A quiet valley east of Soissons, lined with villages, churches, riverside beaches and the great memorial sites of the First World War.
Oulches-la-Vallée-Foulon
A former underground stone quarry transformed into a barracks by the German army in 1915, the Caverne du Dragon is now a major World War I museum on the Chemin des Dames. Its immersive scenography ret
View →multiple (Oulches, Cerny-en-Laonnois, Craonne...)
A 30-km ridge road overlooking the Aisne and Ailette valleys, the Chemin des Dames is one of France's most significant WWI memorial sites. Trench remnants, war cemeteries, monuments and destroyed vill
View →Chivres-Val
Built between 1877 and 1882 as part of the Séré de Rivières defensive system, Fort de Condé is an imposing pentagonal fortress covering 5 hectares, partially destroyed during World War I. Self-guided,
View →Braine
A 12th-13th century former Premonstratensian abbey church, Saint-Yved de Braine is a remarkable example of Early Gothic architecture. The burial place of the Capetian counts of Dreux, its central bell
View →Bouconville-Vauclair
A Cistercian abbey founded in 1134 by Saint Bernard, Vauclair was largely destroyed during the 1917 Battle of the Chemin des Dames. The ruins, listed as Historic Monuments, are surrounded by a magnifi
View →Soissons
Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, Soissons Cathedral impresses with its façade, soaring vaults and stained-glass windows. The north transept houses a treasure: Rubens's 'Adoration of the Shep
View →Soissons
Founded in the 11th century, one of the richest abbeys of the Middle Ages still raises its Gothic spires more than 75 metres high. Self-guided tour of the two cloisters, the refectory and a small free
View →Cerny-en-Laonnois
Listed by UNESCO in 2023, the Memorial Chapel of the Chemin des Dames, inaugurated in 1951, stands next to the French (5,200 soldiers) and German (4,346 soldiers) military cemeteries. A major site of
View →Craonne
At the eastern end of the Chemin des Dames, this plateau overlooks the destroyed village of Craonne. Highlights include a 20-metre-high observation tower, the arboretum planted on the ruins of the for
View →Soupir
At the foot of the Chemin des Dames, Soupir is home to one of the most poignant Great War burial complexes: two French national cemeteries (Soupir 1 and 2) holding more than 7,800 soldiers, plus a vas
View →Chavignon
Established in 1941 on the ruins of the Séré de Rivières fort, this German military cemetery holds 11,841 World War II soldiers. At its centre stands a 15-metre cast-iron cross and a reinforced concre
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Laffaux / Vailly-sur-Aisne
At the western end of the Chemin des Dames, the Monts de Soissons offer a memorial route punctuated by commemorative monuments (Monument des Crapouillots, National Tank Monument at nearby Berry-au-Bac
View →Soupir
A loop of around 12 km (3.5-4 h) starting from Soupir, this trail passes four military cemeteries, follows the German 'Tirpitz' trench and offers panoramic views over the Aisne valley and its villages
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Bourg-et-Comin
Opened in 1841, the Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne is a 48-km junction canal between the Canal latéral à l'Oise and the Canal latéral à l'Aisne. Bourg-et-Comin has a mooring quay with pontoon for 3 boats,
View →Vailly-sur-Aisne / Bourg-et-Comin
A peaceful canoe or kayak descent of the canalised Aisne, ideal for observing the valley's well-preserved wildlife and vegetation. Several seasonal operators offer rentals and beginner sessions betwee
View →Vailly-sur-Aisne
Built in the 12th and 13th centuries and restored after World War I, the church of Saint-Pierre in Vailly-sur-Aisne is a fine example of Early Gothic architecture in the valley. Its choir and façade a
View →Chivres-Val
A 12th-century rural church about 5 km from Vailly-sur-Aisne, Saint-Yved de Chivres-Val is an early example of Gothic art in Picardy, with a plain nave and an elegant choir.
View →Coucy-le-Château-Auffrique
Built in the 13th century by Enguerrand III, Coucy Castle was once the largest fortress in France, with a 54-metre keep. Destroyed by German forces in 1917, it remains one of Europe's most spectacular
View →Laon
Built between 1160 and 1230, Laon Cathedral is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in France, predating even Notre-Dame in Paris. Its six towers and dramatic clifftop setting overlooking the Picardy p
View →Laon
Perched 100 metres above the Picardy plain, the old town of Laon is one of the largest conservation areas in France, with more than 80 listed historic buildings. Carolingian ramparts, the Knights Temp
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Beneath Laon's medieval city winds a maze of passageways dug more than 2,000 years ago. Lantern-lit guided tours explore cisterns, casemates and former stone quarries.
View →Pierrefonds (Oise)
A medieval castle reimagined in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc for Napoleon III, Pierrefonds is a Neo-Gothic masterpiece on the edge of the Compiègne forest. A filming location for the BBC series
View →Compiègne (Oise)
Covering 14,000 hectares, the Forest of Compiègne is one of France's largest national forests. Hiking trails, cycle paths, ponds and the Clairière de l'Armistice (where WWI ended) make it a major natu
View →Reims (Marne)
Reims and its Champagne vineyards are only about 60 km from Soissons. Numerous operators (GetYourGuide, Viator) offer full-day excursions including visits to famous Champagne houses (Moët, Mercier, Ve
View →Laffaux
At the famous Laffaux crossroads, this monument honours the WWI trench-mortar gunners (the 'Crapouillots'). The area was a strategic lock at the western end of the Chemin des Dames and witnessed fierc
View →Soissons
Set in the former Saint-Léger Abbey, the municipal museum of Soissons displays archaeological collections (Gallo-Roman, Vase of Soissons), fine arts and local history. Free admission.
View →Chavonne
In Chavonne, the partially listed church (14th-century portal) sits next to the remains of a fortified castle whose triumphal arch, entrance gates and moats have been protected since 2007. A heritage
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Pont-Arcy
Pont-Arcy takes its name from the bridge crossing the Aisne. The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, heavily damaged during WWI, and the peaceful riverbanks make a pleasant stop in the heart of the valley.
View →Craonne
Inaugurated in 2013, this 20-metre tower offers a panoramic view over the Chemin des Dames and makes clear the strategic importance of high ground during World War I. Free public access.
View →Merlieux-et-Fouquerolles
The Permanent Environmental Education Centre offers nature activities around a woodland-fringed pond, two hiking circuits, an educational farm with animals and a freshwater centre. Ideal for families.
View →Mont-Notre-Dame
Destroyed in 1918 and rebuilt between 1929 and 1933 by Georges Grange and Louis Bourquin, this reinforced concrete church is a remarkable example of religious Art Deco. It stands atop Mont Haut at 122
View →Craonnelle
Inaugurated in 1928, this monument by sculptor Mathurin Moreau honours the French 36th Infantry Division, made up of many Basque soldiers. An essential stop on the memorial route of the Chemin des Dam
View →Bourg-et-Comin / Pont-Arcy / Vailly-sur-Aisne
Laid out along the towpath of the canalised Aisne and the Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne, this flat, shaded greenway is perfect for family cycling, walking and running. Easy links between the villages of t
View →Soissons
The Soissonnais Valois Tourist Office offers themed guided tours (heritage, Chemin des Dames, Champagne vineyards) in French, English, Spanish and German, including circuits accessible to people with
View →Bouconville-Vauclair
At the heart of the forest massif at the foot of the Chemin des Dames, the Vauclair national forest shelters the Cistercian abbey ruins, the Étang du Moulin pond and many marked trails rich in biodive
View →Soissons
Soissons market, lively on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, is the perfect place to discover the produce of Picardy: famous Soissons beans, cheeses, charcuterie, local fruit and vegetables.
View →Laon
Built around 1140 by the Knights Templar, this octagonal chapel is one of only three round-form Templar churches preserved in France. It is now attached to the Laon Art and Archaeology Museum.
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