The Fountain of St. Juvin, situated between the Woods of Marcq and Cornay, is frequented by peasant pilgrims who invoke the Saint to cure their sick pigs. Failing a visit to the well, the peasants touch the shrine in the church with a piece of bread, which is afterwards given to the animals. The church contains a statue of St. Juvin, depicted with a stick in his hand and two pigs at his feet. There is a legend that St. Juvin was the disciple of St. Oricle, the Martyr of Senuc. One day when he was walking with Oricle and his sisters (Oricule and Basilique), they had to cross the Aisne near Senuc at the “Ford of Madame Anciaux.” Oricle’s sisters had lifted their skirts before entering the water, and Juvin, who was behind them, exclaimed: “Oricle, Oricle, what fine legs your sisters have.” Oricle, in anger, reprimanded Juvin severely, and condemned him to keep pigs for the rest of his life, which is why Juvin, up to his death, kept pigs in the heart of the forest, round the well which to this day bears his name.
VARENNES-EN-ARGONNE, SEEN FROM N. 46 IN THE UPPER TOWN
On the right: The ruined Church. In the foreground: The River Aire.
After visiting the church keep straight on, leaving the St. Georges road on the left, and on the right, that leading to Grandpré. After a rather steep descent, turn to the left along N. 46, at the end of the village.
Follow the Valley of the Aire to Fléville (4 km. 200 from St. Juvin), which escaped practically unscathed. 4 km. further on N. 46 passes close to Apremont, then over a ridge, from the top of which Vauquois Hill, now quite bare, comes into view on the right. From here, a rather steep descent brings the tourist to Varennes (1 km. from Fléville).