Follow Our Hiking Trails and Historic

Follow our hiking trails and historic routes to immerse yourself into the History of the First World War.

www.musee-territoire-1418.com

MUSÉE TERRITOIRE 14-18 < AISNE & OISE < HAUTS-DE-FRANCE PICTOGRAMS

13 WALKS WWI Interpretation Centre Interpretive centre 14-18 Military construction Military construction Quarry Quarry Military cemetery Military cemetery Remembrance village Remembrance village Memorial Memorial Memory garden Memory garden Remains Remains Museum Museum Tourist Office Tourist Office

1 THE BOIS DES LOGES ROUTE I 6-7 CRAPEAUMESNIL 2 HISTORICAL CIRCUIT I 8-9 THIESCOURT 3 THE CITÉ SAINT-GOBAIN I 10-11 THOUROTTE 4 FIRST GERMAN VILLAGE ON THE ROAD TO PARIS I 12-13 CHIRY-OURSCAMP 5 FOLLOWING THE PATHS OF THE GREAT WAR I 14-15 TRACY-LE-MONT 6 NAMPCEL AND THE GERMAN ARMY I 16-17 NAMPCEL 7 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FRENCH SOLDIERS I 18-19 VIC-SUR-AISNE

8 GENERAL MANGIN'S OBSERVATION TOWER I 20-21 FORÊT DE RETZ

9 THE CHALMONT MOUND I 22-23 OULCHY-LE-CHÂTEAU 10 THE FOUNTAIN SAINT-OUEN I 24-25 CHIVRES-VAL 11 EXPLORING THE CHEMIN DES DAMES I 26-27 AIZY-JOUY 12 THE LOST VILLAGES TOUR I 28-29 CHEMIN DES DAMES

13 THE POSTMAN’S PATH I 30-31 0 5 10 Mi BOUCONVILLE-VAUCLAIR 0 5 10 Km

1914 April 16th-25th: Nivelle Offensive June: Battles of the Ru de Retz August 3rd: Germany declares on the Chemin des Dames and the Savière on the outskirts war on France. which ends in failure with very of the Forest of Retz. heavy losses (around 300,000 August 30th: The Germans French soldiers killed or June 1st: The Germans reach surge into the Oise and Aisne missing). First use of tanks Château-Thierry. departments. by the French army. June 9th: Beginning of the September 5th-9th: First Battle May 4th-5th: The French offensive Battle of the Matz to counter of the Marne, violent clashes resumed on the Chemin the 4th German offensive in the Forest of Retz. des Dames with the capture between Montdidier and of Craonne and the Plateau Noyon towards Compiègne. Mid-September: Withdrawal de Californie eastward. of the German forces to the right July 15th-July 31st: German bank of the Aisne river, beginning May 5th-6th: Fighting at the offensive known as “Frieden- of the “race to the sea”, stabilisation Laffaux mill on the Chemin sturm” (the Peace Offensive) of the front line and first trenches. des Dames. which should make it possible to cross the Marne and march September 12th-30th: First Battle End of May - end of June: on Paris. The Second Battle of the Chemin des Dames. Mutinies in the French army of the Marne begins. at Chemin des Dames and at End of September: Front line the rear (mutinies in Cœuvres). July 18th: Counter-offensive / COMDESIMAGES TOURISME © OISE set for a period of 30 months known as the Villers-Cotterêts between the Somme and October 23rd-26th: Battle of counter-offensive led by General the Chemin des Dames. La Malmaison: the Chemin Mangin over a 45-kilometres PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR HIKERS des Dames returns to the French long frontline from Soissons Hiking charter: 1915 at the end of the month. to Château-Thierry. Tank and air Marking of the trails January 8th-13th: Battle of Crouy, support are crucial. Respect nature, avoid excessive picking flowers known as the “Soissons Affair”. 1918 and pick up your rubbish Fédération Française March 21st: Beginning of the August 4th: The Château-Thierry de Randonnée Respect other users, the paths are not for one June 6th-16th: Battle German offensive in Picardy: barrier is removed. of Quennevières. battles of Noyon, Mont-Renaud person’s use only and Plémont. August 10th: Beginning of the Stay on the paths and use extreme caution 1916 final French offensive in the Oise when crossing roads The year 1916 was marked by April 6th-9th: German attack department. GR GRdP PR the Franco-British offensive from the Saint-Gobain forest Keep your dog on a lead nd Right on the Somme and the German and French withdrawal to September 2 : Liberation of offensive on Verdun, while the the South of the Ailette river. the Oise, the first department When changing route, respect the markings direction Aisne and Oise departments to return to French control. which take precedence over the route were temporarily spared. May 27th-28th: Lightning description in this booklet offensive by the Germans September 29th: The Hindenburg Change April 13th: First French gas on the Chemin des Dames, Line is crossed in the Aisne A few recommendations: of direction attack tests at Quennevières. capture of Soissons, Fère- department by Anglo-American Choose a hiking trail that suits your abilities en-Tardenois and pocket formed forces. Wrong 1917 between the Ourcq and the Wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking th direction February-March: German Marne as far as Château-Thierry. November 9 : Proclamation Make sure you have enough food and water retreat to the Hindenburg Line of the Weimar Republic and for the longest hiking trails to shorten the front May 31st: First engagement of abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II. (Alberich operation). French light tanks (Renault FT 17) towards Chaudun. Captain d’Avout November 11th: Armistice Other hikes in the area: April 6th: The United States commanded the last cavalry signed in the clearing of In the Oise department: https://www.oisetourisme.com/pied [in French] enters the war alongside France charge of the French army between Rethondes in the Forest In the Aisne department: www.randonner.fr [in French] and its allies. Chaudun and Berzy-le-Sec. of Compiègne. 45 1 THE BOIS DES LOGES ROUTE CRAPEAUMESNIL

6 km Bois des Loges memorial Level : Easy 1h45 43 m 3.7 mi P area, Crapeaumesnil

Thanks to the historical 1 The route starts in front of the memorial. Take the path panels installed along parallel to the edge of the “Bois des Loges”. the 6 km (3.7 mi) walk, discover the history of 2 At the junction of the two trails, take the right hand lane the “Bois des Loges” in the direction of the “Bois des Loges”. during the gruelling period of trench warfare 3 When you meet the road, follow it in the direction of Canny- from 1914 to 1917. sur-Matz. 4 Before entering the village of Canny-sur-Matz, turn left on the path leading to the woods. 5 Arriving at the “Bois de Canny”, turn left and follow the edge.

6 At the junction with the road, cross it with caution and rejoin the opposite path. Continue until you reach the “Bois de l'Eperon” crossroads. COLL. D. GUÉNAFF D. COLL.

© 7 Continue in the same direction to the village of Fresnières. Ruined church of Crapeaumesnil, 1915 8 When you reach the main road, called ”la Grande Rue”, turn left and continue until you reach the crossroads with the From September 1914, the D142 departmental road. French and German armies 9 At the crossroads, turn right and follow the D142 for 200 m tried to overtake each other (220 yd). At the cemetery, take the path on your left. towards the north-west where 0 0,5 1Mi the front line was not yet set. 10 Back on the path you started on, turn right to reach the 0 0,5 1Km 100 m This was the beginning memorial area. © 80 m www.jbcarto.com 60 m of the “Race to the Sea”. 40 m 20 m 0 m Between Beuvraignes and 0 Km 1 Km 2 Km 3 Km 4 Km 5 Km 6 Km 7 Km 8 Km Fresnières, some deadly Shelter with the bust of Kaiser Wilhelm II watching over german soldiers,1915 ﬁghting took place until the Germans captured Crapeaumesnil. Not far away from the village, the “Bois des Loges” was strongly occupied by the French in October 1914. In fact, they blocked the access to Compiègne and Paris. This position remained unchanged until the German retreat in March 1917. COLL. D. GUÉNAFF D. COLL. CCPS CCPS © © Memorial © An Infantryman’s Silhouette 67 2 HISTORICAL CIRCUIT THIESCOURT

8,5 km Churc h square, Level : Medium 2h10 137 m 5.3 mi P Thiescourt

Discover the Thiescourt 1 The walk starts at the church of Thiescourt. Go around the forest, known as Picardy’s building and take the path on the right between the new and Little Switzerland. The the old civil cemeteries. After walking along the pastures, 8.5 km (5.3 mi) walk unveils turn right to go down towards a small road. Cross the trail a multitude of historical and take the path opposite to cross the brook knows as “de remains and remarkable la Broyette”. Continue on the path until you reach the road. treasures, including former stone quarries 2 Turn left and follow the verge along the D82 departmental that served as a refuge road to the “Croix du Tilleul” crossroads. At the crossroads, for soldiers on both sides. turn onto the stone path on the right. 3 In mid-September 1914, the At the end of the path, turn left towards the massif and front was set at Thiescourt. continue in the same direction on the north side of the forest The village would be divided to reach the top of the “Bois de Loermont” hill. in two parts for almost 30 months. Gradually, the villagers in the 4 Cross the road in order to meet a path 30 m (33 yd) further French part were evacuated, on the left that leads to the hamlet of “L'Ecouvillon”. Before while the inhabitants under the houses, take the path on the right and follow the woods German occupation were taken for 700 m (770 yd). hostage, often cooped up in cellars and subjected to terrible 5 Enter the woods and go straight ahead. Then, walk along the restrictions. After a brief return old stone quarries of Saint-Albin and cross the Chapelle to calm following the German retreat in March 1917, the Saint-Albin clearing. village was at the core of the 6 offensives of March and At the intersection, turn left to go down and join the Fontaine 0 0,5 1Mi June 1918. Thiescourt was à Loups path. Continue to the right to reach the “Croix 0 0,5 1Km 200 m Blanche” crossroads. 160 m deﬁnitively liberated a few 120 m © weeks later in August 1918. www.jbcarto.com 80 m 7 At these crossroads, cross the road and take the opposite 40 m 0 m On your way, do not hesitate path. 0 Km 1 Km 2 Km 3 Km 4 Km 5 Km 6 Km 7 Km 8 Km 8,68 Km to visit the “La Botte” quarry Trench at “La Botte” quarry in Cannectancourt! The Germans 8 When this path meets the road, turn right and follow the moved into this quarry as early verge. Take the ﬁrst path to the left to cross the brook as 1914 in order to protect themselves from bombings: again. the large network of underground 9 At the end of the path, turn right to join the main road. Take pathway on the site is an iconic testimony of military development the offset path by 50 m (55 yd) on the left to reach the during trench warfare. crossroads leading to the Military Necropolis of Thiescourt. Information to "Les Souterrains 10 14-18 de la Carmoye" Return to the church. [email protected] +33 (0)6 26 58 12 23 CCPS © OT AGGLOMÉRATION DE COMPIÈGNE AGGLOMÉRATION © OT © Information panel 89 3 THE CITÉ SAINT-GOBAIN THOUROTTE

2,5 km Town hall square, Level : Very easy 1h00 12 m 1.5 mi P Thourotte

A 2.5 km (1.5 mi) route 1 The route starts at the Thourotte town hall where there with eight information are two information panels. Head towards the third one panels to help you discover by walking along “Rue Jean Jaurès” until the roundabout. the industrial upheaval experienced by the 2 Facing the panel, take a right onto “Rue de Pise”. village of Thourotte 3 in the aftermath of the Turn right towards “Place Saint-Gobain”, the venue for the First World War. company's various events and ceremonies. 4 Continue on to the Louise de Marillac chapel and the former Saint-Gobain dispensary. Cross the street and retrace your steps. 5 Take “Rue Serpente”.

6 Turn left onto “Rue de la Coopérative” with its singular archi- tecture. Continue to the Saint-Gobain factory entrance. 7 Facing the panel, turn left and then take the 3rd street on the right, “Rue de Pise”. 8 Continue to the right after the nursery and primary school, © CC2V Information Panel No. 6 an educational service also provided by the company. 9 At the roundabout, turn left onto “Rue Jean Jaurès” to get In 1919, the Saint-Gobain Group back to the starting point. set its sights on Thourotte in 0 0,1 0,2 Mi order to rebuild –in a single 0 0,1 0,2 Km © location– its factories that were www.jbcarto.com destroyed during the war. This small village beneﬁted from areas and lines of Construction of the factory and its workers' housing estate communication that aroused the company's interest. Partly ﬁnanced by war reparations, the Chantereine glass factory and the workers’ housing estate were therefore created. Thourotte was transformed and its modernism symbolises the rebirth of a region ravaged by several years of war. © CC2V © CC2V Primary school built by the company © CC2V Information Panel No. 8 10 11 4 FIRST GERMAN VILLAGE ON THE ROAD TO PARIS CHIRY-OURSCAMP

7 km Place Jehan Froissart, Level : Easy 2h00 116 m 4.3 mi P Chiry

Variant: small loop possible from numbers 1 to 10 (3.8 km/2.4 mi). This 7 km (4.3 mi) route 1 The route starts at “Place Jehan Froissart”, near the first invites you to discover the information panel. Cross “Rue Royale”. Walk along it on history of Chiry-Ourscamp, the left and pass two information panels. village where inhabitants Off-route:do not hesitate to visit the Memorial Area dedica- of the Noyon area took ted to the civilian victims of the First World War in the Oise, refuge during the Great located on “Rue du Point du Jour” on your right. War. The castle and abbey 2 Cross the street again and take “Rue du Maraiquais”. Continue walls still keep many to the crossroads with “Rue du Four”, where the war memorial marks of the bombings. is located. 3 Turn right until the next crossroads. Then continue on your left and go up “Rue de l’Église”. 4 Turn right when you reach the church and the town hall where the fourth panel is. Continue straight on “Rue du Château”. Look at the Mennechet castle on the left, whose history is told on the fifth panel. Go up this street to the crossroads. 5 Take the dirt path in front of the garrison house with the © J.-Y. BONNARD © J.-Y. th Orientation table 6 information panel located a few metres away. Continue straight on towards the orientation table and the magnificent

nd panoramic view there. Retrace your steps and turn right. On August 2 , 1914, the Climb the hill to the top. President of France declared 6 the “general mobilisation”. Follow the path to the left and pass the seventh panel on The next day, the German the Mennechet tower. 7 Empire invaded France from At the crossroads, go straight ahead. Go 150 m (160 yd) the north-east. On August 29th, further down the trail to the next sign and the orientation 0 0,5 1Mi 150 m Noyon’s inhabitants were table. Go down the dirt path. 120 m 90 m warned of the imminent 8 At the end of the path, take the street on the right. 0 0,5 1Km © 60 m www.jbcarto.com 30 m invasion of their town by 0 m 0 Km 1 Km 2 Km 3 Km 4 Km 5 Km 6 Km 6,43 K enemy troops and took refuge 9 At the crossroads, turn left onto “Rue de Mauconseil”. in Chiry-Ourscamp. This village, The Mennechet Castle The Ourscamp Abbey located in the third line of the 10 At the end of the street, cross “Rue Royale”. If you want to, trenches, ended up being you can return to the starting point on your left or discover occupied by the Germans. the Sainte-Anne chapel on your right. To reach Ourscamp, It was also divided in two parts go straight on “Rue du Lavoir”. Turn right on “Rue des Douze due to the destruction of the Setiers”. bridge over the Oise river. 11 Turn left on “Rue de la Justice”, also signposted as the D48 Although Ourscamp was road, until the “Place Saint-Eloi” where the panel about the somehow spared from the abbey and its spinning mill is located. massive destruction of 1915, 12 In front of the building, continue on the right, on “Rue de Chiry was blasted during the l'Abbaye”. German withdrawal in 1917 13 and the bombings in 1918. At the intersection, turn right where the cross and the last © OT PAYS NOYONNAIS EN VALLÉES DE L’OISE / E. KARLESKIND / E. DE L’OISE VALLÉES EN NOYONNAIS PAYS © OT panel are located and turn back to the starting point. GILSON / J.-P. VALLÉES © SOURCES ET 12 13 5 FOLLOWING THE PATHS OF THE GREAT WAR TRACY-LE-MONT

6,5 km Church square, Level : Easy 2 h 81 m 4 mi P Tracy-le-Mont

Discover the tragic history 1 The route starts behind the church of Tracy-le-Mont, in front of Tracy-le-Mont and of an information panel. Go straight ahead and go down the the civilians in this area stairs. during the war thanks 2 to this 6.5 km (4 mi) route At the junction, turn left and go straight on. Pass through marked out by information the hamlet of Bernanval. panels and silhouettes 3 Turn left towards Bimont. of French soldiers. 4 At the crossroads, go straight ahead, pass the old farm of Bimont and continue until the old cemetery. 5 Retrace your steps.

6 At the ﬁrst crossroads, turn left. At the next, turn right.

7 At the junction, turn left and continue straight ahead to reach the plateau near the National Necropolis. 8 Take the road on the right until you re-enter the village. 9 Take the ﬁrst road on the left and follow the quarries of

© CCLO Tracy-le-Mont. Then turn right and continue straight ahead Silhouette of a French soldier on the route along the main street. 10 Turn right at the site of the former Knights Templar Com- On the eve of the First World mandery. At the junction, turn left and come back towards War, Tracy-le-Mont was the church. 0 0,25 0,5 Mi 150 m a dynamic village with a 120 m 90 m 0 0,25 0,5 Km © population of about 2,000, www.jbcarto.com 60 m famous for its brush factories. 30 m 0 m On 31st August 1914, it was 0 Km 1 Km 2 Km3 Km 4 Km 5 Km 6,2 Km invaded by the Germans and ﬁnally liberated a few Tracy-le-Mont: Colonel alongside Zouaves and Infantrymen, 1915 days later, on 13th September. Located near the front line, the village was bombed several times. It was the starting point for the Battle of Quennevières in June 1915, which resulted in more than 14,000 casualties. A century later, the population of Tracy-le-Mont is still lower than before 1914. The bandaging house © COLL. D. GUÉNAFF D. © COLL. © CCLO Tracy-le-Mont wash house SMELLINCKX / G. TOURISME © OISE in the hamlet of Bernanval 14 15 6 NAMPCEL AND THE GERMAN ARMY NAMPCEL

2,5 km Place de la Mairie, Level: Very easy 1h30 51 m 1.6 mi P Nampcel

Immerse yourself in the 1 The route starts at “Place de la Mairie” [town hall square] in daily life of Nampcel during Nampcel in front of the first information panel. the German occupation on 2 this 2.5 km (1.6 mi) route Turn right onto “Rue de l'Abbé” where the second information with information panels. panel is located. 3 At the junction, turn right and continue straight ahead on this street. 4 At the second junction, across the street, take the “Pertron to Couvillot” path. Be careful, turn left to go along the wall of the building. The third information panel is located after the house, on the upward slope. 5 Go straight ahead, cross the road and follow the rural path. © CCLO German artillery bunker 6 Once off the path on the plateau, turn right and take“Rue Hatte” along the woods to reach the fourth panel. 7 Nampcel was occupied from Follow the main path down to the village where the fifth 31 August 1914 until March panel is located. 1917, when the Germans 8 withdrew to the Hindenburg Continue on the main path that branches off to the right. Line. This village at the rear Enter on the “Bois du Fay” path. Go past the Kronprinz of the front was again in the Shelter before reading the last panel on the left. To get hands of German troops back to the starting point, cross the main street, go to the 0 0,1 0,2 Mi between May and August 1918. end of the “Bois du Fay” path, then turn right and go Almost completely destroyed straight on. 0 0,1 0,2 Km during the conflict, only two 160 m © 120 m houses survived and can be www.jbcarto.com 80 m seen today. The Kronprinz 40 m 0 m Shelter is one of the many 0 Km 1 Km 2 Km 2,5 Km vestiges of the village of The woods in Nampcel Nampcel in 1915 Nampcel that prove the presence of soldiers and the proximity of the fighting. This German bunker, the regimental command centre, is one of the most imposing remnants of the Great War in the area. Information on guided tours of the Kronprinz Shelter at the

Pierrefonds Tourist Office: © CCLO +33 (0)3 44 42 81 44. COLL. D. GUÉNAFF D. COLL. COLL. D. GUÉNAFF D. COLL. Civilians in front of the church in the 1910s © © © OISETOURISME / G. SMELLINCKX / G. © OISETOURISME The Kronprinz Shelter 16 17 7 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FRENCH SOLDIERS VIC-SUR-AISNE

14 km Place du Général de Gaulle, Level: Medium 4h30 209 m 8.7 mi P Vic-sur-Aisne

This 14 km (8.7 mi) walk 1 Facing the château, turn right towards Saint-Christophe-à- combines the discovery Berry. Walk 800 m (880 yd) along “Rue Saint-Christophe”, of Vic-sur-Aisne and then turn right into “Rue de Presles”. After 100 m (110 yd), the villages marked by the Great War as well as turn left towards Berny-Rivière (country lane). After 300 m the exploration of the (330 yd) take ﬁrst track on the left, going towards a wood. local landscapes. At second fork, bear right for Chapeaumont. 2 After a gentle climb, go through chicane gate (private property on both sides of track). Follow the white pegs for 500 m (550 yd). Pass nearby Lieutenant Colonel Reboul's former command post (structure built of local stone, half burried below the ground). Turn left twice, towards the “Fontaine Sainte-Anne”. Leave through gate on left-hand side (view of fountain on the right). Go down 300 m (330 yd) towards Saint-Christophe. At bottom, before the road, turn right for 100 m (110 yd), then left. 3 When level with the church of Saint-Christophe, stand in front of war memorial depicting grandfather and grandson grieving for their lost ones, then turn right towards Berry.

© OT RETZ-EN-VALOIS © OT 4 Vic-sur-Aisne war memorial After 800 m (880 yd), take track on the right before the bridge. After 1 km (1100 yd) turn right towards Vingré. 5 Go through the village. Pass by memorial to executed soldiers th On 12 September 1914 the first on left-hand side (don’t miss the cellar in which condemned Battle of the Marne had just come men wrote their last letters) and turn right at the crossroad. 0 1 2 Mi to an end. The Germans were 0 m Go uphill, carry on right. 0 m forced to retreat northwards © 0 1 2 Km 6 www.jbcarto.com 0 m and cross the river Aisne. Its At the Broken Cross memorial (see information panel for 0 m 0 m banks are dominated by high explanation of its symbolism), turn right away from the 0 Km 2 Km 4 Km 6 Km 8 Km 10 Km 12 Km 14 Km plateaux above underground plain and cross the plateau. The Keep at Vic-sur-Aisne limestone quarries called 7 “creutes”. The quarries are Facing the wood, turn right. located just behind the front 8 line and offered excellent Going downhill, take the path on the left leading to the shelter for the soldiers. Both village. armies were instructed to hold 9 When level with the town hall of Berny, take street facing their positions and the French you and carry straight on towards Vic-sur-Aisne. On the were first to dig trenches outskirts of Berny, on left-hand side, the walls of a house to protect themselves from German shelling. The plateau have been carved by soldiers (“villa du poilu”, thoughts, of Vingré is where trench someone’s profile, etc.). Return to centre of Vic. warfare properly started. © OT RETZ-EN-VALOIS © OT – This circuit comes from randonner.fr, the website for hiking in the Aisne – RETZ-EN-VALOIS © OT Saint-Christophe-à-Berry war memorial 18 19 8 the highlightofwalk. all theway uptoGeneral from theFirst World War you tofollow landmarks 4.7 km(3mi)circuit allows the forest ofRetz. This by thisbeautifulwalkin Let yourself betempted Free accessallyear long. which leadstotheArmistice. counteroffensive ofJuly 1918 also itscrucialrole duringthe flora oftheforest ofRetz but related tothewildlifeand you willdiscover everything sound records andaspyglass, eight floors, thanks togames, of theregion. Oneachofits of thehighestpointview Observation Tower offers one of WWI, theGeneral Mangin's Rebuilt duringtheCentenary the GermansinJuly 1918. counter-attack against commanded avictorious tower thatGeneral Mangin It was from the topofthis wooden observationpost. to erect a30metres high Réaumont’’,as the‘‘tour position intheforest, known Army choseanelevated protective barrier. The French provided Paris withanatural, was nearthefront and First Worldthe it Waras a strategic positionduring The forest ofRetz occupied Mangin's Observation Tower, 021 20 FOREST OFRETZ GENERAL MANGIN'SOBSERVATION TOWER Level: Easy 5 4 3 2 1 3 mi 4,7 km On along: “Route duFaîte”. Follow thisroad for2km(1.3mi). of thewalk, turnleftalongtheroad you havejustdriven Leave your car. Oppositethesignpostmarking the beginning “Carrefour desFonds Houchard” (barrierandsignposts). Mangin’s Observation Tower). The car parkisontheleft, after fur memorial), walkverycarefully alongtherighthandsideof At theD81crossroads (opposite:the“Passant, arrête-toi” Tower. Onitseightfloors, discover thelifeofforest of of thislaststeptodiscover theGeneral Mangin’sObservation down thetrack toreturn tothestartingpoint. Make themost Retz anditshistory, aswelltherole played by thesewoods along alittlealleythatturnsintosteeperpath. towards Vivières. Turn rightatthebendanddrive2km (1.3 in thevictoryofJuly18, 1918. At theverytop, turnlefttowards theManginmemorial. Walk 100 m(110yd) after“Carrefour desMyrtilles”, turnright Take thefirst track ontherightwithred andwhiteroad markers. Directions tothestartingpoint:from theN2, take theD81 the road for50m(55yd) (danger, busyroad!) andthen fol Thiscircuit comes from – low atrack leadingdowntotheright. ther alongontheright, you can seethePintiauFountain. the leftislocated theLieutenantdeChasseval’s grave; mi) along“Route duFaîte” (inthedirection ofGeneral 1h30 General Mangin'sObservation Tower randonner.fr 69 m , thewebsite forhikingintheAisne– P

Parking of the General Mangin’s Observation Tower

© OT RETZ-EN-VALOIS 05 1Km 0,5 0 05 1Mi 0,5 0 “Passant arrête-toi” memorial © www.jbcarto.com 100 m 140 m 180 m 220 m 260 m 1 Km 1 Km © OT RETZ-EN-VALOIS 2 Km The panorama at the top of the tower 3 Km 4 Km 4,7 Km 9 THE CHALMONT MOUND OULCHY-LE-CHÂTEAU

13,1 km Place du Château, Level: Easy 1h00 155 m 8 mi P Oulchy-le-Château

Located in the heart of Markings: yellow (mountain biking). the site of the fighting Take caution on the road sections. in the spring and summer D22 1918, this route designed 1 From “Place du Château”, walk along “Avenue du Prieuré” for mountain and hybrid for 50 m (55 yd) and turn right onto the “Rue Saint-Jacques” bikes will make you which leads to the old railway line known as "Chemin de la discover one of the most Petite Ligne” [The Little Line Railway] as far as the D22 road. remarkable monuments of the Great War, both by 2 Take the road on the right for 1.5 km (1640 yd). its size and the originality of its composition. 3 At the second bend, turn right onto a countryside path. At the end of the path, turn right onto the D229. 4 The fate of the second Battle At the statue "La France", go up the Chalmont mound to the of the Marne was decided there. “Fantômes” monument. Then turn back to continue on the The counter-offensive led by D229. Generals Degoutte and Mangin 5 was launched on 18th July 1918. Turn left and enter the hamlet of Wallée via “Rue des Deux From July 23rd to 26th, on the very Fermes”. After the church, turn right in the dead end, then spot where the “Les Fantômes” right at the fork in the road (“Grand’Rue”) and continue by the [The Ghosts] monument stands Mony path towards Les Crouttes. and on the plains opposite, the Off circuit (500 m/550 yd to the rear):going straight on after the battle was raging. The Chalmont church, there are some caves with a picnic area. A peaceful mound was captured and the and highly recommended place. enemy pushed back east. 6 Continue straight on towards the hamlet of “Les Crouttes”. From 1930 to 1934, Paul 0 1 2 Mi Landowski sculpted this 7 200 m Turn left onto “Rue des Crouttes”, crossing through the hamlet 160 m 120 m monument in pink granite to 0 1 2 Km © of the same name and turn right onto the D473. www.jbcarto.com 80 m commemorate this decisive 40 m 0 m victory. Inaugurated on 21st July 8 Take the D473 (towards Cugny). At the sheds, go straight on 0 Km 2 Km 4 Km 6 Km 8 Km 10 Km 12 Km 13,1 Km 1935 by Albert Lebrun, President for 1 km (1100 yd). Inauguration of the monument by the President of France on 21st July 1935 of France, the monumental work serves as a tribute to the men 9 Turn right onto the rural path. who gave their lives for the final victory. A statue of a woman 10 When you reach the church at Cugny, turn left onto the that represents France and paved road. After entering Oulchy-le-Château, turn right the steps that bring to mind onto “Rue du Pont”, then right again onto “Rue des Fosses”. the four years of war are At the end, turn right on “Rue du Docteur Manichon”. Follow overlooked by eight figures: the hairpin bend round to the right to reach the “Rue du seven soldiers with their army Prieuré” and get back to the starting point. corps and a naked man who symbolises a hero and martyr. © S. BAUDINOT © S. – This circuit comes from randonner.fr, the website for hiking in the Aisne – COLLECTION © PRIVATE “Les Fantômes” monument 22 23 10 THE FOUNTAIN SAINT-OUEN CHIVRES-VAL

12 km Fort de Condé car park, Level: Medium 3h30 154 m 7.5 mi P Chivres-Val

Markings: yellow and green. This hike starts in front of 1 Walk in a straight line across the agricultural land of the the Fort de Condé, part of plateau, passing a calvary and cutting onto the D1890 (with the Séré de Rivières system views of the Mennejean farm and the N2). built in order to protect 2 Paris after the defeat in the Continue along a path marked out in white and red, skirting Franco-Prussian War (1870). a wood with remains of limestone quarrying and a block- house, then a heath with birches. 3 At the fork, go down the path and enjoy the characteristic view of the landscape of this hilly area. Continue to the left along a recently opened forest trail offering views of the village of Sancy-les-Cheminots, nestled at the bottom of a valley. Continue to the right towards the village: with the garden of remembrance and the Saint-Ouen fountain . 4 Take the D1580 opposite, go up on the left by the first

© B. DOYEN DOYEN © B. grassy path which passes above the cemetery and runs Sancy-les-Cheminots town hall dating from the Reconstruction along a heath. Turn right. 5 At the junction, leave the path and continue to the right, Located at the foot of the Chemin join and follow the D15 for 100 m (109 yd). des Dames, the village of Sancy 6 Cross the road (be careful!), go down the grassy path and was reduced to a wasteland in pass through a small wet valley, partly planted with poplars 1918. Paul Busquet, head of the and typical of this region. Then continue towards the wooded National Railway Office, looked slopes. for the grave of his son who died 7 in battle... This martyred village At the fork in the road, stay on the left hand path that goes was able to rise from the ashes along the edge of a field and through the woods. thanks to its adoption by the 8 When you come out of the woods, continue to stay on the French national railway workers’ right. 0 0,5 1 Mi union, the “Union Nationale 200 m 9 0 0,5 1Km © 150 m In the open field, at the crossroads, go straight on towards www.jbcarto.com des Cheminots”. So it was 100 m renamed “Sancy-les-Cheminots”. Celles-sur-Aisne. 50 m 0 m The “garden of remembrance” 10 Take the D1580 for 20 m (22 yd) and turn right onto a grassy 0 Km 2 Km 4 Km 6 Km 8 Km 10 Km 12 Km houses the grave of Lucien path. Barracks yard in the Fort de Condé Busquet, son of Paul the railway- 11 man, as well as the headstone At the hunters' hut, go up the D1890 (be careful!). of the aviator Quentin Roosevelt, son of the President of the United 12 Cross the road with care, turn left onto a path through the States... This hike also gives you woods to the plateau. the opportunity to walk in the 13 Meet up with and go down the paved road (banks cut into footsteps of Anne Morgan and the the limestone). CARD [the American Committee 14 for Devastated France], who Take the first dirt path on the right, go up the plateau. travelled Picardy driving 15 Ford model T cars starting 1917 Turn left and come back to the fort. to come to the aid of civilians. © J. DOUBLET © J. – This circuit comes from randonner.fr, the website for hiking in the Aisne – © CCVA The armored casemate of the Fort de Condé 24 25 11 as ared zone(forbidden of landare still and thousandsofhectares map have never beenrebuilt, villages thatwere wipedoffthe everyone's memory:here, many 627 26 the ChemindesDames. World War stillfloats over deadly fightingoftheFirst linked totheviolentand A very uniqueatmosphere by car attheendofyour hike. du Dragon can beaccessed the French militarycemetery Dragon [theDragon’s Cave], and Cerny, theCaverne du the chapelsofSainte-Berthe the Fort deLaMalmaison, atmosphere ofthe time: which take usbacktothe dotted withmemorialsites The ChemindesDamesis from any human activity). 16 The Nivelle Offensive of whereas Cerny andtheCaverne to walk tomost June 1940). You will beable created afterthefightingof at LaMalmaison(thelatter at Cerny andtheGermanone th April 1917lives onin Sainte-Berthe Chapel AIZY-JOUY EXPLORING THE CHEMINDESDAMES Level: of thesesites, classified Advanced

© M. AUBINIÈRE – This circuit This comes from – 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7.6 mi 12,1 km Dames andremains ofthefort. along theChemindesDames(panoramic view). the sinkhole(atypeofcave). Jointhemunicipalroad and (viewofthevalley).Guet” Continuestraight aheadskirting the rightthatleadstoplateau. Pass bythe“Rocher du then turnontotheﬁrst pathontheleft. itstraightfollow ahead. At the“Cinq Voies” crossing, take theﬁrst windingpathon At thecrossing withtheD15, take agravel road opposite, the road (becareful!)the andgodowntheD152. At thecrossing withtheD18(ChemindesDames), cross

Markings: Turn rightonto“RueSainte-Blaise”. Afterthelast house, When you getclosetothecemetery, turnlefton“Rue de continue onthe green paththatturnsleft. the church atJouyandturn left. Aizy-Jouy. Pass bytheformerschoolandvillagehall and Guet” on atthenextcrossroads. which catches upwiththeedgeofawood. Continuestraight straight aheadonthemunicipalroad thatgoesdowntowards Continue tothevillageofPargny-Filain. At thebottomofhill, before Filain, take thepathonleft From thecar park, goto thechurch atAizy. Goup“Ruedu Turn rightafter500m (546yd) tostayatthefootofhill. At thecrossroads, cross theD18again(be careful!). Continue l’Archet”, skirtaround themunicipal pond(picnicarea) and then gotothetown hall. Off thetrail: and skirtround theGermancemetery. Laon). At theintersection, turnleftonto“Route duFort” de laMalmaison(viewontherightovervalleyand Off thetrail ontheright: Cross theD15, gostraight onuntilyou reach thechurch and turnleft. Continuestraight onuphillandatthenext fork intheroad, take thepathonrighttowards theFort vil Skirt theSainte-Berthechapelandgodowntowards the lage ofFilain. in order toreach theentrance ofapath.

yellow and green. turn righttowards oneoftheinformationsites Enjoy your stay inPargny-Filain 4h00 to discover his“memorylane”. randonner.fr information siteontheChemindes 233 m , thewebsite forhikinginthe Aisne– P

Place de la Mairie, Aizy-Jouy 0,51Km 0 © M. AUBINIÈRE 1Mi 0,5 0 Panorama from LaRoyère over theChemindes Dames © www.jbcarto.com 120 m 160 m 200 m 40 m 80 m 0 m m2K m6K m1 m12Km 10Km 8Km 6Km 4Km 2Km 0 Km 12 829 28 traces itspast. site, aninformation panel of remembrance. At each destiny oftheseplaces and relive thetragic of theChemindesDames Discover thelostvillages around therebuilt chapel. let someruinsemerge in Chivy, shellcraters have its nearby spring, while is stillsuppliedwithwater from the La Vallée-Foulon wash house in themiddleofnowhere, On theedgeofasmallroad location ofthevillageAilles. that informyou oftheformer by amemorial, suchastheone are sometimesaccompanied destroyed by bombs. They vestiges ofthesevillages cultivating. There isstillonly not suitableforlivingand it isconsidered permanently the mostdevastatedareas: in the“red zone”, whichincludes After thewar, they were located the fightingandbombings. and completely destroyed during evacuated duringtheconflict on thefront line, were Verneuil and Troyon, located La Vallée-Foulon,Moussy- Chevreux, Chivy, Courtecon, The villagesofAilles, Cerny, agriculture andforestry. that were built around included several villages of theChemindesDames In 1914, thesoontobebattlefield CHEMIN DESDAMES THE LOST VILLAGES TOUR Road circuit Special feature: thiscircuit isnotaloop. Markings: followtheblueroad marking D18CD. Ailles. Martin’slocalshop 35 km(21.7mi) Postcard of Courtecon before the war 1 to4hours

© CCCD 510Km 0 510Mi 0 Panorama overlooking the OldCraonne www.jbcarto.com © 120 m 160 m 200 m 40 m 80 m 0 m m5K 0K 5K 0K 5K 0K 34Km 30Km 25Km 20Km 15Km 10Km 5Km 0 Km 13 031 30 them alittlecomfort. and packagesbringing ones through letters in touchwiththeirloved action kept soldiers of thepostman, whose Follow inthefootsteps In acompany, thepostofficer’s the mentomake itthrough. that exchanging letters allowed high commandunderstood families. Early on, themilitary at thefront line and their four years betweensoldiers exchanged over more than Billions ofletters were the news tothefront lines. trenches inorder tocarry the day. Hehadtobrave the most anticipatedevent of arrival was undoubtedly the The “PlateaudeCalifornie” Observatory THE POSTMAN'S PATH BOUCONVILLE-VAUCLAIR Level: Advanced

© CCCD 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This circuit comes from – Walk upitontheright. follow theentrance toasap(panel), exitleftagainontothe into theBordeaux trench (panel)(watchoutforthestumps!), and alongthe“BonneFontaine” pond. embankment (panel)andturnrightuntiltheD18CD. path for200m(220yd), passinginfront oftheGérardmer Dames, take thepath onyour leftfor150m(160yd) toslip to theD886. Cross itwithcaution to gobackintotheforest battery (panel)toreach the“Allée desFrères Anciaux”. table andinformationpanels). trench (panel)andcontinue lefttothecalvary (orientation and take the"ChemindesDames"forest track (startpanel). journey, One hundred metres before joiningtheD18Chemindes Then theﬁrst pathonyour left(thepondtrack) willleadyou Special feature: thiscircuit isnotaloop. Markings: postman'ssilhouette. Cross (withcaution) thisroad togodownintotheBalcon At thenextcrossing, turnleft, passthesiteofanoldGerman Start from thecar parkofthe Vauclair Abbey, cross theroad “ Turn lefttocross (withcaution) themainroad andreach going upbetweenmeadows and Vieux Craonne toarrive at thebeginningofarboretum. Go downthepathtorightofroad andturnlefttwice, Place delaCroisette” (startingpanel). For thereturn (6.2 miRT) 10,5 kmAR retrace your steps! randonner.fr 4h00 , thewebsite forhikingintheAisne– 103 m P

Parking of the Vauclair Abbey

REIMS

PARIS

How to discover the Musée Territoire 14-18 By car : 1 hour from Paris, 1 hour 30 from Lille, 30 minutes from Reims By train : Numerous services to the stations of Compiègne, Noyon, Villers-Cotterêts, Soissons and Laon By plane : 1 hour from Beauvais Airport and Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport

For more information get in touch with our local Tourist Offices (see below) and visit our website: en.musee-territoire-1418.fr CCPS ©

TO PIERREFONDS, LISIÈRES DE L’OISE TO RETZ-EN-VALOIS 1 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville - 60350 Pierrefonds 6 Place Aristide Briand - 02600 Villers-Cotterêts +33 (0)3 44 42 81 44 +33 (0)3 23 96 55 10 [email protected] [email protected] www.destination-pierrefonds.fr www.tourisme-villers-cotterets.fr During the Summer season: TO PAYS DE LAON Summer Tourist Office Hôtel Dieu, Place du Parvis Camping La Croix du Vieux Pont Gautier de Mortagne - 02000 Laon 8, rue de la Fabrique - 02290 Berny-Rivière +33 (0)3 23 20 28 62 www.tourisme-paysdelaon.com TO VAL DE L’AISNE Fort de Condé - 02880 Chivres-Val TO PAYS NOYONNAIS +33 (0)3 23 54 40 00 EN VALLÉES DE L’OISE [email protected] Place Bertrand Labarre - 60400 Noyon + TO RÉGION DE COMPIÈGNE 2 bis Place Saint-Eloi - 60138 Chiry-Ourscamp Place de l’Hôtel de Ville - 60200 Compiègne +33 (0)3 44 44 21 88 +33 (0)3 44 40 01 00 [email protected] [email protected] www.noyon-tourisme.com www.compiegne-tourisme.fr GRAPHIC DESIGN: EDITIONS 360 FOR JB CARTO.