheets of water, known locally as “_gorittis_,” “_noues_,” or “_crachettes_,” make the ground slippery and treacherous. Here may be followed step by step the stages of the Franco-American offensive of September, 1918 (_see pp. 18–20_), which reduced the whole salient of St. Mihiel, and advanced the lines several kilometres to the out-works of the Forts of Metz, thus placing the Allied forces in strong positions in readiness for the new offensive planned for November 16, which the signing of the Armistice on November 11 prevented from being carried out to overwhelming victory. [Illustration: VIGNEULLES _Entrance to concrete shelter near the Church, at the side of the road_.] _After visiting Hattonchâtel, proceed to_ =Vigneulles= _by a road which describes a large loop_. _Leaving Hattonchâtel_, a German cemetery _will be seen on the left, beside the village cemetery_. Vigneulles is a country town of considerable importance, built on the western fringe of the Woëvre Plain, at the foot of the chain of hills which separates the latter from the Valley of the Meuse. In the original plan of mobilisation it was to be the main French Headquarters. Numerous houses have been destroyed. _From Vigneulles to St. Mihiel there is a choice of two roads_: one, direct, via Chaillon (_Itinerary A, p. 41_); the other, less direct, passes through Apremont, Brûlé Wood and Ailly Wood, and is much more interesting (_Itinerary B, p. 42_). A.—From Vigneulles to St. Mihiel, via Chaillon _At Vigneulles take G.C.D. 10 on the left, 100 yards from the church, and follow it for about 500 yards, then take G.C. 9 on the right, which passes through the village of_ Creüe.