The best walks and hikes around Clermont-En-Argonne

https://verdun1916.eu/?p=5031 The Kaisertunnel is part of a series of three tunnels. In the north the Ortlieb tunnel, in the middle the Kaisertunnel and in the south, closest to the front line, the Verbindungs- or Bataillonstunnel. The Kaisertunnel was the first to be built by the Prussian infantry in late 1915, early 1916, with the intention of connecting the Meurisson valley with the front. The tunnel is 350 m long, but with all the adjacent rooms and side tunnels the length becomes 455 m. A characteristic of the Kaisertunnel, but also of other German tunnels, is the S-bend that is made halfway. This is not only to prevent an enemy who has penetrated from shooting through the entire tunnel, but especially to break the shock wave of a possible explosion. French tunnels are generally straight. The work on the Kaisertunnel started as purely manual work, but after an electrical system was installed in the southern part of the tunnel, drilling machines were also used. Water supply in the tunnel was possible from a nearby source in the Meurissonsdal. In the southern end of the tunnel, in a corridor that descends to the west, the former passage to the Verbindungs or Bataillonstunnel can still be seen. The connection has collapsed over a length of several dozen meters. In the northern part of the Kaisertunnel, a hospital with an operating room was created. Injured people could go to bed here very extremes. The remains of the many facilities (first aid station with operating room, the telephone exchange, electricity station, etc.) are still visible today.

Open-air museum depicting life in the trenches

The exterior is completely fenced, the entrance is no longer even visible, although apparently a historical monument. A shame to leave this site abandoned...

The Hermitage of Saint-Rouin is a modern chapel built on the site of an ancient hermitage where Saint-Rouin, founder of the Beaulieu-en-Argonne abbey, lived in the 7th century. The chapel, designed by the architect and Dominican friar L.-B. Rayssiguier, is a striking example of concrete architecture with geometric shapes and colorful stained glass windows. You can admire the minimalist interior and the altar made of sandstone blocks, as well as the 17th century altarpiece of the Assumption located in the enclosure. The Hermitage of Saint-Rouin is a place of pilgrimage and celebration every year on September 17, the feast day of Saint-Rouin. You can also enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding forest and the panoramic views from the hilltop. The Hermitage of Saint-Rouin is a hidden gem that will inspire you with its history and art.

This viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the village of Passavant-en-Argonne, famous for its pottery and half-timbered houses. You can follow the signs to “Viewpoint” and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The best time to visit is spring or fall, when the colors are more vibrant.

The Forester Cemetery is dedicated to soldiers who died during the First World War. Located in the heart of the Argonne forest, this cemetery is home to 2,000 tombs, including ten of Garibaldians. The particularity of this place is that each grave is decorated with a hydrangea bush, creating a colorful contrast with the greenery of the forest. You can also explore the nearby sites of Haute Chevauchée, such as the Ossuary Monument, the Génie Ravine and the Kaiser Tunnel, where you can learn more about the battles that took place in the region. A hike in the surrounding area is sure to immerse you in the history and beauty of Argonne.

If you are looking for a historic and adventurous hike in the Argonne Forest, you can explore the Kaiser Tunnel near Lachalade. This tunnel was built by the German army during the First World War to allow the movement of troops and supplies without being detected by the enemy. The tunnel is approximately 350 meters long and has various facilities such as a hospital, kitchen and generator room. You can access the tunnel through the north entrance or the south entrance, both of which are classified as historical monuments. The tunnel has been closed to the public since 2012 for security reasons, but you can still admire its impressive structure and imagine the life of the soldiers who went through it. The Kaiser Tunnel is part of a network of other tunnels and trenches that you can also visit in the region.

In the 7th century, Beaulieu-en-Argonne already had an abbey, founded by a Scottish monk, Saint-Rouin, who gave his name to the village church. Part of the abbey still remains, including an old oak press from the 13th century, of impressive dimensions: it is one of the largest in Europe and weighs 30 tonnes! Next to it, a fresco represents the village as it was in 1789. Outside, there are some traces of the ancient walls of the abbey.